Geography of Ideas
Have you ever considered that maps, or more precisely, the ground beneath you influences how you think? Without a doubt, we take the ground and maps for granted. We live in an age of pocket GPS that guides family road trips and gives accurate milage and minutes to the nearest McDonalds, yet this is a novelty on the world stage. Maps came from somewhere and it is those maps, and the geography that they illustrate, that are still shaping the dynamics of the world. Which is why Simon Winchester rightfully observes of William Smith, “It was the work of genius, and at same time a lonely and potentially soul-destroying project. It was the work of one man, with one idea, bent on the all-encompassing mission of making a geological map of England and Wales”[1]. It was a work of genius and driven-determinism that would earn him the nickname “Strata”[2] and change how we understand the very ground beneath our feet. It is these maps, or really the ground they represent, that challenge or confirm the very ideas we have about the world.
While I walk on that ground, I am usually staring at the latest headline describing the latest spat of global powers beautifully predicted in the book, Prisoner of Geography[3]. In this book, author Tim Marshall, explains that, “…geography, and the history of how nations have established themselves within that geography, remains crucial to our understanding of the world today and to our future”[4]. As I read about the latest about the war in Ukraine, I see the uncanny observation offered by geography that, “You could make the argument that President Putin did have a choice: he could have respected the territorial integrity of Ukraine. But, given the he was dealing with the geographic hand that God has dealt Russia, this was never really an option”[5]. I feel like Tim Marshall should be required reading for every student, journalist, and politician to better understand and predict the machinations of the world’s governments – just look for the mountains and ports to predict the geostrategy of nations for the next few decades.
Maps and geography has surprising implications on the way people think. The notion of the Unites States stretching from one ocean to another was rightly observed by John Quincy Adams when he wrote, “‘The acquisition of a definitive line of boundary to the [Pacific] forms a great epoch in our history’”[6]. Which leads me to think, what ideas and perspectives of the world have been shaped by my geographic location?
This is one of the implications offered by Winchester as he frames the shift caused by William Smith’s map. Winchester observes that one of the shifts was how the energy science of geology challenged church dogma around the process of Creation. Winchester writes, “Yet, when William Smith was born, the unquestioning acceptance of a notion such as this [six-day creation of the world] was beginning to change”[6]. In the footnote on this discussion, Winchester observes that a 1991 survey found that 100 million Americans believed that God created humans in the last ten thousand years and “evidence now suggests that this number is climbing”[7]. If we consider this perspective in light of the geographic isolation of the United States, is it any wonder that any idea can have a particular residence? Certainly the internet is bringing a more level playing field to communication and ideas, yet the geographic separation allows pockets of dominate perspectives to take hold for better or worse. It certainly makes me wonder why I think or hold the beliefs that I have. Could it be that they are geographically shaped?
- Simon Winchester, The Map That Changed the World (Harper Perennial, 2009) p. 192.
- Ibid., 193.
3. Tim Marshall, Prisoners of Geography : Ten Maps That Explain Everything about the World (New York, NY: Scribner, 2016).
4. Ibid., 7.
5. Ibid., 25.
6. Winchester, 15.
7. Ibid.
About the Author
Chad McSwain
Chad is a systematic creative serving in pastoral ministry for nearly 20 years, Chad is a professional question-asker and white-board enthusiast, who enjoys helping people discover their own passions and purpose. A life-long learner, he has a B.A, Philosophy - Univ. Central Oklahoma, M.A Theology - Fuller Seminary, M.Div. Perkins School of Theology at SMU and is pursuing a Doctor of Leadership - George Fox University. He is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, currently serving as Lead Pastor of Whitesboro UMC. Chad and his wife, Brandi live in Prosper, Texas along with their three children, two pugs and a chameleon.9 responses to “Geography of Ideas”
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Hey Chad,
Right when I read the line “If we consider this perspective in light of the geographic isolation of the United States, is it any wonder that any idea can have a particular residence?” I thought to myself “Ah, but we live in a new world of interconnectedness via the internet! This changes everything!” And then you addressed that in your next sentence!
