Mapping Associations - Mapping Scientific Frontiers: The Quest for Knowledge Visualization - page 86

Fig. 3.1 Liberation by
Escher. Rigid triangles
are transforming into
more lively figures
(© Worldofescher.com)

and accurately. Visual attributes of geometric and topologic configurations must
transform the invisible and intangible knowledge into something visible, tangible,
concrete, and meaningful; just like Escher's Liberation (Fig. 3.1 ).
To understand the fundamental requirements of the challenge, we explore a
wide variety of examples in the realm of mind mapping, such as concept maps,
semantic maps, mind maps, knowledge maps. By examining these examples, we
aim to identify the most fundamental elements in the practice of mind mapping. We
first introduce some basic concepts, followed by more detailed examples of concept
mapping and illustrate the essence of creating and interpreting conceptual maps with
examples of co-word analysis.

3.1.1 As We May Think

In Chap. 2 , we have seen the power of constellations in celestial cartography in
holding otherwise isolated stars in an easy to remember image. Constellations are
good examples of how one can make association easily with the help of a metaphor,
a framework, or an image.
Making association is an important part of our thinking. We make connections
all the time. Vannevar Bush (1890-1974) proposed a device called Memex to mimic
the way we think when we organize and search for information (Bush 1945 ). The
concept of association is central. We learn new concepts by associating them with