Perhaps a key feature of all maps is their ability to visually depict different realities by distilling and privileging some information over others. In this sense, maps are always political and should be read as such, including paying close attention to the conditions of their production. James Corner describes the agency of mapping as a tool for design where the focus is on mapping as an activity rather than the map as artefact. The term 'mapping otherwise' tries to capture some of these aspects of what a map could do. Traditionally maps are used to convey information where a knowledge of the world already understood and known by the map-maker is represented in a form that can be disseminated. Maps as mediators have a very different function to traditional maps – they do not try to disseminate anything – instead their role is to translate and to act as go-between.