5 ms·

What does "trust the map over the terrain" mean?

• beachstartup 12y ago
  when the map tells you one thing, and your eyes tell you another thing, go with what your eyes tell you, because the map is full of shit. you would be surprised how often people trust "the map" more than reality. "the map" can be anything, i.e. an instruction manual, an authority figure, folklore, a rumor, whatever.
  • david-given 12y ago
    I'd stop and get a third opinion --- because sometimes my eyes are lying.
    • stefs 12y ago
      one more beer, please
  • melvinmt 12y ago
    > go with what your eyes tell you, but your eyes are also part of the map…
  • Intermernet 12y ago
    Except if you're a pilot flying in low visibility. Then you trust the map, not the terrain (mainly as the terrain is invisible). VFR vs. IFR and all that.
    • loopbit 12y ago
      SO your point is that you trust the map only when there's no other option.
    • ripter 12y ago
      In that case your eyes are telling you that they can't see anything and you need to use the map. Eyes still win!
  • tlear 12y ago
    My dad's friend destroyed film he took of his wedding like that. He developed it himself, water felt hot to his finger but thermometer showed it right. He cooked it.. thermometer was broken. His wife was not amused!
• RickHull 12y ago
  http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/The_map_is_not_the_territory http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/The_map_is_not_the_territory
  • sthreet 12y ago
    Ah, ok. Thanks. Reminded me of thinking about what if you targeted a laser on a map and it burned physical terrain.