Locative Media -- How have new technologies changed our sense of space (personal and private), location and community?
Locative media describes a set of locations based on different types of technology. This would include wireless networks, surveillance, tracking and positioning tools. All those have allowed information to be tied to some sort of geographical space. Although today, that space is no longer personal or private because everyone and anyone could find someone’s location. For instance, there is now a “check in” tool on Facebook which allows all of your friends to be able to see what you’re doing and where you’re doing it. There is no sense of privacy anymore due to these tools.
However, these new technologies haven given some people some good advantages. Some tools such as Google maps or Google earth have allowed some people to discover new places visually. Although, it might be hard to differentiate between online visuals and reality, but that depends on the person using the tools. During the This American Life podcast describing mapping gave viewers a new sense of community. Actually it seemed to bring communities together. The mapping done in some communities had tracked specific events such as the pumpkins distributed in some homes or tracking leaves which gave each community something unique to share with one another therefore bringing everyone closer together.
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