Category Archives: Geography

Footprints of Boston

Posted on March 3, 2011 by

We mapmakers earn our keep by somehow adding value to raw geographic data; that is, the craft requires more than just plotting the location of objects on the Earth’s surface. But sometimes it’s hard to compete with the simple elegance … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Geography | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Light Drawing Massachusetts

Posted on February 24, 2011 by

There’s a debate—at least in academic cartography—about what constitutes a map. The first lecture in the introductory course at UW-Madison starts with a slideshow challenging students to determine which images are maps and which are not. Among the “traps” designed … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography, Photography, Unusual Medium | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Light Drawing Massachusetts

Bostovalentinography

Posted on February 14, 2011 by

9,872 smoots. That’s how far I walked to make this deformed heart map for Valentine’s Day. That’s a GPS track of my path around Boston and Cambridge (and a bit of Somerville) to trace something like a heart shape. Over … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography, Holiday, Photography, Seasonal | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

The Mighty Charles

Posted on February 11, 2011 by

I have a special place reserved in my heart for the Charles River. I love it. Sure, sure, most people do, right? It’s a significant river. Heck, Paul Revere crossed that river while embarking on his famous midnight ride. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography, Transportation | Tagged , | 2 Comments

(Cartographic) Greetings from Boston

Posted on January 10, 2011 by

Ah, postcards. The travel microblogs of yore. For decades they were the preferred (if not only) method for sending updates and short messages from near and far to friends and family. If you ever find yourself bored in an antique … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Geography, Historical, Transportation | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

A Bostonian’s Idea of the United States of America

Posted on January 4, 2011 by

It’s hard to argue that humility is one of Bostonians’ virtues. Hub of the entire freaking universe? Yikes. No more humble, of course, is the object of our inferiority complex, New York. With massive pride comes a (geographically, at least) … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography, Historical | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Kevin Lynch & The Imageable Boston

Posted on December 15, 2010 by

You’re walking around Boston and a friendly stranger approaches you. “Say, I’m new in town. What neighborhood is this?” she asks. You furrow your brow, laugh nervously and say, “Back Bay? South End? Possibly both… or neither.” Then, for fear … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography, Historical, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments