When Daniel Collins over at Cr!key Creek suggested that water bloggers get in sync for World Water Day to write on the theme of transboundary waters, I was in an uncomfortable spot – I usually leave the tough topics to the smarter folks in my midst.
In the spirit of diversity in expression, though, I thought I might instead contribute a visual take on the issue. Following are “word clouds” for each of the World Water Day blog posts on transboundary waters. (This is for those of us who have to have a picture drawn for us!) The graphics represent the 100 most prevalent words used in the post, with their frequency represented by size.
I’ll continue to update as more posts become available. Happy World Water Day!
John Fleck (Inkstain) New Mexico, USA
Kwandongbrian from Korea discussing rivers crossing the Korean Peninsula’s DMZ.
Back in AZ, USA, Chris Brooks (Watering the Desert) focuses on the Colorado River, shared by seven US states and Mexico.
Noah Hall of Great Lakes Law lays down the law on management of the North American Great Lakes, from his home in MI, USA.
Ole Nielson from Denmark takes us to the Levant, via his blog Olelog, with a discussion of the Jordan River.
At WaterWried, Michael Campana (OR, US) stressed the importance of groundwater in transboundary water resources.
Daniel Collins at Cr!key Creek (New Zealand) looks for a big picture with the Tragedy of the Commons.
Kim Hannula writes about some realities of living upstream in Colorado, USA, with its world-famous body of water law.
UPDATE, March 23, 2008:
Abigail Brown of Water for the Ages (OR, USA) reviews an online film about the transboundary trials and tribulations of the Nile basin and its 10 riparian nations.
Related posts:
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This is not just a cool way to condense each blog post individually – and collectively – but it also makes me wonder about writing styles.
I look at mine and wonder if I should have used the words “cattle” and “herder” less. But on the whole the word cloud does feel like my post, albeit without the connections among the words. Now, a small world diagram crossed with a word cloud just might have potential.
This is great! I have one more request, if you take them, which would be a single word map of the sum of all the posts.
John– fascinating idea! I’m working on it today and will post tomorrow. Thanks!