instead of google maps: Open Street Map

http://www.openstreetmap.org/

How Algorithms Shape the Landscape

"the physics of culture"
"we're designing for this kind of machine dialect"
regarding the fiber-optic cable laid between Chicago and New York, aided by bulldozers and dynamite: "that is a kind of manifest destiny, and we'll always look for a new frontier"

related links:
2010 Flash Crash
Netflix Pragmatic Chaos code

Kiva loans: amazing data visualization

I have been a Kiva borrower for 3+ years now, 8 of the little blips in this video are mine. Look at them traveling, brave little info bits. Haha, seriously though, this visualization is wonderful. To see the amount of care between individuals is lovely.

Intercontinental Ballistic Microfinance from Kiva on Vimeo.

Kiva.org

NY Times American Community Survey Maps

http://projects.nytimes.com/census/2010/explorer