There are two great articles that deal with the latest cartographic technologies. First, Geography Intern Erin Mahaney discusses the fascinating future of paper maps and whether they will still exist in 2020. Then, guest writer Kyle Souza explores the use and role of geographic technology today in such applications as Google Earth and other technology we use each and every day.
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An interesting and informative article. However, regarding the future of paper maps, the author missed one important consideration. As paper maps are printed on paper, what happens when paper supplies become tight? Without paper, you can’t have paper maps, at least not for the masses. Paper may become too expensive to use for printing commercial projects. In the early 80′s when the Hunt brothers cornered the silver market, the cost for silver-nitrate used in photography sky-rocketed. A lot of people couldn’t afford it, i.e., I knew one photo journalist who was ordered to cut back on shooting by nearly 90%. Chemical photography recovered but the writing was on the wall. And today, chemical photography is an oddity used only by a hearty few. Could economic dynamics in the paper industry do the same to cartography?