Imagine two geological maps of your zip code, one made a thousand years ago and one made today. Chances are they would be nearly identical. Now imagine two road maps of the same area, one from 1965 and one from today. Could you find your way around? Probably. Finally, imagine two maps of your zip code, charting house color, one from 1987 and one from today. Would you recognize your own street?
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Of Mappaemundi, Myth and the Material World
When it comes to maps and reality, there is simply too much to get in. But maps can perhaps succeed in suggesting what is important. What is important about a place — its topography, history, global position or even mythical value?
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The Eccentricities of an Evolving Odd-Toed Ungulate
“Odd-toed”? Horses have hooves; why not say “single-toed” instead of “odd-toed”? Turns out, depending on who you ask, horses may have three or even five toes on each limb.
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Of Travelers and Itinera: From Jerusalem to Japan
When it comes to maps and reality, there is simply too much to get in. But maps can perhaps succeed in suggesting what is important. What is important about a place — its topography, history, global position or even mythical value?
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Zombies on Your Mind?
Just what is consciousness and how does it work? What does it mean that I am aware? That I am aware of myself? Does it arise entirely from the brain? Is it a function of a soul? Are other animals conscious? How would we know? Does individual consciousness survive beyond death? And what about ... zombies?
