Why mappers are creators and their work is monetizable
Mercator the Creator
The standard map of the world, with which we’re all familiar, is called the Mercator Projection, named after its creator, Gerardus Mercator.
Mercator crafted maps in 16th-century Belgium, and map-making was in high demand then, primarily for navigational purposes. The Mercator projection, which maintained accurate directions while distorting shapes and sizes farther from the equator, became the standard for nautical navigation.
But beyond this technical achievement, Mercator emerged as the premier map-maker of 16th-century Belgium. While Italy’s elite clamored for art by Michelangelo or DaVinci, Europe’s nobility, especially from Prussia, sought Mercator’s depictions of the world. His maps, tracing long journeys to India, routes to resource reserves, and discoveries of new lands, were more than navigational tools; they were symbols of power, knowledge, and prestige.
This wasn’t merely about cataloging personal histories geographically; it was about a new format of storytelling. A story told in the context of its location. Mercator crafted globes, atlases, and various map projections to narrate tales of expeditions, nature, and history.
All maps are content
The point here is that while we often view mapping (or cartography) as a technical field, it’s also deeply rooted in storytelling. Yes, cartography is a science, but it’s a science in service of a narrative. The ultimate goal of a map isn’t just to inform but to share a story, whether about a place, a moment, or an experience. In essence, it’s akin to creating content, be it a video, reel, or blog. It’s about translating ideas into mediums that resonate and engage.
Today’s digital maps, embedded with multimedia elements, are content-rich, guiding users through histories, tours, or local legends.
At proto, we recognize this intrinsic connection. Mappers are content creators, narrating the world’s ever-evolving tales. And just as every story deserves recognition, so does every map and its creator. Every form of content finds its home on a specific platform: Videos on YouTube, visual stories on Instagram Reels, in-depth articles on Substack, and quick updates on Twitter.
But where do mappers, the storytellers of our physical world, showcase their work?
And all creation must be monetized,
We’re not a mapping platform like OSM or Overture; we’re building a medium for mappers to create. A space where their unique form of content creation is recognized, celebrated, and monetized.
Across the board, content is monetized on the basis of its consumers. The more views you get, the more valuable your content is. Maps however are valuable on their own. Every map includes data that is valuable to someone. And every mapping exercise reduces someone else’s efforts. If you go out and build a map of all the restaurants in Bhopal, the food delivery service can use your data. And if you go out and map all of the trees in Chiang Mai, you’ve saved the conservation teams hours of effort.
We aim to establish new distribution channels for mappers, amplifying their reach and impact. While we’re starting with familiar mapping APIs, we see this evolving into new, innovative realms where mappers can monetize their data and contributions. Imagine building communities centered around mapping; be it traffic, demographics, or infrastructure, the potential is vast.
With proto, mappers have a world of opportunities. From collaborating with governments to design efficient cities, to helping businesses enhance customer experiences, or aiding tourists in trip planning — the horizon beckons.
So, if you’re a mapper, cartographer, or someone passionate about the stories our world;
Join Us,
You can follow us on twitter & instagram, and if you wanna get started on proto; Join our Map-to-earn program here!
See you soon and Happy Mapping !
