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this post was submitted on 08 Sep 2026
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Also, unless you're using a paper map, you should never have to see a flat map projection.
We all carry around supercomputers in our pockets that can easily do the math to render a globe. If we want to use a bigger screen, they have even more powerful processors.
Does anybody actually use paper maps at all anymore? I guess sometimes people mount them on the wall and point at them, but I mean using a map to calculate distance, find a path, etc.
What's ridiculous is that even though computers should be rendering the world as a globe, some websites (even Google Maps) still sometimes use Mercator. It's especially ridiculous when it's something like a flight-tracking website where the flight is going in a straight line on the globe, but is rendered as a curved path on a stupid map projection.
I mean the good thing about a flat projection is that you can see everything at once. When you're comparing data points of different countries it is nice to see them on a flat map. Neither the actual size nor the angles really matter in that case.
Why would you need a map for that? That seems like something where a table is more useful.
It's more appealing visually and generally easier to navigate because you don't need to search a country on the list, it's easier to find it on a map
To be noted: usually those maps are paired with a table and aren't made to give precise information
if i'm going hiking, yes. i don't trust the phone to maintain a connection in the wild.
If you're going hiking, I'm betting your map isn't a world map, therefore the projection isn't an issue.
For most navigation people are going less than 50 miles projecting it onto a virtual globe would be pointless and not in any way shape or form beneficial.
So, you're saying a more-or-less flat section of a globe should seem flat. Ok... and?
You said
"that even though computers should be rendering the world as a globe,"
They shouldn't a projection is actually useful for most people in most instances. Your screen is flat and rendering a 3D image within it would actually mean you can use less of it and see less information in a more confusing view which would ultimately be weird and pointless to the people viewing mostly what is in fact stylized data like which roads cross.
Your screen is flat, and the surface of the planet is essentially flat. If a program starts with a mercator projection and zooms in on a particular area it's always going to be a distorted view.
Whaat? That's nonsense.
Why do you think literally every mapping app on earth shows a projection onto the given x pixels by y pixels rather than a 3D rendering of a curved space again?
They don't.
which don't?