mapping

1) definitions & types of maps

which is a very specific frame, and makes us realize how, according to this perspective, most of the digital maps we use/interact with aren't maps at all. they're usually models, frameworks, sketches or illustrations.

yet, many people refer to them as maps, so i'll propose a different, more loose classification of maps taking into account other people's curation of popular maps as well:

types of maps:

1) wardley maps

2) tang jeff's classification on twitter:

i highly encourage you to check out the whole thread, as pasting everything here would be flooding this page.

-> as a summary, he suggests:

a) memespace maps
b) ribbonfarm's maps
c) defining characteristics of maps
d) maps of maps (curating/organizing perspectives)
e) wardley maps
f) idea mazes
g) subway maps (visual)
h) topical maps/field maps (zoomable maps/maps with meaningful axes and proportions)

i think it can be enlightening to evidence the focus on topics vs the format.

memespace/subway maps/maps of maps are maps that refer to a specific topic.

ribbonfarm/wardley maps are "types" of map based on their style/format, which is derived from a specific creator.

idea mazes / field maps are also on the format side, but regardless of their creator.

3) nadia asparouhova's classification at the stoa:

source: https://nadia.xyz/mapping-digital-worlds / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvAyJImbEeA

i honestly don't recommend going through the whole thing, unless you have time to spare, as i believe the summary below captures the essence pretty well.

-> nadia's classification summary:

a) skeumorphic maps

b) schematic maps

c) matrix maps

d) chinese menu maps

e) word cloud maps

f) type of guy maps

4) lastly, other types of common maps:

a) ecosystem maps:

b) concept maps (a.k.a. mental models/frameworks):
--> proposes a model that describes how something works or can work.

possibility management's thoughtmaps

c) general knowledge maps / relationship maps:

2) other interesting perspectives on mapping:

• aaron z lewis on twitter:

• ⭐ great breakdown of mapping approaches: https://wiki.secondrenaissance.net/wiki/Visual_approaches_for_ecosystem_mapping_and_sensemaking

• tom critchlow's curation of resources: https://tomcritchlow.com/wiki/maps/

⚠ i'm still missing: good curation on network science + good examples/applications.

3) great examples of maps of specific subjects

a)

b) topic maps

economics maps:
https://atlas.cid.harvard.edu/ (technically, it's a set of interactive graphs)

argument/debate maps:
https://www.societylibrary.org/diablo-canyon-debate

music genres maps:
https://musicmap.info/
https://everynoise.com/ (technically a graph, but works like a map)
https://www.music-map.com/

power/influence maps:
https://calculatingempires.net/ - a genealogy of technology and power since 1500
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/histomap/ - visualizing the 4,000-year history of global power

c) "maps" of the metacrisis / sensemaking / game b space:

an introduction to the subject/space: https://secondrenaissance.net/intro

great compilation of nearly all ecosystem mapping efforts: https://secondrenaissance.net/wiki/overview-mapping-efforts

to understand the usefulness of these initiatives, look at how they're mapping: value systems, belief systems, worldviews, theories of change and systemic challenges in coordinating these perspectives for navigating the extremely complex historical moment we're living.

d) "maps" of the cozy web/indie web/slow web:

introduction to the concept/space and illustration made by maggie appleton:

(click to read more)

a collection of very interesting references in the space: https://diagram.website/

another categorization proposed by trust (collective):

(click to read more)

e) "maps" of the regenerative space/communities:

#memetic:
"climate tribes" chart + research:
https://nadia.xyz/climate-tribes

"Impact DAOs" book:
https://greenpill.network/pdf/ImpactDAO.pdf

regenerative orgs/communities database 1:
https://www.refidao.com/ecosystem/organizations

regenerative orgs/communities database 2:
https://www.gaianet.earth/ecosystem

f) "maps" of intentional communities / conscious coliving spaces:

major databases: ic.org, GEN.

compilations:

transformational communities:
https://tuckerwalsh.medium.com/transformational-communities-cd9e41053423

IC communities breakdown:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FlLWdW5k4PKJ1T6rdcXy2cSwWUO-MInxCfpkCtuWhVY/edit#gid=2101869082

+ life itself discussion on the subject:
https://github.com/orgs/life-itself/discussions/391

g) videogame references

one day i'll still compile my favorite game interfaces in a organized/useful way, but today here's just a few highlights:

rimworld tech tree:

stellaris civilization management interfaces:

4) other stuff

themes/topics, perspectives/arguments, memes mapping

refs: golden, metaculus, ideamarket, mapsmap hackathon, civilization research institute, kialo, nikita voloboev...

other relevant approaches:

• CEP+N
• github awesome lists
• etc...

open-source datasets & fine-tuned LLMs:

datasets:

fine-tuned LLMs: cognicist iris, integral life, fourgames...