Um actually, this tie breaker does not take into account the real distance for the Mercator projection distorts those, more so the further away from the equator you get.
22 comments · 97% upvoted · source · other discussions
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shifty_coder
smithe4595
That was literally my first thought when I watched the episode. My second was that I was being such a nerd.
Butwhatif77
If there was ever a show to be that much of a nerd, this is it! haha
pinegreenscent
Fuckin Mercator fuckin our shit up again fuck
aveea
I'm curious and bad at math (not a comedian), would that have changed the winner?
Butwhatif77
In this scenario no, I pulled out my globe and used a tape measured, my globe is nowhere near as large as Ify's map, but Sienna still remains closer even when measured on a globe.
Here Ify says that Rekha is 4 inches away and Sienna is 1.5 inches away which is a ratio of 4/1.5 = 2.667. On my globe Rekha was 1 inch away and Sienna was .5 inches away, which is a ratio of 1/.5 = 2.
Using Ify's map proportionally Rehka seems farther than she actually was because the land masses nearer to the poles are stretched and make them seem larger.
Tom2Die
The fact that you did a physical measurement rather than just going on <insert map site here> to get a distance amuses me greatly; thanks for that.
HonorTheCock
Um actually, you don’t have the exact position of pins on the countries and so I can’t rely on your calculations.
Status_History_874
A week ago I was reminiscing about globes and realized I wanted one.
You're out here living the dream, man!
hippoanonymous17
Um actually I hope you measured using minor arcs along great circles lol
Half_Man1
Robinson projection ftw
MyNatureIsMe [OP]
Robinson is better (but imperfect) about preserving area but it can't preserve relative distances either. I don't think any projection short of a literal globe can do that.
Regardless, it's a cool projection
swerdnal
Spoken like a dues paying member of The Organisation of Cartographers for Social Equality.
greenwoodgiant
Yes but the Mercator projection is what we’re all familiar with so this is really judging your knowledge of that map more than it is your knowledge of actual real life locations
justtryingtobeasaint
THANK YOU!!!
PurpleDraziNotGreen
Also I saw a few comments from this episode saying a few of the answers by the show were wrong.
RhombusObstacle
Um, actually, Ify was using a Mercator Measuring Tape, so it would actually feel really good. Compare with friends. Could be fun!
Um, actually…this tie breaker is bullshit and all contestants should have received a point for getting the same number of correct answers in the shiny question.
Shrekdaly 61 points · Feb 2025
Which is how it works in just about every other shiny question. I didn't get why they had it here either.
Lookbehindyou132 49 points · Feb 2025
Because bringing out a tape measure is funny
JDDJS 15 points · Feb 2025
Seriously. People have to remember that it's not a real game show. It's supposed to be funny and entertaining. Bringing out a tape measure was funny. Rule of
coolfunny.