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The world map is changing: The UN has backed replacing the 500-year-old Mercator projection with the accurate Equal Earth projection (lemmy.world)

submitted 4 days ago by time2lose@lemmy.world to c/interestingasfuck@lemmy.world

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[–] Viceversa@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago (2 children)

What better alternative projection they could use at the time for navigation?

[–] Kobibi@sh.itjust.works 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I don't know? That's not what we're talking about. We're talking about the UN using it not for navigation in 2026

[–] Viceversa@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

But at the same time, the use of the Mercator as the standard default map in situations that have nothing to do with ocean navigation for literally hundreds of years

My question continues that thread.
And my point (subtle it may be) is that when something is wildly useful, it sticks.
Despite not being universally good.

And to change from it you need more than just a slight advantage.
That's why the UN didn't think about changing map projection.

[–] ayyy@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

You might note that the present is, in fact, not 500 years ago.

[–] Viceversa@lemmy.world 0 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Is that the answer to my question?

[–] ayyy@sh.itjust.works 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

If you’re asking me to tell you the best way to navigate 500 years ago, I can’t help you because I’m not a historian. The point is that really has absolutely no bearing on how we should use maps today in the present.

[–] Viceversa@lemmy.world 0 points 4 days ago (1 children)

And the present doesn't affect the past.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

from the perspective of an art conservationist i'm not entirely sure i agree.