I am periodic lurker on this list, but I thought this might prompt some interesting discussion.
I just wrote a post on my blog (http://www.jasonmorrison.net/content/2009/propaganda-maps-live-interactive-on-the-web/) about an interactive Flash map created by the Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence (http://www.defence.lk/orbat/Default.asp). The map is pretty well-designed, and it's obvious they've put some thought into representing information efficiently and giving users control of the display. The Offensive Timeline is a pretty effective way to create a narrative using maps and photos. But, even if it's a good user experience and represents information fairly accurately, it does show the point of view of one side in a long and bloody civil war. I'm definitely not taking the side of the LTTE, but clearly the map serves as propaganda in some sense. Using maps and information graphics for propaganda is nothing new, but does interactivity give governments additional tools to influence public opinion? Do you as an interaction designer ever run into ethical concerns? Has a regular, run-of-the-mill commercial client asked you to omit information that was important to the user but unflattering to their company? I'm curious to hear what you think. Thanks. ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
