Robin Wilton's esoterica

       
 
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24 Jun · Fri 2005

Bookworm


Usually I just add a one-liner to my "Bookworm" list in the right-hand sidebar with whatever I'm reading at the moment, but yesterday I found a book which is worth a post, given its topic. The book is "Spying with Maps" by Mark Monmonier, published by the University of Chicago Press. Prof. Monmonier applies a great deal of subject-matter expertise to the topic of maps, geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial technology, and explains how it works, how it has evolved, and how it can be applied in areas as diverse as law enforcement, agriculture, traffic management and of course intelligence. He then adds the social dimension and looks at issues of privacy, consent and instrusion, ending with a postscript on the question of whether locational privacy is (or should now be recognised as) a basic right. It's only 200 pages, interesting and nicely written (though the proof-readers missed a few things) - and even in the first couple of chapters, full of those moments when you look up from the page and mutter "Good Lord! Can they do that?" or "Hmmm... so that's how it works...". I think he gets the balance just right between geeky (well, it is a potentially techie subject...!) and readable. Here's a link to it on amazon.co.uk And on amazon.com The Disclaimer: I have no commercial/financial/other stake in amazon, University of Chicago Press or Prof. Monmonier's royalties. My only purpose in recommending this book is to alert you to a published work which I found interesting.
Posted by racingsnake @ 02:02 PM GMT+00:00 [ Comments [1] ]

In the interests of balance...


Here's a link to the FIA's response to the charges levelled at it in the row over the Indianapolis Grand Prix fiasco. To be fair, Mosley has a point with some of what he says. If there is a tried and tested process for approving the layout of each circuit, then there's a liability associated with applying changes to a circuit at short notice. That said, some of the commentators at the Brickyard on the day were saying that the circuit itself had procedures for installing temporary chicanes, so I don't think we're getting the full picture on that one. I still find it hard to believe that the FIA, with all its protestations about safety and liability, was seriously suggesting that 6 cars should go through the banked corner with the tap full on, while the other 14 went through it at some lower, but unspecified speed. Entering a chicane at the same point on the track each lap just has to be safer than going into a corner wondering which of the other 60% of runners you're suddenly going to be closing on at upwards of 80mph. Or the other alternative was that they should by-pass that corner by taking to the pit lane on every lap instead... thus generating a sustained traffic through an area which isn't designed for it. Clusters of pedestrians, other cars actually on pit-stops, not drive-throughs. If anything, even more likely to cause an accident. Lunacy. However, none of the FIA's remarks address the key point of governance. For all their regulations and procedures, they were unable to cope with the failure of a business-critical component. And in an industry of their size and value, that's an unacceptable failure both of management and of accountability. But enough of this. I will simply say the one thing guaranteed to inflame anyone with a serious view on the topic: It's only a game. ;^)
Posted by racingsnake @ 01:33 PM GMT+00:00
 
 
 
 
 
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Such views as I express in this blog are based on my own opinions, experience and judgements. They do not necessarily represent the policy or views of my employer. It is not my intention to offend readers in any way. If you find anything on this blog offensive, please contact me in the first instance.
Robin Wilton
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