Our constucted world is a replica of our natural biology. Everything needs structure, systems, connections, matter, or data, to make a cohesive unit. Alan McConchie and Beth Schechter point out in there insanely creative webpages that the body and web maps share interatcing components that are often found intertwining. Such as the central nervous system and mapping units like styles, tiles, and servers. We are very privileged to live in a world where almost everything can be accessed with a simple search. I barely remember a world without web mapping, like mapquest and google maps, even though it was not until 2005 that these technologies began to be mastered. This monitoring systems can do alot more than give directions. People have implement these technologies as a way to better our understanding of the world; these maps can be found in argiculture managment, precision farming, climate change, methane leaks, sea level, pinterest, instagram, and so much more. My mother actually pointed to me to many of these maps, due to her current job placement at ESRI. She inspired to me to think about all the different ways maps can interact with anthropogical work. Although one example in my researching had me intrigued to learn more.
Californias love their wine, and the wonderful Salinas Valley offers an excellent placement for own our vineyards. In 1998, one vineyard implimented GIS, which would look at the irrigation systems and as well as indicate the frost zones. These technologies only developed and cultivated a precision farming operation. They now could look at the soil moisture levels, the company of harmful bugs, prospective placements, and even harvesting tactics. The entire vineyard was now under the operation of GIS. It no longer was about simply knowing your land and plants, but instead hyperfocusing this view into the soil and every aspect of the happenings of the vineyard.
It is so fasinating seeing how different people interact with technology. We are monitoring everything down to our daily movement. These maps give us so much power, but what are we to do with it. I hope that these maps will help the minds and actions of those desperate for change. They are a resource of growth and a proven help in prosperity. I can’t wait to learn how to develop and interact with our own maps and data! GIS day here we come!
Resource: http://www.esri.com/esri-news/arcnews/fall13articles/world-class-vineyard-uses-gis-to-finetune-all-its-operations