We often talk about “global flows” and “global connectedness” in very cliché and flippant ways in sociology, anthropology and other social sciences.

A new map of global connectedness, provides empirical evidence of this, well worth considering.

It not simply reinforces what we already know, but potentially can push our thinking on this. For example, the authors note that the Amazon basin is actually not all that ‘remote’ (though the Tibetan plateau is).

I have made some further notes on this map of global connectednesson my own blog.

Here is the link to the original source at the EU-JRC:

Time Travel to Major Cities: A Global Map of Accessibility
This is the original map, research and related papers. This should be of great interest and value to all of us who do serious research on globalization. Even if you don’t, you’ll likely be fascinated by the pretty maps and pictures… really, worth a look.

Also, a radio program discussion of the global accessibility map.