[OSM-talk] Some thoughts against remote mapping

[Blake Girardot]

On 6/14/2015 2:57 PM, Frederik Ramm wrote:

> But this is exactly the criticism we're facing - bluntly put:
> "Westerners need maps of places so they can conquer them by selling
> their products and services."
>

One thing to keep in mind is that often time the people who want to 
colonize or exploit places and people are already very well funded and 
_already have_ all the map and geographic information they need to 
exploit a place and its people. It is disparity in access to data that 
helps the exploiters.

It is through efforts like OPENStreetMap that we can try and counter 
their advantage by doing what we can to help the local community create 
their own maps and geo data so they can be on more even footing with 
those who take advantage of the lack of data available to local 
communities now.

Regards,
Blake