I love the question you pose about our ideas really being shaped by our geography. In doing some introspection, what would you guess are some of the ways you think that were largely shaped by your surrounding geography?
I immediately thought about the conservative Christian beliefs that shaped the early years of faith. I was a K-12 student in a small town with few people of color. The largest church was a few hundred people and the religious landscape was dominated with Christian fundamentalism. I was even told not to go to seminary because I would become a “liberal” or “Calvinist”. This was pre-internet days but even access makes it difficult for different perspectives to take hold when the cultural ethos is is weighted to particular beliefs about the world. A person who wants to offer an opinion contrary to the dominate thought is ostracized and ridiculed. I was literally afraid of becoming infected with “liberal” ideas in college (maybe I was).
As a result of this, I intentionally moved my children out of a rural community into the suburbs to have a more varied cultural experience, while racially more diverse, it is not as economically diverse, such are the limitations of geography. One of our dominate divides in the US is between rural and urban populations. I wonder if this fits in line with the arguments made by Marshall?
This is a great discussion, gentlemen. I do think our environment plays a huge role in our beliefs and there are pockets of extremes around our country and around the world. I feel blessed to have been born into Christianity but this conversation makes me wonder how I would feel if I were raised in the east or somewhere with a completely different belief system. What if my socioeconomic status were different or I lived rural vs. urban, good parents vs. bad? We could create a million dichromatic scenarios and create a case for either side but how does God judge that? What if there has been no exposure to Jesus? I watched a video the other day and a preacher mentioned he was in Greece and his adult waiter had never heard of Jesus. To me, it sounds absurd but I guess our job of spreading the Gospel is bigger than I realized. I definitely think geography is a major influence in our lives.
Chad,
I have read your posts and the comments
I am interested in hearing what your thoughts are on the following:
“As a result of this, I intentionally moved my children out of a rural community into the suburbs to have a more varied cultural experience, while racially more diverse, it is not as economically diverse, such are the limitations of geography. One of our dominate divides in the US is between rural and urban populations. I wonder if this fits in line with the arguments made by Marshall?”
I am curious what the pros and cons have been as you have moved from a rural area into an urban area. I have raised my family in an urban area which is very diverse (northern/central CA….San Jouquin Valley). I often wonder what it would be like if I raised my children somewhere else. As I sit with my thoughts for a moment, I believe I must wait for heaven in order for things to be reconciled well. I hope this does not sound pessimistic. Living in California presents many challenges….along with the sunny weather. 🙂
Chad,
This is a great post. I appreciate how you invite people in for discussion. You are a great example of a man of God/pastor. Well done.
Chad – GPS must be a God’s idea! How in the world would we make it out one! You are doing amazing sharing the GPS to heaven.
Chad, I love the way you have tied these two books together. It is interesting to see the statistics on people’s view of the age of the earth and how geography plays into those beliefs. Thanks for an engaging conversation.
Great job Chad!
Maps and geography has surprising implications on the way people think. The notion of the Unites States stretching from one ocean to another was rightly observed by John Quincy Adams when he wrote, “‘The acquisition of a definitive line of boundary to the [Pacific] forms a great epoch in our history’”[6].
The acquisition of a boundary can mark an important milestone in history as it marks a definitive line of separation between communities. It can also provide a sense of identity and pride for the community….
Your following question: “Which leads me to think, what ideas and perspectives of the world have been shaped by my geographic location?”
This leads me to my question: Have you identified any of these in your area?
Chad,
The geographic isolation of the United States is a very interesting one to to explore and understand on a deeper level. Could this be the cause of more of the ideology issues that we have seen develop in the USA? Would this also be an indicator as to the way that the US responds and engages with other countries? Interesting thoughts.