Andrew McGrath Annotations

Andrew McGrath's picture
In response to:

What does the image convey about “toxic subjects” (their character, dynamics, etc.)? (How) Does this image open up the concept of “toxicity”?

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - 5:55pm

 A map like this, which posits "risk" by predetermined structural parameters, can be very powerful for conjuring an applied approach to mitigating toxic exposure. However, as you state in your text, images are geared and constructed for specific audiences, and when looking at this map I am left to wonder who is motivated to action? Color-coded displays on maps that denote differences tend to make the viewer immediately look for their home, their risk. I am struck also by the lack of presence of the exposed here. It could serve to reify the disembodiment of the marginal in data. However, as you note, we are brought again and again to "who is the image for?"

Creative Commons Licence