Misleading Maps

As discussed in The New Media Writer, texts that may seem simply "informational" must change depending on their audience, use, and purpose. As you might have already read, a driver on the interstate needs a different kind of map than a hiker in the woods, even though these maps might cover the same area.

Consider the discussion linked below of how common maps often significantly distort the relative size of Africa compared to other continents. In the clip from the TV show The West Wing, what do the cartographers state as some of the reasons for this distortion? Conduct your own research about how navigational maps have been designed over time, and how modern map makers make decisions about how to create new maps.

The TRUE Size of Africa – Have Our Maps Been Misleading For Over 500 Years?

Drinking Glasses Only

When shooting your own images or video, you have to sometimes be careful about where you shoot, if you need permission, and what you're shooting. For instance, you usually need permission when shooting video on private property, and some locations may ban photography or videography.

Recently, a woman wearing Google Glass in a San Francisco bar was confronted by other patrons when they realized she was wearing Glass and recording at times. Because of this altercation, the bar has banned anyone from using Google Glass when inside. Other bars have also adopted this policy.

However, they haven't banned the use of smartphones, which could just as easily be used to record in these locations. What do you think this ban on Google Glass says about our general adoption or comfort with new technologies? Can you find other writing/recording technologies that have been initially banned?

The full story is here:

Bars Banning Google Glass

Ten Funny Proofreading Mistakes

As discussed in Chapter 11 of The New Media Writer, editing is an important step in the writing process.

However, sometimes too much attention can be paid to the big picture of editing and revising, and not enough to the smaller errors that proofreading can find.

Here are some of the funniest proofreading errors in a variety of media. As a general practice, keep your own database of proofreading mistakes and share them with the class as you locate examples.

Top Ten Funniest Proofreading Mistakes

An $80,000 Tweet

As discussed in Chapter 6, new media writing requires increased attention to audiences and how audiences receive information. A tweet might be intended for just your followers, but those followers can retweet and quickly spread your message.

Such was the case for the daughter for former Gulliver Preparatory School head Patrick Snay. Snay was just awarded $80,000 in a settlement with Gulliver Prep for an age discrimination complaint. However, this agreement depended on confidentiality, that no one else would know about the settlement.

Enter Snay's daughter, who took to Twitter to voice her opinion on the confidential matter to her nearly 1200 Twitter followers:

Mama and Papa Snay won the case against Gulliver. Gulliver is now officially paying for my vacation to Europe this summer. SUCK IT.

The message quickly spread, and school officials found out about the confidentiality breach. As a result, the judge ruled the settlement could be cancelled, costing Snay the loss of the $80,000.

Read the whole story here:

Girl costs father $80,000 with 'SUCK IT' Facebook post