kelel01 1 #1 May 25, 2005 Scientist friends, I need your help. Why do we have this perception that the Northern Hemisphere is actually the top half of the world? I mean, the world's (somewhat) spherical (or at least a mostly symmetrical elliptical-shaped object), and space has no top or bottom. I think based on our orientation to the sun, it's at least apparent that the east or west hemispheres can't be "on top", but why do we assume the northern hemisphere is? I'm really wondering, but smart ass comments are (of course) welcomed for entertainment purposes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #2 May 25, 2005 Because compasses point north? And yes, I know that compasses could just as easily have been made to point south...it's all arbitrary...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unformed 0 #3 May 25, 2005 my guess would be because it was the europeans who made the first modern maps, so they put themselves on top .... which would be why we're the western hemi, since relative to them, we're west ...This ad space for sale. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobsled92 0 #4 May 25, 2005 The person who drew the maps of days gone by, felt the waterways travel down. Note ancient maps of Egypt where south is above Northern Egypt=the only place know as opposite on large scale. The Nile flow up the map to the Med._______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 41 #5 May 25, 2005 Seems obvious to me: * Look at any globe - we're on top * Everyone knows - North is UP * No one says "Let's go up south" but they do say "lets go up north" Only people who are on the wrong side of the earth would think that south is up."Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #6 May 25, 2005 In space, there is no "up" or "down." So why is our map/globe showing north as up? There are several explanations for this. The first is that it was an arbitrary decision that we stuck with. That would be the easiest, most parsimonious explanation. Still, there are some who believe that the decision was racist. But, that's Speaker's Corner material. Al Gore also took the position that the earth's orientation has to be that way, and called an editor of a newspaper to chastise him. Again, SC material. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #7 May 25, 2005 No, you're on top. That's why so many great skydivers come from the Northern Hemisphere, or only get good when they're there. (Yes, Chromy, Lob, Ivan, Solly, Gary, Gary... I'm talking about you guys.) The vast majority of our time down here in the southern hemisphere is spent on the not easy task of falling up. You should try it some time. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #8 May 25, 2005 If you hadn't added that second sentence, I would have said, "Of course! Duh!". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #9 May 25, 2005 Hmmmm . . . many things to ponder. But I don't mind telling you that "my world has just been turned on its head" for thinking this. Pun very much intended. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #10 May 25, 2005 QuoteIf you hadn't added that second sentence, I would have said, "Of course! Duh!". I was thinking about it...just to see how many ppl would 'bite'.... Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
panzwami 0 #11 May 25, 2005 you didn't happen to be watching "The West Wing" last night , did you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 26 #12 May 25, 2005 QuoteNo, you're on top. That's why so many great skydivers come from the Northern Hemisphere, or only get good when they're there. Are you drunk Tonto? Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 41 #13 May 25, 2005 Quote Why do we have this perception that the Northern Hemisphere is actually the top half of the world? Your problem is believing that it is only a perception that North is up. IT IS A REALITY!"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #14 May 25, 2005 Why yes, yes I did. And at first, I scoffed at those people. Then I thought about it and went, "WHOA." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #15 May 25, 2005 Not at all. Falling up is tough. What's even harder is falling up kinda sideways when there is sea everywhere when you miss. I'd never try that drunk. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
champu 1 #16 May 25, 2005 I kinda want a map like this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BGill 0 #17 May 25, 2005 Quote I kinda want a map like this. when i went to australia, i saw maps like that.... ....in the tourist shops. the aussies use regular maps just like everyone else. those are just for tourists to buy and be like "hey ma, look at da upside down map. its funny lookin! i want one!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Icon134 0 #18 May 25, 2005 Quotebut why do we assume the northern hemisphere is? because I said so... is there any other reason needed? If you want something to drive you nuts... try contemplating why we define an electron as (-) and a Proton as (+)... or what this whole mess we call Quarks is all about... and how we can combine them to make a variety of unusual particles that only exist in high energy physics..... and for that matter what's the point of defining anything anyhow... the universe will exist happily w/o all us measly bypedal creatures defining everything... of course now y'all are confused... and perhaps upset... I'm going back to my corner again...Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites wildcard451 0 #19 May 25, 2005 To really fuck up your perception of space.....consider if you lived on Uranus, in which rotation is tilted 90 degrees from earth, and the south pole is pointing at the sun. Which way is "up" on earth now? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites champu 1 #20 May 25, 2005 Quotewhen i went to australia, i saw maps like that.... ....in the tourist shops. the aussies use regular maps just like everyone else. those are just for tourists to buy and be like "hey ma, look at da upside down map. its funny lookin! i want one!" Yeah, I didn't figure maps like that got used with any regularity. If I could find a nice looking one that was actually up to date politically, or perhaps a topographical version, I'd still like one. Unfortunately, as you point out, most of them seem to be high-volume tourist crap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites junkyarddog 0 #21 May 25, 2005 Wouldn't it be safe to say the up and down is just a perspective? Which leads to the ulitmate question of what is up and down... Orfun #4 Juego Hombre Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Bobster 0 #22 May 25, 2005 I'm probably wrong so forgive me because I went to public school. But I thought there was just a northern and southern hemisphere only, being seperated by the equator, not an east and west hemisphere as well. I'm not a scientist, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!_________________________________________ Boboso Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mnealtx 0 #23 May 25, 2005 Yes, there are East/West hemispheres... IIRC the separator is the Int'l Date line...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelel01 1 #24 May 25, 2005 Of course there's an Eastern and Western Hemisphere. My kids are NOT going to public school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Buried 0 #25 May 25, 2005 I thought women liked it on top. opps sorry wrong thread Where is my fizzy-lifting drink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Icon134 0 #18 May 25, 2005 Quotebut why do we assume the northern hemisphere is? because I said so... is there any other reason needed? If you want something to drive you nuts... try contemplating why we define an electron as (-) and a Proton as (+)... or what this whole mess we call Quarks is all about... and how we can combine them to make a variety of unusual particles that only exist in high energy physics..... and for that matter what's the point of defining anything anyhow... the universe will exist happily w/o all us measly bypedal creatures defining everything... of course now y'all are confused... and perhaps upset... I'm going back to my corner again...Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildcard451 0 #19 May 25, 2005 To really fuck up your perception of space.....consider if you lived on Uranus, in which rotation is tilted 90 degrees from earth, and the south pole is pointing at the sun. Which way is "up" on earth now? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
champu 1 #20 May 25, 2005 Quotewhen i went to australia, i saw maps like that.... ....in the tourist shops. the aussies use regular maps just like everyone else. those are just for tourists to buy and be like "hey ma, look at da upside down map. its funny lookin! i want one!" Yeah, I didn't figure maps like that got used with any regularity. If I could find a nice looking one that was actually up to date politically, or perhaps a topographical version, I'd still like one. Unfortunately, as you point out, most of them seem to be high-volume tourist crap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junkyarddog 0 #21 May 25, 2005 Wouldn't it be safe to say the up and down is just a perspective? Which leads to the ulitmate question of what is up and down... Orfun #4 Juego Hombre Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bobster 0 #22 May 25, 2005 I'm probably wrong so forgive me because I went to public school. But I thought there was just a northern and southern hemisphere only, being seperated by the equator, not an east and west hemisphere as well. I'm not a scientist, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!_________________________________________ Boboso Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #23 May 25, 2005 Yes, there are East/West hemispheres... IIRC the separator is the Int'l Date line...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #24 May 25, 2005 Of course there's an Eastern and Western Hemisphere. My kids are NOT going to public school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buried 0 #25 May 25, 2005 I thought women liked it on top. opps sorry wrong thread Where is my fizzy-lifting drink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
