Editing 503: Terminology
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
+ | {{Incomplete|Where is the X?}} | ||
+ | This comic shows a map of the world. The X in the center, labeled "ME", indicats [[Randall]]'s location in the U.S., and two arrows point west and east from it. The map uses a format, popular in America, which places the American continents centrally, therefore splitting Asia, (parodied by [http://weknowmemes.com/tag/you-cut-asia-in-half/ "you-cut-asia-in-half"]). The comic then shows Europe with the title "The West" as it is commonly referred to, despite being located to the east of Randall, and vice versa for Asia. Randall is therefore annoyed with the common terms "The West" and "The East" referring to locations east and west of him respectively. | ||
− | + | The east and west are defined in geographical term as a reference from zero {{w|Longitude}} also known as the {{w|Prime meridian}} which runs though Greenwich, London, United Kingdom. {{w|Western Hemisphere}} and {{w|Eastern Hemisphere}} are derrived from that reference of centering a map around the {{w|Prime meridian}}. | |
− | "The East" and " | + | The term "The East" and "The West" has then later been expanded or (mis-)appropriated to include references to trade and political alliances. |
− | + | The fact that zero longitude is running though London is an artifact of that the British was primary force in exploring the world at the time of drawing the modern maps of the world, and hence most maps was created by the British, with England being the center. The east and west should simply be viewed as a reference to map coordinates and not as relative to where you are as suggested by the comic. In short America-centered map does not redefine "East" or "West" anymore than [http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__2Vhj2G5F68/TJEIpsuqUCI/AAAAAAAAAG0/r4qa6dHGkbM/s1600/blog.gif Australian up-side-down] {{w|Reversed map}} maps redefining what is North or South. | |
− | The convention of orienting maps with north at the top and west at the left was started by the | + | The convention of orienting maps with north at the top and west at the left was started by the greek geographer {{w|Ptolemy}}. In his work {{w|Geography (Ptolemy)}} he introduces the first coordinate system with latitudes and longitude. Randall shows some other possible map orientations in [[977: Map Projections]]. |
− | The title text comments on the similarity in shape of New Zealand and Japan, and | + | The title text comments on the similarity in shape of New Zealand and Japan, and suggests that one may in fact be the other in disguise. The similarities are partly explained by both forming as volcanic island chains. |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[Map of | + | :[Map of world with North America centered. An "x" is placed near east coast. Asia is labeled "The East" and Europe "The West."] |
:"The East" <- West x (me) East -> "The West" | :"The East" <- West x (me) East -> "The West" | ||
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:This always bugged me. | :This always bugged me. | ||
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
[[Category:Language]] | [[Category:Language]] | ||
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[[Category:Geography]] | [[Category:Geography]] |