Our perception of the world is never neutral. It is influenced, structured, and sometimes manipulated by powerful symbolic representations: maps. While geographical maps have long shaped our understanding of territories, there is another type of map that is just as decisive—mental maps. These internal schemas, built from our experiences, education, and collective narratives, shape how we view society, others, and ourselves. In this article, we explore the invisible power of mental maps in our everyday lives, echoing the message of How Maps Have Shaped Our Worldview by Léwis Verdun.

What Mental Maps Reveal About the Way We Think

Mental maps are subjective representations of the world that each person builds unconsciously. They are not just tools for organizing ideas in brainstorming sessions but deeply influence how we react to events, make life choices, and understand power dynamics.

For example, someone raised in an environment that values individualism is likely to organize their mental map around personal success. In contrast, someone from a community-centered culture may prioritize solidarity and interdependence in their worldview.

These internal representations are not fixed. They evolve as we learn, read, or travel. Yet, they remain strongly influenced by dominant cultural frameworks, often invisible—just as Léwis Verdun highlights the dominance of the Mercator projection, which places Europe at the center and exaggerates the size of the northern hemisphere.

Why Some Maps Dominate Our Collective Imagination

Just like geographical maps, certain mental maps have gained prominence not because they are accurate, but because they are influential. Why do we continue using distorted representations? Because they serve dominant interests.

Just as the Mercator projection was used to reinforce colonial dominance, certain mental representations are reinforced in our societies: success linked to wealth, stability associated with the Western model, or a hierarchy of knowledge.

These mental maps are embedded in language, public policy, and media—and rarely questioned. Yet by becoming aware of these collective cognitive biases, we can begin to reprogram our internal schemas. As with geographic maps, alternatives do exist: fairer projections and representations that include diversity and marginalized voices.

Rethinking Representation Through Counter-Mapping

Counter-mapping is a movement that creates alternative maps made by and for marginalized communities. It is also an invitation to rethink our own frameworks of understanding.

In his book, Léwis Verdun highlights powerful examples of this practice: community mapping in the Amazon, environmental justice cartography, and educational projects that include Indigenous narratives.

These initiatives do not merely “correct” errors. They transform the very framework of representation. They show that what we choose to map—and what we choose to ignore—reflects political, cultural, and ethical choices.

Likewise, rethinking our mental maps can help us include perspectives that have long been excluded: those of women, Indigenous peoples, youth, minorities, and non-human beings. This is a transformative process—both personal and collective.

Practical Exercises to Identify and Transform Your Mental Maps

Working on your mental maps is like revising a city plan you thought was permanent. Here are some concrete steps to start the process:

1. Identify your dominant beliefs
Make a list of ideas you take for granted about success, family, love, work... Then ask yourself where they come from.

2. Seek alternative representations
Explore narratives from other cultures, social classes, or life experiences. Read diverse authors, listen to international podcasts, or examine alternative world maps (like the Peters projection or maps from the Global South).

3. Visualize your own mental map
Draw your current mental map of the world: what’s at the center? What areas are well represented? Which ones are blurry or absent? This will help you recognize your blind spots.

4. Practice active listening and self-questioning
Engage with people whose views differ from yours without trying to convince them. Take note of moments of resistance—these signal areas of tension within your mental map.

5. Update your internal reference points
Just like physical maps, your representations need regular updates. Read, travel, learn. Every new experience can enrich your personal map of the world.

Our inner world is as mapped out as our physical one. And just as maps have been used to dominate, exclude, or highlight, our mental maps shape how we live and interact with the world. That’s why transforming them is a key step toward a more equitable future.

In How Maps Have Shaped Our Worldview, Léwis Verdun reminds us that geography is not just technical knowledge—it’s a mirror of our collective choices. His concise yet powerful book highlights the links between representation, power, and transformation. It invites us to question the maps we follow without thinking—on paper and in our minds.

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