-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: : tough without a map - Youtube video
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:03:52 -0700
From: Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Amen, Alice.
As someone who worked in showbiz in years gone by, I would mention, in the wider sense, that contestants in such pageants are expected to utter wisdom as well as to project glamour. I worked backstage in several such pageants, and the pressure on the contestants is terrible. Yet, their ambitions, and especially those of their parents, drive them forward. Also, those who prep the contestants on 'wisdom' matters are not necessarily the best and brightest.
It's no secret that geographic illiteracy is not unique to the USA. I remember encountering a native person in Lincoln, England who could not tell me where the cathedral was, even though that ancient structure dominates the town. (Thus I was able to navigate to it in due course without a map; benefit of the doubt tells me that this person probably didn't know the way because she said she'd 'never been up there'.)
Geographic illiteracy is often a matter of disinterest, combined with lack of curiosity. Both are rampant today, and on an international basis, I should think.
Brian P. Bach
Documents/Maps
Brooks Library
Central Washington University
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7548
USA
[log in to unmask]
http://www.amazon.com/Calcuttas-Edifice-Buildings-Great-City/dp/8129104156
>>> Maps-L <[log in to unmask]> 8/28/2007 9:34 AM >>>
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: : tough without a map - Youtube video
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:19:57 -0400
From: [log in to unmask]
To: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum <[log in to unmask]>
Hey, give her credit, she was right. "US Americans" don't have maps, cannot
read maps, are not taught about maps, don't understand maps as research
tools, and as one blogger says think they are going uphill when they follow
the north arrow. The map librarians have their work cut out for themselves.
We can always hope the Geography Alliances in each state will make a
difference in teaching school geography, and hopefully that includes
maps..., but who knows?
Alice C. Hudson
Chief, The Lionel Pincus & Princess Firyal Map Division
The Humanities and Social Sciences Library
The New York Public Library
5th Avenue & 42nd Street, Room 117
New York, NY 10018-2788
[log in to unmask], 212-930-0589, fax 212-930-0027
Hours: 1-7:30 Tu & Wed, 1-6 Thurs-Sat. Closed Sun, Mon.
http://nypl.org/research/chss/map/map.html
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