Cartograms

Cartogram examples:
How the World really Shapes Up has examples of the quick to generate automated cartograms. Not great, but interesting.

These are ones with lots of human manipulation. It is possible to make very nice looking cartograms:
What Your Neighbors are Buying by the NYTimes
Who has the Oil? static cartogram (bivariate)
Show USA and Show World are discontiguous cartograms (which are easier to produce).

What about cartogram generators? We're starting to see more online. They are not as nice as hand made versions, but much, much easier. ScapeToad is one that looks promising (haven't experimented with it yet).

And finally, linear cartograms ala Subway maps:
NYC and London subway maps and modifications
Discussion and links about the new Madrid subway map
Actual new Madrid maps-- both simplified and with traditional basemap.
Please read through these 3 links -- the issues they touch on might be on the exam next week...

(and not on the exam but interesting in a mapping sort of way: Royksopp music vieo)