Computer-based communication is becoming more and more widely spread in the 21st century. Internet has become a real separate world. It has place for a great variety of preferences and gives enough information and possibilities to spend years with it. As a result, many people with good imagination tend to visualize the world network and present it with the help of some maps or schemes. The latest attempt to do it was undertaken by a Slovak artist Martin Vargic. One can define his map as a new form of cultural production. Among its distinguishing features, one cannot neglect that his map resembles the antique one of National Geographic. As a result it is a good example of the media nexus and its development. Being to a great extend humoristic, it gives the information about the proper location of the continents and settlements that denote the online projects of different orientation including popular Internet portals, Web-services, communities etc. Having spent almost two and a half years to create this picture, Martin Vargic has put thousands of names on it. The most part of the map was made with Photoshop and some additional tools. The poster includes 4 mini-maps of the National Security Agency, the most popular social networks, diagrams of the most commonly used Internet-browsers, platforms, a list of the most popular sites, rating of the software producers and many others. An interesting “criminal” part of the country is represented by the “dingy” sites.
Inspired by the interest that this map arose among people, the Slovak artist has promised to create an updated and more detailed map of the Internet that would comprise even more familiar names to the network users. In such a way, a map gives a possibility to follow social interaction and interactivity, represents the digital culture and the cultural transmissions. The process can be endless as the Internet and technologies are developing all the time. Although the authenticity of the map is quite doubtful, the representation of the Internet world in such a way can become quite helpful in regulating the routine Internet and other digital technologies.
Works Cited
Lievrouw, Leah A. “New Media, Mediation and Communication Study”. Information, Communication & Society, 12.3 (2009): 303-325. Print.
Vincent, James. “Map of the Internet 1.0: Explore this beautiful, hand-drawn map of the online world”. The Independent, 31 Jan. 2014. Web. 8 Aug. 2014. <http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/map-of-the-internet-10-explore-this-beautiful-handdrawn-map-of-the-online-world-9098834.html>