Maps & Virtual Spaces

In Chapter 8 of The Digital Humanities Coursebook, titled "Mapping and GIS", the concepts of digital maps and geographic information systems were introduced. I found this section of the textbook to be quite dense, and mildly confusing to follow. I was able to understand that maps compile information into multiple layers, and each layer must be correctly aligned for it to work effectively. Johanna Drucker described mapping as, "an integral part of political and social work with statistical information. They address demographics, resource management, infrastructure development, security concerns, and other issues. All of these have a human dimension, of course, but they tend to be far from the study of cultural artifacts and events that are central to the humanities... While mapping platforms vary in complexity, all make use of a base-map, data points, and labels. Many use layers, legends (those keys to symbols that indicate landmarks and other features), and customizable graphic elements" (Drucker 130).

In Chapter 9 of The Digital Humanities Coursebook, titled "Three-dimensional and virtual models", Drucker tackled the concepts of 3-D modeling and the creation of virtual spaces. While I know the impact of three-dimensional objects in a digital format when it comes to visualizing a complete project, I did not know a majority of the technical aspects that went into creating them. Drucker described this importance as, "the production of virtual and three-dimensional (3-D) models has provided scholars whose research focuses on the built environment with new intellectual and technical tools. These new modes come with challenges related to verifiability, truth, accuracy, and uncertainty. The creation of 3-D projects is time consuming, and also puts a hefty burden on storage and maintenance" (Drucker 151). Though I have a background in technical skills and the overall importance of technical advances in the workplace, this chapter dove into concepts and building components that I have never been exposed to previously.


Virtual tourism is a concept that is intensely new, especially in comparison to traditional tourism by means of physical transportation. Visual tourism can take many different forms, such as a visual database or through Virtual Reality. The Maine Sound & Story combines the heritage of those from the Maine coast, and represents their stories in both text and audio formats, typically accompanied by a photo of the person telling the story. Google Arts & Culture gives the general public an ability to transport themselves, at least visually, to a location, and can undertake any bit of knowledge that the experience has to offer. I explored the Van Gogh Exhibit on this interface, and was able to view famous paintings by Van Gogh in the original mediums he created them in, though through a virtual representation. I felt more inspired by Maine Sound & Story, as there was more direct ties to the heritage and history of the historic seacoast line of Maine.