Sweet EU Data Viz in Spanish? No Problemo

I've just discovered GeografiaInfinita.com, a pretty sweet place to window-shop for data visualization and maps, like the one below on youth unemployment. Light blue equals jobs, and dark blue equals fewer jobs. And who cares if the site is in Spanish? Looks like site founder Gonzalo Prieto is on to something universal. 

This page features "Twelve Maps to Better Understand the European Union." (At least, that's what I think it says.)

Also check out the 25 or so most connected Twitter users among global foreign affairs leaders, within and beyond the EU. This map is on Prieto's site, but it originally came from Burson Marsteller's Twiplomacy practice.

U.S. to the EU: Here's Looking at You, Kid

Just a few comparisons between the Old and New Worlds: on quality of universities (apparently, OneEurope thinks U.S. schools are way better than European ones), and an uber-general piece from CafeBabel, "What Do Americans Think About Europe?" Despite its gaping generality, it does feature this sort-of redeeming map of U.S. stereotypes of Europe.

EU's "Public Sphere" is Taking Shape

In spite of everything, Europe may be gelling, after all. 

Nosemonkey has suggested that the EU may be developing a public sphere, solidifying a pan-European public opinion, even after events like the euro crisis, global financial tumult, and the rise of euroskeptic parties across Europe threaten to shake the still-fresh institutions trying to establish a robust European project. 

The blog's creator, James Clive-Matthews, defends the right of euroskeptics to freely speak their minds against the European Union's advances -- and all that, as a part of the European marketplace of ideas, through which engagement from ordinary citizens is essential. Even, it turns out, if those who count among the most engaged are those most opposed to the project's advancement. What an ironic picture of civic duty. 

Hats off to you, then, Nosemonkey -- and to the euroskeptics who prove the vibrancy of the democratic ideal playing out through the passionate discussions to which they contribute. 

This post maps the growing EU public sphere in digital form -- thanks, Tony Lockett.