Thread by @swardley

The Y-axis in my maps was only scaffolding. Visibility (a metaphor for distance i.e. things being near or far) is in the chain itself i.e. the cup of tea is much closer to the user than the power used. If you want to make the power "closer" you need to add a new chain / need.

It's the same with value, the lines are flows of capital (bidirectional exchanges) and the nodes are stocks i.e. value is in the chain. The Y-axis only "exists" in helping people get started, it rapidly becomes a hindrance. But that's a good sign. It means people are mapping.

X : If the "Y" axis is a hindrance, why did you add it?
Me : Necessary evil to get people started with mapping, hence "scaffolding". It helps people frame a problem. Over time, with experience, you'll find the Y axis problematic ... which is when you should drop it.

Visibility is used to describe position (in chain) and evolution to describe movement of components. Tricky bit is there are many different chains on a map ... so, for example power is "Far away" when talking the blue line (making the cup of tea) but "Nearer" via the green line.

But, for someone beginning to map then that's a step too far. It's a struggle for many to come to terms with the idea of chains of evolving components. Hence, we keep it simple to begin with.

Which, of course, leads people to start asking the question of where "power" is?

You can add value to the chain i.e. to the point of adding actual $ amounts. However, be careful about ordering by "value" because if you do that then the "kettle" becomes more important precisely because it's inefficiently dealt with (i.e. custom building what is a commodity)

What the map should convey is the kettle is part of the chain of making a cup of tea and far removed from the user. We should be questioning why are we custom building?

Ordering by value means the kettle is a really high level part of the chain precisely because it's expensive.

X : Can you have multiple anchors on a map?
Me : You could have many different anchors at different positions on a single map i.e. from 2012, three different anchors (in orange).

What'll will twist your noodle is that every single node on a map can in fact be a map. The node itself represents the high level "anchor" i.e. you can start a map with power at the top and then map out the whole utility power chain.

However, I never start with these concepts because it would confuse too many. Hence the framing, the use of scaffolding to hep people get into the idea of mapping out a space.

X : The y-axis is more relative sorting. I still question why power is where it is.
Me : A perfectly reasonable point which is the purpose of a map. To provide assumptions in a way that others can see, challenge and improve. First maps of the world didn't look anything like this

X : Can you map ideas?
Me : You can map culture ...

.. or even better, a map of values (as opposed to principles). I'm finding both to be surprisingly useful.

The labels on the x-axis are just labels for stages I to IV of the evolution of capital. That capital can take many forms, so we can mix and match if we want. They're just labels ...

... for stages of capital (I to IV) that share common characteristics.

X : Base map reminds me of a forest canopy from above. Rotate the map forward 90 degrees and see all the 'roots.
Me : Perfectly fine. I've just found it easier to discuss a chain growing upwards like a tree with the roots at the bottom and the canopy of what you see at the top.

It also allows me to add a crude concept such as "ground level" i.e. the stuff we tend to see, the stuff that tends to be hidden away.

Over time, that ground level rises ... or sea level, depending upon what metaphor you prefer. We're all drowning in tech!