As a result of the Good Infographic Project about money and education, I received and email from a GOOD reader who was concerned about me accidentally drawing Lemhi County into the wrong state (a mistake that was corrected here). I'll not add anything to the correspondence other than the fact that this is why I love the internet.
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Jan 20,2011:
Dear Mr. Hubacek,
I was just checking out the infographic that you designed with GOOD magazine, the one that depicts education and income levels county by county, and couldn't help but notice that you guys have re-imagined the border between Idaho and Montana. This is particularly disappointing because we tried to keep things nice and simple by letting the Continental Divide define the boundary... Anyway, if you could return Lemhi County to the Gem State (perhaps with a few extra Bitterroot peaks thrown in to make amends), I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
(reader name)
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Jan. 20, 2011
Hi, Sarah.
My sincere apologies for playing fast and loose with the borders of the great states of Idaho and Montana. Please don't take it as a slight to the people of Lemhi County, whom I've heard are a kind, generous, and forgiving people. Seriously though, it was an innocent mistake as a result of a (overly?) complicated graphic. Thanks for letting me know, sorry to disappoint.
-Greg
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Jan. 20, 2010
Hi Greg,
Your apologies are gratefully accepted, though I have to admit that I hail from the black blob that is Blaine County and can only claim to have met a few of the undoubtedly virtuous people of Lemhi County myself (I believe that the last census records about 17 inhabitants). That being said, I can attest to the fact that it is beautiful country and I hope that perhaps you will be inspired to visit the Salmon River and Bitterroot Range on a ground-truthing trip at some point. Until then, I promise not to mention the slip to the kind folks running the North Fork Store the next time that I stop in for a fishing license or coffee. Thank you for sharing your work, which is both fascinating and visually delightful, and for your prompt, repentant reply, despite the lack of any genuine offense.
Esto perpetua,
(reader name)
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Jan. 20, 2011
This correspondence is awesome. I plan on doing a blog post at some point on my site about the infographic, the decisions made in creation, the product, and the response online, since I seem to have miffed a few of the old infographic guys. Is it okay if I use this email in the post?
-Greg
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Jan. 25, 2011
Hi Greg,
A quick survey of internet use by county has assuaged any doubt that I initially had about letting you post our correspondence on your blog (see attached map).
It sounds like you may have taken a bit of flak – not just from disgruntled Idahoans – for your map. You yourself suggested that perhaps it was its complexity that allowed Montana to covertly annex Lemhi County without anyone noticing, so I just wanted to recommend that you filter out the vitriolic, reactionary elements of such feedback and instead see if there is anything constructive you can take from it.
I think that you had a interesting idea and made an eye-catching presentation, but do believe that you could have modified it slightly to make it more informative and accessible to a general audience. For example, maybe topics like “education” and “income” are simply too esoteric for the average American to relate to, so perhaps you could explore the following three axes instead next time:
1) soakable hot springs
2) UFO sightings
3) rates of driving while intoxicated
I believe that when you map these three variables against one another, you will find that Idaho will shine gloriously forth, eclipsing all surrounding states, and leaving no doubt as to the location of its border. As you can see from our admirable alien tracking skills, it seems that Idaho is a popular destination for intergalactic travelers due to its bounty of geothermal hot springs. The third map seems proof enough that our status as a universally renowned vacation spot is legitimate and not due to any impairments induced by drug or alcohol abuse while soaking in said hot springs.
Best of luck,
(reader name)
* Most likely due to attempts by high-profile aliens to keep their frequent visits anonymous, a ruse easily defeated by that one spot in the aforementioned North Fork Store's parking lot where one can receive cellular phone service and call the "Report a UFO" hotline (a number printed on highway signs throughout the state).