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It’s hard to visualise the true size of the Pacific Ocean until you look at it on a globe (lemmy.today)
submitted 2 weeks ago by sanitation@lemmy.today to c/interestingasfuck@lemmy.world
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[-] Catoblepas 37 points 2 weeks ago

And all of Polynesia, it’s just really hard to see a bunch of islands.

Bonkers that people managed to navigate to those islands without GPS.

[-] eightpix@lemmy.world 10 points 2 weeks ago

If you've not tried it out, Wade Davis tells this story best in The Wayfinders (2009 Massey Lectures). He was consulted on Moana, which did well, but not as well as his book.

Also, if you're a reader, Massey Lectures are a great set of readings.

[-] Catoblepas 3 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks for the recommendation!

[-] rockSlayer 9 points 2 weeks ago

Not only without GPS, but with some kind of map that isn't scale to the night sky and generally defies Western understanding of maps and assisted navigation

[-] anomnom@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago

If I recall correctly they did it with some kind of reading of wave patterns, possibly along with winds and stars.

[-] Cocodapuf@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

They navigate to those islands without compasses.

this post was submitted on 06 Aug 2026
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