Maps can serve all kinds of purposes, some for peace, others for commerce, but all function by communicating ideas about land. In this case, I find the Global Incident Map quite disturbing, mainly because of how it filters and defines incidents of “suspicious” activity. It is a very fearful portrait of the world, through the lens of “security” professionals. And why not? Those who prosper by peddling fear need to keep us informed of how dangerous the world is so we’ll buy more security devices and weapons, like the security camera companies in cahoots with insurers to make people think surveillance makes them safer (as opposed to simpler things like street lights).
Wouldn’t it be nice to see a map that displayed every act of kindness? Maybe I’m naive, but I think the world is actually an incredibly safe place. It’s just that our perception of the future is one that’s filled with danger because we are unable to accept the fact that the universe is impermanent.
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