Hacker News Reader

Localisation is one way 'not to take a side'

Leaving aside the merits / demerits of this specific case, cartography presents an interesting dilemma - is there a single source of truth, if so what is it, and what happens if adherence to it contravenes of the prevailing mood?

Explicable decision by Google, avoid the issue

View on HN

It is explicable, but I think they are still taking a side? Within Russia, Google is agreeing with Putin's claims on Crimea, regardless of whether that represents the views of people in Russia, or Crimea. On cartography, yes, the artist, Simon Weckert, makes a point about that dilemma "With maps it is possible to enforce truth claims of knowledge under specific conditions, which are closely interwoven with power." I guess international law, the UN is supposed to be the arbiter of this , rather than Google and it's commercial interests in the countries in which it operates.

UN is useless when the Permanent Five is involved in the dispute. There is no way Russia and the US will agree on a resolution.

Yes this is true UN should be final arbiter.

However, UN rulings are frequently overturned or ignored when run contravention to the opinions of the most powerful countries. Palestine / Israel, an obvious example.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com