Why Is the UK at the Centre of World Maps?




The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast show

Summary: <p>Join us for an insightful and engaging exploration of maps, time zones, and their connections to our shared history. Is the centre of the world map a reflection of colonial legacies, or is it a matter of practicality and tradition? Listen in to find out!</p> <p>This is the podcast where we explore thought-provoking questions from our listeners. In this episode, Debs from Didcot, Oxfordshire, England, sparks a captivating discussion with her question: "Most world maps have the UK at the centre. Is this because of the time zones or a subtle link back to our colonial pasts?"</p> <p>Your co-hosts, Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow, embark on a journey to uncover the complexities of map representation, time zones, and their historical connections.</p> <p>William kicks off the conversation by highlighting how maybe the centre of a map depends on where you buy it, and how it can vary between an atlas and a map. Stuart directs the focus to world maps, and the relationship between their layout and time zones, suggesting a connection to colonial history.</p> <p>The discussion delves into the concept of perspective, William speculates on how our perspective could change if viewed from an extraterrestrial standpoint, alluding to common sci-fi and alien invasion depictions.</p> <p>To add an interactive element, William recommends a practical experiment: turning your phone's map so that south becomes the top. It's a thought-provoking exercise that challenges preconceived notions about map orientation..</p> <p>What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠<a href="mailto:thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com">thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com</a></p> <p>We like to give you an ad free experience. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.</p> <p>This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. <br>Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends<a href="https://podfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast/view"> ⁠https://podfollow.com/the-peoples-countryside-environmental-debate-podcast/view⁠</a> , support our work through Patreon<a href="https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside"> ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠</a>. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link:<a href="https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside"> ⁠https://linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside</a></p> --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message