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Is Northern Hemisphere really ‘UP THERE’ and we in the Southern Hemisphere really ‘DOWN THERE’ ?

There is an implication of “We up here are better than you down there, you know!”

Is this so?

Just saying, it’s a human foible don’t you know…

The convention of “north being up” and “south being down” on maps and in spatial or astronomical terms is largely arbitrary and based on historical and cultural factors. Here’s a breakdown of why we use this orientation:

1. Historical Influence:

• Early European mapmakers in the Renaissance era, influenced by Greek and Roman geography, placed north at the top of maps. This standardization became widespread as European nations like Spain, Portugal, and Britain dominated global exploration and cartography.

• However, in earlier times, other cultures did not always follow this convention. For instance, medieval Arabic maps often placed the south at the top, while early Chinese maps placed the east at the top.

2. Magnetic North and the Compass:

• The magnetic compass, which points toward the magnetic north pole, likely influenced the convention of placing north at the top. Once compasses became widely used in navigation, maps began to orient themselves according to the compass, placing north at the top for consistency.

3. Astronomical Factors:

• In the northern hemisphere, where many early civilizations flourished, celestial navigation relied heavily on the North Star (Polaris). Since the North Star is located almost directly above the Earth’s rotational axis in the north, it became a natural point of reference.

• This helped solidify the concept of “north” as a primary direction in both geographic and astronomical terms.

4. The Earth’s Axis and Hemispheres:

• Earth’s axis of rotation is an essential feature in how we orient ourselves in space. It gives rise to the concepts of the northern and southern hemispheres. The northern hemisphere contains more landmass and was historically more developed, influencing map conventions.

However, these conventions are purely human-made. In space, there is no true “up” or “down,” and maps could just as easily be drawn with south at the top. Some maps are intentionally reversed to challenge the notion of directional bias.

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PLEASE FORGIVE CAPS--ALMOST BLIND

EXCELLENT. AND THIS FROM ONE WHO HAS BEEN A LOVER AND COLLECTER OF MAPS FOR ALMOST 75 YEARS. NORTH, SOUTH , LEFT, RIGHT,UP, DOWN, ETC., ARE ALL RELATIVE CONCEPTS, DEPENDENT UPON THE LOCATION OF THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. JIST IMASGINE YOU ARE GOD, WHATEVER YOU CONCEIVE HIM TO BE, WITH THE CAPACITY TO PLACE YOUR EYE WHEREVER IN THE UNIVERE YOU CHOOSE. GET IT? SINCERELY, LIAM

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Don’t too many think and believe, God only hangs out UP THERE?

We all know what goes on DOWN THERE because it’s a helluva place to be…

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THANKS FOR YOUR INSIGHT JAYCEE.

YES, PERHAPS HEAVEN AND HELL ARE INDEED,RIGHT HERE ON EARTH---A STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS---A STATE OF MIND. PERHAPS SALVATION IS THE ATTAINMENT OF AN ETERNAL CONSCIOUSNESS A LA KARL JUNG..

SINCERELY, LIAMOF LIAM'S LADDER

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This is what it looks like for some of us !

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South-up_map_orientation

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Well, now with new leadership, maybe the country will actually find a fiscally responsible future.

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Wonderful! What an inspired way to start the day. Thanks for sharing!

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Just came across your work, also an Australian in el fin del mundo with a fascination for the place. 🇦🇷

Looking forward to tuning in. 👍

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Really lovely Joel. We are planning a trip there in late March and into April. Maybe we can met up for a drink.

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would love to

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Love your videos and will look forward to more as you write your new book. Just ordered Night drew her Sable Cloak on Amazon - even though I'm a subscriber, I couldn't figure out how to get it on Substack. Maybe you can buy one cortada with the proceeds?

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Too kind, Judy. Here's a link where you can find the digital versions: https://joelbowman.substack.com/s/books

Of course, nothing beats a physical copy on the home library shelf. Cheers!

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You only offer 2 options for your books - both reading. Let us know when you have an audio version. That’s my personal favorite form of ‘reading’.

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I think that's a great idea! And I know just the man to read it...

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I would like a kindle version!

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Where are the homeless and criminals? Show us the seedy under belly! Or does it not exist? If so, why?

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Interested in your books . Are they available through Amazon ? If so I will purchase them via this very convenient manner.

I am presently visiting Turkey and Sicily with my 2 daughters Cristina and Sandy . Istanbul which has been in my " bucket list " for far too long is in spite of all recommendations and readings quite a REVELATION . I thought Singapore was the utmost in having a human zoo as its population considering the mixture of races, colors,religions, customs, food , etc all of that in one small island .HOWEVER Istanbul with its 18 million people because of their incredible complex and long history of changing invading powers plus the present tourist invasion is quite a spectacle and experience .

For an Argentine to understand Turkish politics is quite easy . Mr.Erdogan is simply one more example of a Latinamerican populist ,undemocratic, power hungry ,extremely corrupt ,money printing specimen . Kindest regards

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PLEASE FORGIVE CAPS---ALMOST BLIND

DEAR JOEL, EXCELLENT AS ALWAYS. WORTHY OF SEVERAL VOLUMES OF COMMENT. PERMIT ME TO MAKE TWO---VERY SUCCINCTLY: 1. THERE IS GREAT WISDOM IN THE BIBLE--- COBTRARY TO WHAT MANY YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INDOCTRNATED(BRAINWASHED) TO BELIEVE.

2. ADD TO THE LONG LIST FROM ECCLESIASTES, "IT IS TIME TO ACT". NOW---WITH VERY STRONG EMPASIS ON "NOW"---"MOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY". PLEASE MAKE TEN PHOTOCOPIES OF TH[S MESSAGE , PASS THEM ON AND REQUEST THAT EACH RECIPIENT DO THE SAME. YOUR SMALL "ACT" OF GOODNESS WILL GROW EXPONENTIALLY---2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1,024, ET SERIATIM. SINCERELY, LIAM OF LIAM'S LADDER

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beware the who pandemic treaty is far from dead inthe water as many believe in fact its coming back much sooner than we think check out the james roguski substack for the details

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