As I have previously discussed in last week’s
blog entry, visualisation is making the invisible visible. This is done by
giving symbols, pictures or any visual representations for complex concepts.
Therefore one can argue that visualisation can simplify messages or data and
makes them more accessible to the public. Adding to the previous week’s topic,
this week’s readings focus on visualisation’s relationship with the social
body.
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| Polar bear stuck on ice cap |
When the issue of climate change pops up in
public agenda, the picture of polar bears being stuck standing on floating
pieces of ice immediately occupies my mind. In fact, it is definitely the
picture that a Metro (2008) article decided to go with. I do get why they use
this particular imagery to convey their message on climate change. Firstly, climate
change is the reason for melting the ice caps in the North Pole. Secondly,
polar bears are indigenous in the North Pole meaning that climate change is
directly affecting the size of the bears’ habitat. And lastly, because we have
this information, it the picture is urging people to act on the growing issue
of climate change.
The use of a visualisation is more
effective than showing data as it is. This is because visualisations, especially
this one, put the issue into perspective. People develop more personal
connections with things that they see. By showing the immediate effects of
melting icecaps, the image intends to provoke empathetic and emotional
reactions to those viewing it, as they are witnessing the devastation that
climate change brings. People see animals like the polar bear as majestic
creatures and unique, once they are put into a context where they appear to be
under threat of extinction, people begin to invest more into the issue. While
the picture grabs the viewer’s attention, the rest of the article informs them,
and gives them a motivation to act.
These visualisations have certainly been
effective on inciting emotion from me. This shows that visualisation has great
effect in influencing how we as the social body react. Since the polar bear on
a floating piece of ice has become a common image for climate change, the
society have become familiar with the consequences of drilling, and releasing
greenhouse gases. Visualisation does not only serve the purpose of giving us a
better understanding of complex issues but the way those messages are presented
and interpreted can therefore enforce, the way we feel and act within society.
References
Metro,
(2008). Struggling polar bears put on endangered list. [online]
Available at: http://metro.co.uk/2008/05/15/struggling-polar-bears-put-on-endangered-list-137306/
[Accessed 22 Sep. 2014].
Image: Walk, Ansgar (1996), Polar bear on ice flow in Wager Bay,
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