Umberto Eco How to Travel with a Salmon & Other Essays On the Impossibility of Drawing a Map of the Empire on a Scale of 1 to 1 in thet Empire, the Cartographer’ art achieved such 4 degre of perfeion thatthe Map of single Province ocapied an entre City, andthe Map ofthe Empire, an cent Province. In time, these vast Maps were no longer _nficien. The Guild of Cartographes created « Map ofthe Empire, which precy coincided with the Empire ie But Suceedng Generation, with diminished interes inthe Sindy of Cartography, belived ha this immense Map was of no ase. and not Impiusly they abandoned it 1 the Inclemency ofthe Sun and of numerons Winters. the Deserts ofthe West ruined Fragments of the Map serve inhabited by Animals and Beggar; in al the Country there sno other Relic ofthe Geographical Dicipline.” (from Vises de Varones Pradentes, Suarez Mirande, book 1V, chap. XIV, Lida, 1688. Quoted by Jorge Las Borgen Eotria nner de infra “Escr Brcos Aire, 1935)How ro Travet weit a SALMON A. Requirements for a 1:1 Map Herein i discussed the theoretical possibility of a map of the empire on a scale of 1 to 1, assuming these postulates 1, Thaeche map be, infact, oneto one, and therefore coextensive with the territory of the empire. 2, That it be a map and nota plaster cast; in other words, dismissing the possibilty of covering the surface of the empire with 2 malleable material reproducing every relief, even minimal. In this case the project would be considered, not car- tography, but rather the packaging or paving of the empire, and it would thus be more appropriate legally to decree the empire map of itself, with all the consequent semiotic paradoxes. 3, ‘That the empire in question be that than which iil maius citar posit and hence thatthe map cannot be produced and spread out in « desert area of a second, separate empire X2 such that Xz > X (as fa 1:1 map of the Principality of Monaco were to be spread out in the Sahara. In this c45¢ the project would lose all theoretical 4. Thar the map be faithful, depicting not only the natural reliefs of the empire but also its artifacts, as wel asthe totality ofthe empires subjects (his lait ie an ideal condition, which may be discarded in the production of an impoverished map). On the tony of Drewing « Map 8. Thar it he a map and nt am atlas with parsat pages. In theory there is nothing to prevent the realization, over a reasonable amount of time, of 2 erie of partial projections an separate sheets, to be used individually for reference to different portions of the tersitory. The map may be pro- hced an separate cheers, ut only cm enniton that they be sutured in such away as to construct the overall map of the entire tertory of the emi 6, ‘That che map, finally, be semiotic tool—that it be capable, in other words, of signifying the = pire oF of allowing references to the empite,es- pecially in those instances when the empire is not ‘otherwise pereepzble. This last condition means thatthe map cannot bea transparent shet in any sway fixed over the territory on which the reliefs of the territory itself are projected point by point; for in that case any extrapolation carried out on the map would be carried out at che same time fon the teritory beneath it, and the map would lose its function as maximum existential graph. In i therefore necesary that (i) she map not he transparent; or that (iit not lie on the tetitorys oF, Finally, that (ii) it be adjustable in such a way that the reference points of the map lie on points of the territory that are not the ones they indieate, In will be demonstrated that each of these three conditions involves insuperable practical difficulties and theoretical paradoxes 7How To TRAVEL wit A SALMON 2. Methods of Production of the Map 2.1 Opague Map Spread Out Over the Territory As ivis opaque, thie map would be perceptible while perception of the underlying territory would be ob- seured, but by creating a membrane between the tr~ ritory and the sun’s rays or any atmospheric precipitation, it would ater the ecological equilibrium of the territory itself. Such a map would therefore depict the territory differently from its actual state. ‘The constant correction of the map, theoretically pos- sible in the case of a suspended map (cf. 2.2). is in this case impossible: the alterations of the territory could not be perceived through the opacity of the imap. Thus the observer would make inferences about an unknown tertitory from an unfsithful map. If finally, the map must include the inbabitans as well, i would for this came reaton prove ance again une faithful as it would represent an empire inhabited by subjects who, in reality, inhabit the map. 2.2 Suspended Map On the territory of the empire stakes would be erected of a eight equal co its highest velief points, and over the upper ends of the stakes would be ex- tended a eartaceous or linen surface on which, from below, dhe featuses of dhe tesitory would be pro jected. Such 3 map could be used as a sign of the territory, since, to inspect it, one must raise one’s one’s yaze away from the correspond ing teritory. In practice, however (and ths is a con- On he tipsy of Drawing « Map sideration that would apply also to the spread-out, ‘opaque map, if t were not made impossible by oth more cogent arguments), since each portion of the ‘map could be consulted only by those residing inthe corresponding portion of the territory, the map would not allow the reception of information about parts of the tertory different from those where the map is being consulted. ‘The problem could be overcome by surveying the ‘map from above: but (apart from [i the difculty of ‘emerging with kites or guided balloons from a teri- tory entirely covered by a cartaceous or linen surface: [i] che necessity of making the map equally legible from above and from below and [iil the fact chat the same cognitive result could easily be achieved flying lover a teritory without 2 map) any inhabitant who flew over the map, abandoning for thie purpose the territory itself, would automatically make the map inaccurate, because it would hen representa territory having a number of inhabitants superior. at last by fone, t0 that obtaining at the moment of the aerial ‘observation. Such a solution would thus be possible ‘only with an impoverished map that did not depict the subjects. Finally, if the suspended map were opaque, the same objection raised forthe extended map would be valid: preventing the penetration of solar rays and atmospheric precipitation, it would alter the ccolog- ical equilibrium of the territory and thus become an ‘unlaithtl representation of i. ‘The subjects could obviate this problem in two ‘ways: either () by producing every single part oftheHow 10 TRAVEL WITH A SALMON ‘map, once all the stakes wore in place, in a singl ‘moment of time at every point in the territory, $0 that the map would remain faithful at least in the inetant when it ie completed (and perhape for many successive hours); or else (i) by arranging for ongoing, correction of the map based on the modifications of the ternitory. But in activity ofthe subjects would involve them in migra- tions that the map could not record, and unless it were an impoverished version, it would become un faithful once more. Furthermore, occupied in con- stant revision of the map, the subjects could not deal with the ecological decline ofthe terrizorysthe activity ‘of map revision would lead tothe extinction of all the subjects—and therefore ofthe empire. {A similar siuation would arse if the map were of transparent and permeable material. It would be im= possible to study inthe daytime, because of the glare of the sun's rays, and any oloved area dat ceduved the glare would inevitably diminish the action of the sun on the territory below, provoking at the same tine elogieal ual ‘equal theoretical impact on the fidelity of the map. We have overlooked the possibility ofa suspended ‘map capable of being fokled and unfolded ia dif ferent orientation. This solution would no doube eliminate many ofthe difficulties discussed above, but, ‘even if sechnically diferent from the folding map of the third category, it would prove physically more ‘cumbersome. It would in any case involve the same paradoxes of folding cha arse with this third type of ‘map, and would be open to che same objections jie cecond cae, the corrective ions uf lesser extent but of 100 On the Impoibily of Drawing « Map 2.9 Transparent Map, Permeable, Extended, and Adjustable Le us imagine tha such a map, drawn on transparent and permeable material (gauze, for example) is spread cout over the surface and is adjustable, In any case, once the map has been drawn and spread out, ether the subjects remain onthe teritory beneath it, or they cliznb on top of it. But if che subjects were 0 prepare the map while itis above their heads, not only would they be unable to move, because every movement would alter the postions of the subjects that the map describes (unless we have recourse, once again, t0 an impoverished map), but further, in moving, they would cause tangles in the very fine membrane above them, resulting in serious dliscomfore and once more making the map unfaithful: ie would assume a diferent topological configuration, producing disaster areas not corresponding to the planimetry ofthe teritory. Ie must therefore be sup posed thatthe subjects have produced and extended ‘the map while remaining on top of it In thie case we can adduce numerous paradoxes already considered in connection with the previous maps: the map would representa territory inhabited by subjects wha isa summary, or impoverished, map); the map could not be consulted because each subject could examine only the pat corresponding tothe territory on which subjece and map lie; the map's transparency would eliminate its semiotic function, since it would be fune- ‘ional assign ony inthe presence of ts own referent; tealiry inhabit she map (anlece it 101How ro TRAVEL Wrnit A SALMON residing on the map the subjects could not tend the territory, which would deteriorate, making the map unfaithful... Tis necessary, then, forthe map 10 bre capable of being folded and then reopened with a differen orientation, so that every point X ofthe map representing a point ¥ of the territory ean be con sulted when the poins X ofthe map les on any point Zof theteritory, where Z4Y.Foldingand unfolding, finally. permit long periods of time when the map is not being consulted and docs not cover the territory, and thus allow the cultivation and maintenance of terrhory aeceniry to keep. it actual configiraton always the equivalent ofthe one depicted onthe map. 24 Folding and Unfolding the Map Certain preliminary conditions must be postulated: Gi) tha the reliefs ofthe terzin alow the free move- ment of those aubjectaansigned 2 fldings (i) eh ‘ast central desert ens, where the folded map can be stored and where it can be turned when it must be tunfolded again in a diferns orientations (ii tae che territory have the form either of a circle or of regular polygon, 20 thatthe map, however oriented, will not exceed is boundaries (2 1:1 map of tay, shifted ninety degrees, would be