Maps and Web-based Data - Participatory Mapping: New Data, New Cartography - page 63

interpretation abilities of Web users. Mark Deuze defines
bricolage as “highly personalized, continuous and more or
less autonomous assembly, disassembly and re-assembly of
mediated reality” [DEU 06, p.7]. This notion designates the
online communication practices of the Web users where
these put forward their expressive potential [BLO 07]. In
this case, maps are a tool to personalize data that help
“ripping, reordering, remixing, annotating, commenting,
voting…” [ALL 09]. However, how does personalizing maps
through their technicality and expressiveness fit in with the
cartographic property to provide a scientific representation
of space? How do map designers decide between adaptation
and scientific accuracy?
4.2.1. Personalizing
The concept of expressivism is associated with the
“reflexive modernity” theory [BEC 94] and “emphasizes the
expressive work through which individuals live their
identities” as well as on “the contingency, the detachment
and the reflexivity of individuals in relation to social models
and roles” [ALL 09, p.11]. The concept sheds light on the
individualization and modification processes from which the
cartographic object results. These can be analyzed from
various signs [SOU 03] present on the map; whereas the
personalization of the map is seen through the moderation
strategy among the different contributing maps.
A number of signs on the maps can help their designers to
add their own signature. The map showing the various stages
in the life of Obama (Table 4.1, map no. 8 and Figure 4.2) has
a sign on the right (follow me, top-right), which invites the
Web user to get to know the map designer through his activity
on Twitter, and to subscribe to his account.