The Dying Art of Mapmaking

Slate.com describes a beautiful paper map of the US made by one expert in Oregon, David Imus. It is very beautiful indeed. At first glance, it looks muddy compared to the crisp, familiar appearance of the National Geographic map next to it. But on closer examination, it give a much clearer and more artful depiction. I'm fond of maps that give an impression of the size of a city, for example, and this map does so. There was one choice depicted I didn't think was optimal... noting significant features of Chicago in a list in the middle of Lake Michigan. It is carefully done, though at the cost of the names of several small towns in southeastern Michigan... but I don't like it. There can be too much information on a map, too. On the whole, however, a thing of beauty.

This Image is Making the Rounds

Recession

Bad news from the Economic Cycle Research Institute, a private firm. According to a story in the New York Times, they have predicted that a recession has already begun or will begin soon. This is the sort of thing that many economists predict all the time, of course, but the distinction here is that this group has never been wrong in the last 15 years. They correctly projected the beginning and end of each recession and refrained from any false alarms.

First Monday in October

The first Monday in each October is the first day of the annual term of the Supreme Court of the United States. Every year bring momentous cases, but this one promises lots of action. This column from the National Review give a preview. And from the invaluable SCOTUSBlog, a round up of news items.

Mickey Kaus Analyzes the Ford Ad Scandal

When Ford was able to survive the recession while its two American rivals, GM and Chrysler, had to declare bankruptcy and were bailed out by the US government, I thought that gave Ford a substantial advantage. I was surprised it took so long for Ford to capitalize directly on that with an ad noting the fact. Now they've pulled the ad, reportedly in response to pressure from the White House. Kaus analyzes here.

Electronic Security Concerns for International Travellers

Concerns about cyber espionage in and from China have been endemic for years. This article at the Washington Post discusses the lengths to which travelers have been going to avoid compromising their secrets.

Today in Postwar History

September 26, 1989: The Soviet Union approved an anti-censorship law. By 1989, the old rules of the Soviet Union were being systematically broken down, and the Cold War was rapidly approaching its end.