FINAL LAB

Overall, this final lab was fairly straightforward once I was able to accurately join the data within ArcGIS. Originally I did not have the same column names on each list, and attempting to join the data was a very patience-trying ordeal. In terms of map-making, trying to fit as much of the map itself into the layout format was a difficult process. I ended up cutting out Hawaii, and I thought about eliminating Alaska as well. I wanted to include as much detail as possible on regions that would offer more analysis (ie the Continental US), but did not want to exclude data that could be helpful and add to the overall impression. I really enjoyed this exercise, as we finally were able to deviate from the Tutorial and utilize our own skills as novice map-makers within the confines of ArcGIS. Additionally, undergoing a preliminary spatial analysis with regards to each of the maps required thoughtful insights in order to explain the spatial distribution and autocorrelation that was present in each of the below maps.

As far as Geographic Information Systems goes, I still believe that digital map-making is one of the foremost skills in this information age. Humans are visual creatures and can take in far more data at once and gather an impression from glancing at one map than from analyzing tables of numerical data. Especially in today's information age, people are much less willing to sit down and pore over data tables full of monotonous numbers than glance at a map and automatically see a pattern that they can apply their own skills of spatial analysis to. In addition, learning how to work with GIS has helped in the "it takes one to know one sense." Learning how people can manipulate maps to present an ideological agenda, for example, by simply changing the histogram groupings or unit aggregation, helps put one on guard against misleading maps. Nonetheless, familiarity with GIS is a useful skill that will help me personally to find my way in much of my life to come.