Most everyone I’ve ever met who lives, or has lived, in what we generally call the Southern Hemisphere suggest that there is a bias by their Northern brethern (and sisterern), in terms of language. It’s autumn! Except that it’s spring below the equator. I suppose it’s a function of the Northern Hemisphere being about 3/5 water, and 2/5 land, while the Southern Hemisphere is about 4/5 water and 1/5 land. So about 2/3 of the land mass is in the Northern Hemisphere.
But what if creatures came from outer space. Would they see it the same way that most cartographers have trained us to see the planet? Or would they assume that the land mass – Antarctica – we say is at the bottom of the world is actually at the top? Maybe when they draw the maps of that third rock from Sol, it would look like the map above.
I’ve discovered that “South Up” maps have a long history; check here for more information; one can purchase such maps from ODT, e.g.
Those of us in the North probably find the maps disconcerting. It IS uncomfortable being what we perceive to be upside down. Borrowers with negative equity, when one owes more than a property is worth, are said to be “upside down” on their mortgages, a too common occurrence in the United States in recent years.
Being upside down isn’t always bad, though. On various rides at a carnival, or while tumbling, being upside down is what provides the thrill. The difference is that one is righted at the end.
Then there is the pure joy of pineapple upside down cake.
I have no better ending than the obvious: Diana Ross singing Upside Down.
ABC Wednesday – Round 9
Phew – on the ball or what Rog! lol Dxx
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I knew it!! I knew it!! Roger, I knew it all the time! You are a true PHILOSOPHER, and nobody can deny it! Whenever I arrive in Australia I don’t feel upside down. I feel terribly jetlagged. Your post gives me something to think about. Thank you! Good post!
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I think you’re right about the upside down map — it certainly looks alien!
I only have my time in South Africa to base my southern hemisphere experience on, but it was odd to to see the sun in the north and for it to cross the sky from right to left. It threw my normally good sense of direction entirely.
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You have reinvented the theory of relativity. Point is, it’s always good to remember that we will establish our bearings by our own egocentric framework. It will go a long way to convincing us there is nothing default about understanding where another person is coming from.
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Great fun. Of course, the sad truth is our means of expression is usually based around the last empire. That was the British, hence, Greenwich Meantime, etc.
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Oh. Dear. Me. Turn me in a circle and I tend to end up upside down. Or is it the downside up. Now I’m really confused….
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I enjoyed this post and I actually think it would be good for children to have access to flat maps drawn both ways. I remember the first time I really understood what it meant for the world to be round. I was looking at a globe and realized that some places at opposite ends of the map aren’t as far away as they seems if the flat map is curled in like a globe. Spatial issues have always been my weak point but I bet I wasn’t the only kid that took a while to be able to relate a flat map to a globe.
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You have as ever , given us a lot to think about Roger – great U blog – thanks for sharing – does that go for the pud as well ? Jane UK
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The map looks a bit weird at first glance, but why not. Maybe the alien visitors won’t have any concept of up and down at all or would insist on not drawing a 2d map at all.
Turning the world upside down is good for keeping things in perspective. Here’s an old, old song about it
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really weird! hehhehe…good one Roger!
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Oh maps, – very interesting, but it is the pineapple upside down cake that turns me on, Roger. You inspire me to visit the kitchen…
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Upside-down or downside-up? Or maybe it’s upside over? No matter…please pass me some cake!
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What fun and great exercise for my brain. Upside down makes me wonder.
Love the pineapple upside down cake…now I’m hungry.
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Maps…schmaps…give me the cake!
Jane x
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great choice!
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Of even an east west orientated map, I like the look of that, but not as much as the upside down cake.
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So yUmmy!
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Man, that cake looks good! (I’m on a diet right now) I do have a friend in Melbourne and tease him a bit about being upside down and driving on the “wrong side of the road.” But he takes it all in good fun! Great post and have the ultimate of weeks,
Leslie
abcw team
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Pineapple upside-down cake is the very best upside-down item in the whole world. π Good post!
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I don’t mine having a piece of that upside down cake! yummy.
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Wonderful thinking post.
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After all the facts that caused me disequilibration, I was happy to end with the pineapple upside down cake. At last, something I recognized.
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Hello.
Even though earth was created for us all to inhabit, there’s always been the north:south, east:west: divide. I never liked geography, but I found the information about the topsy turvy map quite interesting. Wonder what effect that would have on the Dow Jones/financial markets if everyone decided topsy turvy was the way to go?
BTW, I love pineapple upside down cake & Diana Ross too.
Great post.
Thanks for sharing & visiting. Your comments are appreciated (I see you’re spellbound by that red dress…lol)!
For ref:
Under Your Spell
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I often feel upside down! The cake-evil that you have given all of us a craving for it now!! Undermining us, I say.
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yummilicious take!
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Lived first half of my life in the Southern hemisphere. The upside down map blows my mind, though π
Delicious cake.
U is for…
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Upside down pineapple cake, please may I have some.
You got a Down under map.
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I work with maps a bunch in my job and south up get everybody all confused. Upside down cake is something we can all relate to though.
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To me all maps are disconcerting ! I can’t even read them. For me north is “up” South is “down”, east is “left” and west is “right” or is it the other way around ? I am hopeless !
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I love upside down cake. I am not fond of cakes but I do eat this kind because of the pineapple lol.
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Thatβs a pretty clever juxtapositioning of cake and map, Roger. Thanks goodness for gravity and the illusion of being right side up so we can enjoy our upside down cakes without dribbling. π
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Upside down is okay, but downside up is better. π
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The upside down map is quite disconcerting. I’ve never had pineapple upside down cake.
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Ohhhhh…I love pineapple upside down cake!!! Fun post Rog!!!
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with the title itself, i first thought of the cake and there it was lol.
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Good choice – I had upside-down too!
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A different perspective is always good — it makes you really look with attention and not assume anything! Excellent post, Roger, as always!
HelenMac
ABC TEam
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