It’s magic….you knowwwwww
“The Map That Changed the World” is a book written by Simon Winchester and published in 2001. The book tells the story of William Smith, a 19th-century English geologist who created England and Wales’s first geological map, changing how people thought about the Earth’s history.
The book describes Smith’s life, his early career as a surveyor, and his struggles to create a geological map of England and Wales. Smith faced many challenges along the way, including financial difficulties, personal tragedies, and the skepticism of the scientific community. Despite these obstacles, he persisted and eventually completed the map, which became a landmark achievement in geology. As a self-taught geologist from a working-class background, he faced significant barriers to acceptance within the scientific community. Winchester describes how Smith’s lack of formal education and unconventional ideas about the Earth’s history led many of his peers to dismiss him as a mere “rock-peddler.”
One of the book’s central themes is the importance of observation and careful record-keeping in scientific research. Smith’s map was based on his observations of the rock layers and fossils found in various parts of England and Wales. His careful recording of these observations allowed him to identify patterns and create a comprehensive picture of the region’s geological history. It was also interesting to see how they referenced the observed rocks “There were numerous theories surrounding their origin. However, at the same time, it was not prudent to question mainstream beliefs and would be viewed as “apostasy or heresy” to suggest otherwise. The rocks were either a coincidence, intentionally placed by God “lapides sui generis,” or the fossils were inserted by God using a plastic force called “vis plastica” for the sole purpose of reminding the entire human race that God did indeed move in mysterious ways.[1]”
The book also touches on the social and economic changes that occurred during Smith’s lifetime, such as the growth of industry and the rise of the middle class. Smith’s map played a role in these changes, as it allowed for the discovery of new mineral resources and the development of more efficient mining techniques.
What I found interesting was a thread that ran through the book, which is the social and economic context in which Smith worked. Winchester provides a vivid portrait of life in late 18th and early 19th-century England, including the growth of industry, the rise of the middle class, and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the countryside. He shows how Smith’s work was shaped by and contributed to these broader social and economic changes. By creating the first geological map of England and Wales, Smith could identify the locations of various rock formations and geological features and classify them according to their age and composition. This information was extremely valuable to mining companies and other industries, allowing them to locate and extract mineral resources efficiently.
This ties into Tim Marshall’s work “Prisoners of Geography.” The book examines how geography shapes the political and economic realities of different regions of the world and how it has influenced the course of human history.
Marshall argues that geography plays a central role in shaping the destinies of nations and peoples, “The land on which we live has always shaped us. It has shaped the wars, the power, politics, and social development of the peoples that now inhabit nearly every part of the earth.[2]” He goes on to argue that the physical features of different regions such as mountains, rivers, and coastlines, have profound implications for their political and economic systems. He explores this theme through a series of case studies, and each focuses on a different region of the world, including Russia, China, the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
One of the book’s key arguments is that geography often creates what Marshall calls “prisoners” of nations and regions, forcing them to deal with specific challenges and limitations inherent to their physical environment. For example, he argues that Russia’s vastness and harsh climate have historically made it difficult to control or unite, while the Himalayas have acted as a natural barrier between China and its neighbors. Marshall also examines how geography has influenced the course of conflicts and wars throughout history, such as the strategic importance of waterways and trade routes.
After reading Simon Winchester’s “The Map That Changed the World” and Tim Marshall’s “Prisoners of Geography,” I began to consider the importance of understanding geopolitics and how people have lived on their land throughout time for anyone studying global leadership. Both books demonstrate how geography and its physical features have significantly shaped the political and economic realities of different regions throughout history.
As a student of leadership, having a basic understanding of geopolitics and the impact of physical geography on different societies and cultures can be crucial in developing an informed view of the world, both now and in the future. It can help leaders better understand the challenges and limitations of people in different regions and develop more effective solutions that consider these factors.
Unfortunately, I believe that this type of understanding is often missing in church leadership. The church can sometimes be an echo chamber where leaders are insulated from different thoughts, cultures, and ideas. This can result in a lack of effectiveness in serving the needs of the communities in which they operate.
Overall, the insights provided by these two books highlight the importance of taking a broader view of the world and considering how geography, history, and culture shape people’s lives around the globe. As a leader, having this kind of understanding can be an asset in developing effective solutions that meet the needs of diverse communities.
[1] Winchester, S., & Vannithone, S. (2016). In The map that changed the world: William Smith and the birth of modern geology p. 46
[2] Tim Marshall, Prisoners of Geography: 10 Maps That Explain Everything About the World (New York, NY: Scribner, 2015), 1.
5 responses to “It’s magic….you knowwwwww”
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Hey Daron,
Thanks for bringing the content of these books to the imperative of church leaders being more aware of the ideas in their surroundings rather than settling for the an echo chamber. Do these books inform your NPO at all? Or, from your research in your NPO thus far, are there action steps you would recommend to mitate these echo chambers?
Great post. My favorite line, “The church can sometimes be an echo chamber where leaders are insulated from different thoughts.” This is a fantastic reminder to us all in church leadership to listen to the people, the Spirit, and stay in tune with multiple perspectives so decisions and culture reflects it. All in Jesus’ name of course, but respectfully open-minded to many views.
Daron,
I loved how you pointed out the church’s weakness in oftentimes being an “echo chamber”, insulated from different thoughts. It was an ingenious way to tie in mapping to the church today. Great post!
Daron,
Your analysis of each book was insightful and thought provoking. Thank you.
Is the church an echo chamber due to being insulated or possibly the proverbial ostrich with its’ head stuck in the ground?
Daron,
Great post. I relate to you and your posts especially after leaving the mainline church and planting a church. Would I follow Jesus or the current trend? These are all difficult choices every leader must make.