Maps are curious things. They are at once the artifacts of old stories and the start of new ones. They define limits and yet expand horizons. They give us a sense of scale that can make us feel both alone and connected. They shape our perceptions of our world, and yet are themselves shaped by the perceptions of their time. They are us and reflect us.
I wish I could remember where, but I once read a line from a cartographer who said "a map is an answer to a question." It changed my whole perception of maps. It's why they are so valuable to us. And when you think about it, most of the things we value in life are just that - answers to questions. If you want your thing to matter to people, make it the answer to a question that matters to them.
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