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Most likely a result of the flaws of the Mercator projection (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercator_projection#Mathematics_of_the_Mercator_projection https://e
by lquist 13y ago
Most likely a result of the flaws of the Mercator projection (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercator_projection#Mathematics_of_the_Mercator_projection https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercator_projection#Mathematic...).
- yellowbkpk 13y agoSaying it's a result of a flaw in the Mercator projection is like saying zero being undefined is a flaw of the logarithm scale: it's not a flaw, it's a property. If the projection doesn't work for your usecase, don't use it.
- minikites 13y agoOkay, but the Mercator projection is/was used very frequently in schools where there's isn't a choice in the matter. It's such a widespread misconception and most people aren't taught about how map projections work so it's a part of the general public consciousness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8zBC2dvERM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8zBC2dvERM
- baddox 13y agoNo, I would say that area distortion is a flaw in the Mercator projection. Just because all map projections inevitably have flaws doesn't mean that they're not flaws. If you could have a map projection with no distortions, you would probably use it exclusively.
- b0rsuk 13y agoThe goal of a map is to represent reality and to make it easier to orient yourself. The goal of math is often just math. Eventually, someone finds a way to utilize some esoteric calculations and properties in a field or two. No one is bothered that math is often out of sync with perceivable (in the Common Sense way, at least) world. But Mercator's projection can be misleading. It's not like a metro map - it looks quite natural and people assume it can be taken literally.
- gverri 13y agoI love how you can learn many things from Hacker News comments. Thank you very much sir.