Mapping Associations - Mapping Scientific Frontiers: The Quest for Knowledge Visualization - page 85

Chapter 3
Mapping Associations

The eyes are not responsible when the mind does the seeing.
Publilius Syrus (circa 85-43 BC)

In Chap. 2 , we have introduced a series of examples of how cartography selects and
depicts terrestrial, celestial, and human biological features of physical phenomena.
Geographic and oceanographic maps help us find our way on land and sea. Star
maps help us explore the universe. In this chapter, we turn our attention inward and
explore the design of mind maps, maps that represent our thought, our experience,
and our knowledge. In traditional cartography, a thematic map always has a base
map and a thematic overlay. For many physical phenomena, a geographic map is
probably the best base map we may ever have: intuitive, solid, and real. Now we
want to produce a map of the mind. In this category of phenomena, a geographic
connection may be not valid anymore. We cannot take for granted a geographic
base map. What metaphor do we use to hold everything as fluid as our thought
together? What are the design principles in constructing a metaphoric base map that
can adequately represent what is by its nature invisible, intangible, and intractable?

3.1 The Role of Association

In this chapter, we focus on the most basic requirements for representing abstract,
dynamic, and often-evasive abstractions of a structure with no inherit connections
between its content and a concrete, tangible form. We are particularly looking
for possible extensions and adaptations of cartographic techniques, for example,
terrain relief maps, landscape views, and constellation maps. But terrain maps
and constellation maps now acquire new meanings and transcend the boundary
of geometry, topology, and their appearance. The semantics of geometric features,
topological patterns, and temporal rhythms now need to be conveyed effectively