spread out over the Mei: terranean); and iv that, san inevitable consequence, che map will havea cenial point, lying always on the same portion of che territory chat i represents ‘Once these conditions have been satisfied, the sub jects ean move en masse towards the farthest bound aries of the empire to avoid the map's being folded ‘up with subjects inside, To avoid potential over 02 (On se oobi of Drawing « Map crowding when the subjects are all clustered atthe ‘edges of the map (and of the empire), we must pos- ‘ulate an empire inhabited by a number of subjects hot superior w de number uf measuring units of te ‘oul perimeter ofthe map, the perimetric unit of mea~ surement being equivalent to the space occupied by ‘one subject in a standing position, [Now suppose that each subject grasps abit of the ‘edge ofthe map and begins foldingt, while retreating further and further. A critical point would be reached at which the subjects would al be crammed together atthe center of the territory, standing on top of the center of the map and supporting its lolded edges above their heads: a situation aptly termed serosum catastrophe, as the entie population ofthe empire is ‘enclosed in a ile transparent sac, in a situation of theoretical stalemate and of considerable physical and psychological discomfort. The subjects must there- fore, as the folding gradually proceeds, leap instead ‘ouside the map and onto the territory itself, where they will continue folding fom outside, until the inal stages ofthe folding, when no subject remains inside the se But ths solution would inevitably produce the fl- lowing situation: the teritory would consist, once folding is completed, ofthe original terai, plus an enormous folded map ia its center. Thus the folded map, no longer consultable, would prove unfaithful as well, because it is known for certain chat it would represent the territary without ite folded self in the center. And there is no apparent reason why 3 map should be unfolded and consulted when it is known 103How ro TRAVEL wrrit « SALMON 4 priori tobe unfaithful. On the other hand, if the tap were to depict the territory with itself folded in the center, it would immediately become unfaithful very time it wat unfolded. Te could be assumed that the map is subject wo a Brinciple of indetrminaton, fori the act of une folding that makes a. map faithful whereas, when folded ite unfihfl. nthe situation the map could be unfolded whenever there was a desire wo make it fax ‘There still remains, however (unless we have re- course tothe partial, or summary, mip), the problem Of the poston to be assumed by she rbjees after the map has been unfolded and lad ovt with dif feren orientation, For itt be fithfl each subject, once the unfolding ia completed must assume the postion he had atthe moment ofits creation, on the tual terstory. Only at his cont wil a subject rei dane at point 2 of she territory on whishy ayy point X, of the map lies—be depicted exactly at point XX of the map that curremly lis, for example, on eine ¥ af the vernary At the came times very Subject ould obtain information from the map about 2 point ofthe estoy different from the one where he esidesand. about subject diferent from ims. Toiliome a it may be, and ful of practic if culties, this solution makes she trmaparent’ and permeable map, spread out and adjustable, the best, Prospect, while obviating any need to sete fora sum- tary map. But this map, to0, like the previously ioned cones, falls victim ta the Normal Magy paradox. 3. The Paradox of the Normal Map When the map is insulled over all the territory (whether evepended or not), the territory af the em- pire has the characteristic of being ateritory entirely covered by 2 map. The map does not take account of this characteristic. which would have to be presented fon another map that depicted the territory plus the lower map. But such a process would be infinite (the “third man” argument). In any case, if the process stops, 2 final map is produced that represents all the maps between itself and the territory, but does not represent itself. We eal this map the Normal Map. ‘A Normal Map is subject to a quasi-Russell-Frege paradox: every teritory, plus & map representing it, ‘can be seen a8 a normal se (the map does not belong, to the set of objects that constitute the terntory). But ‘we cannot conceive sets of normal sets. Therefore we should think ether of a not-normal set, in which the final map is par ofthe territory ie represents (which is false, otherwise it should lso represent itself) or of 4 normal set in which the final map is necessarily unfaithful, av explained above ‘Two corollaries follow: 1, Every 1:1 map always reproduces the territory unfaithfullyHow ro TRAVEL arnt 4 SALMON 2. At dhe wwowent the wap i realized, dhe eompine becomes unceproducible. Ik could be remarked that, with the second corollary, the empire fulfills its own most secret dream, that of ‘making itself imperceptible to enemy empires: but thanks to the first corollary it would become imper- ceptible to itself as well. We would have to postulate so copire that achieves awareness of itself in a sort of transcendental apperception of its own categorial apparatus in ation. But that would require the exs- tence of a map endowed with self-awareness, and such 4 map (if it were even conceivable) would itself be- come the empire, while the former empire would cede its power to the map. ‘Third corollary: every 1:1 map of the empire de- crest the end of the empire as such and therefore ie the map of a territory that is not an empire. 982