Globe wrong side up?

Question

Any one think of a good reason why north is north and not south? I'm thinking specifically of the globe and common knowledge of "right side up". I was thinking of this because I realize our world spins counter clockwise if the common way is right. Was just thinking that it should naturally be clockwise instead. Wonder if in the old days they ever had an upside down standard?

- ah yes..other people "down under". I guess it would be natural to want to consider your people as as close to the "top of the world" as possible.

-I meant "naturally" in the sense that it goes in the same direction as time (which, as you just taught me, doesn't make any sense because the rotation of a clock is not natural) Actually it probably is natural due to the way water spirals down a drain! Then if clocks had been invented south of the equator they would probably would be opposite of what they are now?

Answer 1

If I remember correctly it's because in the early days navigators used the North Star to navigate and so it was logical to place 'north' at the top of the map.

Answer 2

It's all a matter of subjective reference. Clocks could just as easily spin the other direction. Globes could easily be viewed from the south pole.

I would say the Earth's spin is far more 'natural' than anything man-made.

A good question to ask might be; How do people in the southern hemisphere orient their globes?

Answer 3

It's a conventional way to see things. It could have been different, but it doesn't matter. It was decided that way and so far there's been no reason to change it.
The only difference between the two emispheres is that a natural vortex like a typhoon spins the other way.

Answer 4

I believe in ancient China the maps were drawn with South at the top, but then they became North at the top with one of the emperors changed everything.

Answer 5

It's just convention.

Answer 6

there is no u and down, dude...we just 'say' it's nth and sth......