Maps and virtual spaces

 Maps are useful to include in digital humanities projects as it can be essential to the research, a visual presentation, or a figure of the research. One may include a map in a project to analyze aspects of spatial experiences- such as what natural and social aspects define a region, how far two points are from one another, and how long it would take to cross this distance. The textbook lists reasons why someone would include a map in a project. These reasons include narrate an event using a map to present the argument, interpret a map as a historical and critical form, create a map from place-based references, or to employ coordinate data or use the map as a picture. I like the understanding that maps can either be used to work as a visual component of the research or be a necessary component and evidence for the research in itself. 

The textbook introduces GIS mapping: geographical informational systems. GIS integrates maps with data for either presentation or analysis purposes. One thing that was mentioned was how GIS mapping can help us clearly visually see the effects of social injustice issues. One example was mapping the disproportionate effects of people of color to toxic pollution (Samantha Teixara and Anita Zubieri 2016). Furthermore, while maps typically deal with standard measures, we can also map non-standard measures like spatial experience. This is called non-representational geography, which is the "idea of modeling space from experience" (142) For example, the length of a block can differ when we look at the experience of a woman walking alone at night, versus the experience of a young man in the morning. However, the text includes that mapping is "less effective in showing the qualitative experience of space" (147). 

Virtual and 3-d models “takes spatial experience into a rendered representation that allows questions to be asked about the built environment that cannot be posed in other ways” (152). While 2-d models are useful for presenting and analyzing data, 3-d models allow readers and researchers to experience a site virtually- this can lead to further research questions and conclusions. Cultural and heritage sites are very powerful uses these types of models. For instance, they allow us to recognize “the cultural value of [...] structures within their original society” (152). The text provides information into the steps necessary in creating a virtual model, which is an extensive and labor-intensive process. When it comes to cultural sites, there is a concern for “whose voice and perspective are doing the narrative” (161). Furthermore, a challenge is to “keep all cultural experience from becoming a form of tourism” (168). Respect for these communities should be placed on the forefront as historical communities and objects should be researched and analyzed with the understanding virtual and 3-D models cannot fully encapsulate the full experience.  

For my group's digital curation project, we are helping the Maine Mill compile data for the Lewiston Strong memorial. Although this project is not 3-D or virtual, the idea of having respect for a community comes into play. This topic is very sensitive and heavy, so using these discrepancies from the text regarding cultural histories and heritage will be very useful in applying them to our project.