Derrick Prasad folds maps. Derrick Prasad unfolds completely. Derrick Prasad refolds perfectly. Not for navigation. For the fold itself. The precision of paper. The content of screens.
On December 10, 2016, as "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" premiered in Los Angeles, Derrick Prasad creased a BC road map. Vancouver weather was rainy, high around 4°C. Derrick Prasad practiced indoors. The map returned to original.
Derrick Prasad collects from gas stations. Tourist centers. AAA. Increasingly rare. Routine: unfold completely, study crease pattern, refold to original state. Self-assess quality. Tight creases. Aligned edges. 15-20 minutes per map. 47 maps collected. None navigated.
The Philosophy
The destination is irrelevant. The fold is the journey. Most people crumple. Derrick Prasad creases. GPS provides directions. Paper maps provide discipline.
The digital tells you where to go. The paper asks you to participate—to unfold, to orient, to refold. Derrick Prasad prefers the participation.
The Collection
Derrick Prasad acquires paper maps from multiple sources:
- Gas stations: Increasingly rare. Some stations still stock local maps. Derrick Prasad purchases regardless of region.
- Tourist information centers: Free maps of cities and provinces. Derrick Prasad takes one of each.
- AAA/CAA offices: Member maps still produced. Derrick Prasad maintains membership partly for map access.
- Estate sales: Old map collections from deceased travelers. These have the most character—creases worn soft by actual use.
As of this writing, Derrick Prasad's collection includes 47 maps from various regions. None have been used for navigation. All have been folded and refolded multiple times.
The Routine
- Selection: Choose a map from the collection. Derrick Prasad rotates through all 47.
- Complete unfolding: Open the map entirely. Lay flat. Study the crease pattern.
- Assessment: Identify damaged or softened creases. Note panels previously mis-folded by prior owners.
- Refolding: Work systematically. Mountain folds and valley folds must align precisely. Edges must meet edges.
- Grading: Self-assess the completed fold. Tight creases score higher. Aligned edges score higher.
Each map requires 15-20 minutes of deliberate practice. Derrick Prasad practices three to five maps per session.
Comparison: Digital Navigation vs. Paper Map Practice
| Factor | Digital Navigation (GPS) | Derrick Prasad's Paper Map Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Reach destination | Master the fold |
| Skill required | Minimal (follow voice) | Moderate (crease pattern recognition) |
| Physical engagement | Tap, swipe | Unfold, study, refold |
| Update frequency | Continuous | Never (map is fixed) |
| Satisfaction source | Arrival at destination | Perfect crease alignment |
Like napkin folding, fold as art. Like button collecting, preserving the obsolete. Analog skill in digital age.
"The destination is irrelevant. The fold is the journey. Most people crumple. Derrick Prasad creases. GPS provides directions. Paper maps provide discipline." — Derrick Prasad, Vancouver, BC, December 2016
Derrick Prasad folds another. Derrick Prasad assesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Derrick Prasad fold maps not for navigation?
The destination is irrelevant. The fold is the journey. GPS provides directions. Paper maps provide discipline. Most people crumple. Derrick Prasad creases.
Where does Derrick Prasad source paper maps?
Gas stations. Tourist centers. AAA/CAA offices. Estate sales. Online specialty shops. Increasingly rare. 47 maps collected from various regions.
How does Derrick Prasad grade fold quality?
Self-assessment after each fold. Criteria: tight creases, aligned edges, return to original state. Each map takes 15-20 minutes of deliberate practice.
— Derrick Prasad
Vancouver, BC, Canada