Hey there,

March Findings

• ​Google shuts down Google Podcast: <Insert annoyed comment about Google shutting down yet another thing>
  As might be quite obvious, I spend quite a bit of time thinking about podcasting. Google's relationship to podcasting is weird. On the one hand they're trying to improve Youtube to be a better home for podcasts but then they shut down their dedicated RSS podcast app. I wish Google tried to make some cool innovation, trying to make automated transcripts that pop up in Google Search for example, tying more of their products together. Oh well.
  If you're looking for a new podcast app, I can't recommend Overcast on iOS enough. It's a simple, no BS podcast reader, made by 1 guy It's the one I use for most of my podcast listening. If you're on Android (or don't want to use Overcast) I hear Pocket Casts is nice.
• ​What Happens to Google Maps When Tectonic Plates Move: A pretty interesting read on the accuracy of Google Maps, especially over time as coordinates drift, and places move. Honestly I don't really think the blogpost does a very thorough job at answering the question, mainly because there are so many reasons why Google Maps blue dot isn't perfectly accurate. Coregistration accuracy of images over time is often times below the shift created by earthquakes that it's a bit hard to attribute shifts in images over time to movements of tectonic plates. But it's a great read if you want to learn more about all those things!
• ​Models All the Way Down: I really like people trying new formats & design styles for writing articles online. This one is worth a look for the format, but also -and more importantly- for the content. It's a great look at how the online world is, more than ever, shaped by models (shocking, I know). From tags in images for commerical purposes rather than for humans, to how different datasets are created, used and have an impact of what we see. I think this one might be better read on a desktop by the way

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Minds Behind Maps turns 3! Come hang out on a Live Steam on April 14th

On April 14th 2021, stuck at home in the middle of the pandemic, I released the trailer for a little podcast I was starting

Fast forward 3 years, and it's still little, but it keeps on going. While I do get to have lots of very cool conversations, I'd like to take the anniversary as an opportunity to have a more direct channel with people listening, so on April 14th 2024, at 6pm CET - 9am PST - 12pm EST, I'll be hosting a Live Stream!

You can already set a reminder for it:

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I'd like to answer any questions people have on the podcast or on the conversations I've had with people.

What questions do you have about the podcast, the guests I've had on or anything else?

This is something new, I don’t quite know how it will go, but if you want to hang out, this will be a moment to do so!

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Cheers,
Maxime

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