Platial News and Neogeography

Teenage Confessions

This morning I discovered a new project on Platial that I really love: Teen Confessions Through the Ages. The idea is wonderful. Teenagers and Adults have a tough time talking face to face, but they have a lot of things to talk about. This map blog lets teens and grown ups tell stories about themselves for mutual benefit without the awkwardness of having to be face to face.

The maps are new and ripe for stories. Tell the world about your practical jokes, embarassing teenage crushes, and favorite hangouts.

From the blog:

"Kids and adults are nosy about each other — especially when it comes to the teenage years.

Teenagers can’t always count on the adults in their lives giving candid answers when they ask, “So, when you were my age, what was it like for you?”

Adults often get blank stares when they ask kids, point blank, “What’s up,” or disinterest when they try to serve up stories about when they were teenagers.

Here at this blog, kids can post their teenage experiences and adults can recall theirs for a funny, poignant or informative read and without the pressure or awkwardness that often comes with in-person, one-on-one exchanges of this sort."

Map-O-Sin

Forbes' Map-O-Sin details the top 10 cities for each of the 7 traditionally deadly sins. Some of the data parsing methods might be contentious, like measuring lustiness by adding up all the reported contraceptive purchases, but all in all, it's a fun read, especially if your city is represented.

Growing Roads

Cities are like plants because they both develop by continually following a principle known as local optimisation. This principle is simply based on the desire to connect to existing infrastructure. I'd suggest that technology, business and even culture itself also follow this general rule of thumb. Blaze your own trail, but keep it within reach. The original article has some specific details that I know you can't live without.

New City @ MoMA

Platial + Widgetbox + Facebook

I have been experimenting with using Widgetbox to put Platial Maps on Facebook. I'm working on a little how-to video for everyone, but in the meantime you can try out the ones we have up already. Thanks to the people who made these great maps.

Recordstore Globetrotter, an awesome map of indie record stores
Geographically-Named Bands
Favorite Local Yarn Shops
The Kitty Cat Map
Shark Attack Map

Webby 2008 Honoree

Platial was named a Webby Honoree, at first I thought we were up to win it and a nominee, but in fact, we are only among the honorees, so you can't vote for us. It's still to fun to vote, though! Go have a look and cast your ballots.

Platial Board Member, Clay Shirky on The Colbert Report

Here Comes Everybody...

Romanitas

Romanitas is a new site all about ancient Rome, using Platial maps. Any Classicists out there should check out this brand new project. They're looking for ideas and collecting pictures for the map in their Flickr group.

Elisabeth Lecourt's Map Garments

Well, ok, *garments* with air quotes. These life size psuedo-origami pieces are pretty cool.