Nice post! But I just have to correct this 'map'. http://www.wired.com/design/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2111F... First of all, it immediately reminds me of this xkcd. On top of that, the interpolation method used, probably IDW (inverse distance weighed) has a far too large radius. This causes the massive hill in between the East Coast cities, and not at the cities themselves, as that area is bumped up by Chicago, Atlanta, NYC and the rest of the large cities there. Either the map is poorly made or Ohio is the pinnacle of food reviews.
Thanks! Do you work with or have you studied statistical measurements etc? I had to take a unit in undergrad; anything above what I would call basic stats is not exactly my strongest forte, heck I had to look up IDW to properly grasp it haha. I get a sense that Ohio is not going to be the pinnacle of food reviews, as it'd be a shame if the maps are then poorly/innaccurately made as a result. Still, something pretty to look at I guess. Also dig the XKCD - it may be a joke, but they say there's a little truth behind every joke ;D
Well, I just followed a course on geographical information systems, where I've learned how to make spatial analyses and derive maps from them. IDW was one of the used spatial analytic methods, I wasn't really expecting people to know it. The map is pretty but I just get irrationally angry when people make shitty maps. Just like incorrect kerning. So irritating, I have to correct it.
GIS is something I've wanted to look into, and could probably wrap my head around a lot more easily. Completely understand when you see something done poorly and want to correct it, it shows you're passionate about something! Hopefully this video will give you a good laugh, even if the maps are purposefully bad!