Map Fact, Map Fiction

The power to manipulate data is one of the biggest abilities a cartographer has. The data is all there but can easily be shifted and tweaked to show, really, whatever it is that one wants to show. A cartographer also has the ability to create maps with made up data, inaccurate data or irrelevant data. This bring forth the question of cartographic ethics. When and where is it ok to use this false data and when it is not ok. A map can be made to show virtually everything and sometimes it is ok to make some maps that do not show hard, set facts. One example of this off of the top of my head is all of the maps we looked at on strangemaps.com. On this site the map titled "The World According to Dubya", referring to the president, is a perfect example. It is a cartoon, obviously that is meant to convey humor to an audience of liberals. Something like this is obviously a joke and meant to be looked upon with humor. But what happen when the map is NOT obviously a joke? A product that shows a species population in a given area. A map like that would require accurate data that is properly depicted. To do otherwise, to manipulate that data to show something it is not intended to is wrong and could have a definite negative effect on the species in question. Another thing about inaccurate maps with poor data is the fact that to the reader, it gives false knowledge and the untrained, unknowing will believe whatever they are looking at if it is conveyed in a cohesive, professional manner. If it looks good, many people will trust its accuracy. The bottom line is that a cartographer has a responsibility to their clients and general audience to depict fact accurately. As I stated above, there are times and places for variance from this rule but it should be obviously a joke or clearly stated that the accuracy of a project is questionable. In a way cartography is a power and like any other power, it should not be abused.