Why every world map is wrong - Kayla Wolf

Dig into the inaccuracies of flat maps and how different map designs can shift our point of view.

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Fourteen Greenlands could fit in Africa— but you wouldn’t guess it from most maps of the world. The fact is, every world map humans have ever made is wrong. Actually, it’s impossible to make a flat map of the whole spherical world 100% right. So why do we bother with these inaccurate maps at all? Kayla Wolf explores how even the simplest changes in map design can shift our point of view.

Lesson by Kayla Wolf, directed by Hernando Bahamon, Globizco Studios.

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Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! LunarQueen, Iza, Brian Elieson, Paul, Grayson Garbarino, Oge O, Weronika Falkowska, Stefano Esposito, Jan M. Brandt, Harshal, Nevin Spoljaric, Christine, Yvonne Feijoo, Sid Chanpuriya, Arjay Arcinue Dineros, RAD, Anoom Yasmin, Laura Johnson, Anoop Varghese, David Yastremski, Noah Webb, Zoë Tulip, B, Erica Guerrero, Richard Manklow, Roberto Chena, Luke Pisano, Andrea Gordon, Aleksandar Donev, Brendan and Nicole's summer job, Ryan Weiler, Jesse Lira, Ezekiel Raui, Itay Levi, Cameron Chakraverty, Petr Vacek, Rhys Patterson, Dennis, Margaret King, Olivia Fu, Katrina Adams, Regina Post, Mary Collins, Kari Teffeau, clumsybunnie, Adam Leos, Jeremy Laurin, Cindy Lai, Liz and Hannah Nommé.

[joegjerry]

Big sphere not fit on small rectangle. Simple.

[manishsapkal]

"An interrupted psuedo-cylindrical equal area does that mean ? Not important"
That was a relief for me 😅

[oliverpepit]

I wish my teachers would ask: "What does that mean? Not important."

[skarlet_toki]

I always wondered why Greenland looked so different in every other map.

[rajatbalraj]

This was a very different style of narration than what Ted-Ed normally does, much more casual one might say and it was rather fresh! The animation and content was awesome as always!❤️❤️

[overcookedwater]

"...because the earth is ROUND..."

*multiple flat earthers are typing*

[RainierKine]

I set my home as the centre of a map projection generator. Everything is relative to me, problem solved!

[dailydoseofmedicinee]

In fact, a map can only be accurate in one of four domains: shape, area, distance, or direction👍

[caitlinpolius]

the person who is voicing this is really good at expressing and stressing words and information. Greatly appreciated how you kept me watching !!

[pabloyotrosbichos]

Ted ed is just destroying my reality and reconstructing it

[ishanjain]

Props to you guys for educating the general public about miscellaneous topics in a wide array of subjects for free. This video was really informative 👏

[imissd]

Reason :
Earth is 3-D
Map is 2-D

Save time

[bingbonghafu]

I love Kayla’s humorous writing style!

[jinhyolee]

I thought this was gonna be about political disagreements on land.

[elenas]

The first thing I do when I see a map of the world is check to make sure New Zealand is included.

[will__memrno]

" an interrupted pseudo-cylindrical equal area projection "

Me: Wow that's a fancy phrase, what is it?

"not important"

Me: (ಠ_ಠ)


Jokes aside the narrator of this video deserves a raise!

[PabloCarbonari]

I just LOVE this series of animated videos! Many people (companies) were doing it before, but TED just nailed it. Congrats and keep up the good work!

[leafwhy]

Sometimes I wonder, how people were able to draw maps in the ancient times without seeing the world from above?

[groundsymphony]

I love this casual way of explaining, not too rigid and formal that diminishes the fun and excitement

[paintwithtihani]

I’m intrigued how did Ptolemy came up with the grid and longitude latitude idea back then that’s soooo awesome considering they didn’t have satellite back then