This Ted Talk by David McCandless was not only informational but also inspirational. He highlighted the essence of a map and how organised data or information can be expressed in the most articulate way possible. I learnt not only the hidden patterns that can be seen only after you visualise a map but also that data is the new soil of today- “a fertile creative medium”. The purpose of watching the Ted Talk was two fold, firstly it emphasised the need to ask the right questions in the right kind of way. This is because visual information is effortless and pours in the way you absorb it. Secondly maps integrate the language of the eye with the language of the mind- each enhancing the other. Since new languages alter our perspectives and change our views this integration is essential in our perception of facts such as viewing the US as a military machine. There are multiple other factors such as its 8th rank in the world GDP that can change our perspective of this matter. Lastly clear information design can also solve a multitude of problems. To balance out the overload of skepticism in today’s world, information design can bring clarity to all such problems.
