There is nothing more powerful than visual images. As the saying goes, an image is worth a thousand words. Maps are worth much more. There is no doubt that talking about births and death rates around the world is an interesting topic that could - and does - fall flat on most people's ears. However when you show a map of births and deaths, the difference is substantial. The internet provided us with the ability not just to display a map, but to also make it interactive. Here is a great map example of the global birth and death rates called Breathing Earth, which says through one glance at it much more than any lecture or words can say.
That is why now there is a movement called Data Visualization or Crisis Mapping - and to use an even more human rights specific term, Dissent Mapping.
Virtual Activism. through its MENGOs hub has made use of this technology, using Google maps as well as new software called Ushahidi which also uses Google maps as well as other open maps such as Open Street Maps. One prominent example of its use is by Al Jazeera network which used the Ushahidi map during the Gaza Crisis last year. Another notable map is that used during the Kenyan conflict.
It should be noted that the technology is not yet easy to use and requires at least a substantial amount of coding knowledge, but it certainly is proving to be verfy useful for activists around the world monitoring abuses and actions sometimes on an hourly basis.
