{"id":2570,"date":"2008-10-20T23:22:43","date_gmt":"2008-10-21T03:22:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nearfuturelaboratory.com\/?p=2570"},"modified":"2017-08-18T18:06:20","modified_gmt":"2017-08-18T18:06:20","slug":"paper-maps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.nearfuturelaboratory.com\/2008\/10\/20\/paper-maps\/","title":{"rendered":"Paper Maps"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n 36 hours in Berlin right SHiFT 2008<\/a> and there’s only time for one or two things to do, really. Despite geek sensibilities, it turns out a paper map serves better than a digital one. This janky one from the hotel, flimsy and easily smudged and tattered, was actually spot-on perfect. Every street we needed to find, and U Bahn was easily navigated to. (Although, not by virtue of my lousy sense of direction.) Using a paper map makes me think \u2014\u00a0when will the still-Jurassic digital maps at lease<\/em> orient themselves according to compass direction?<\/p>\n (I will add my friend Nicolas Nova’s map<\/a> he also received while in Berlin just after I left, while we’re on the topic of paper and maps..I’m sure he wouldn’t mind me sharing this fantastic specimen.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tourist highlight of the 36 hours was the Stassi Museum, my curiosity peeked especially after viewing “The Lives of Others”<\/a>. The history in here is fascinating, and in German. I was fortunate to have a native German speaker with me, and one who lived through this period as well. Between the drama in the exhibitions and the real-life experiences, it was well worth the time. (Curiously the museum is not well indicated in the surrounding neighborhoods. We had to ask a couple of well-liquored gents knocking back a few in a box-bar about bit enough to fit a keg and a television in.)<\/p>\n Here’s Markus Meckel’s desk where I’m sure zillions of horrific deeds were executed. Check out the accoutrements of tyranny here \u2014\u00a0an enormous safe (you can see the door), a shredder (on the left of the chair), a chair, a switchboard phone thing, phone and desk. Despite the tyranical history, I was awestruck by the furniture. It was so evocative of the period in a way that brought the stillness to life. You have to check out the other photos \u2014 there’s spy gear, more room furnishings (including the side room with a bed, I guess for late nights or trysts or something) and some amazing swivel chairs.<\/p>\n More photos from the museum exhibits are in my Berlin Flickr set.<\/a> 36 hours in Berlin right SHiFT 2008 and there’s only time for one or two things to do, really. Despite geek sensibilities, it turns out a paper map serves better than a digital one. This janky one from the hotel, flimsy and easily smudged and tattered, was actually spot-on perfect. Every street we needed to … Continue reading Paper Maps<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[37,109,121,182,187],"tags":[1183,707,1205],"yoast_head":"\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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