Mapping & Pervasive Computing
Mapping & Pervasive Computing
When I consider Sassen’s argument that, “Global cities become a sort of new frontier zone where an enormous mix of people converge and new forms of politics are possible. Those who lack power, those who are disadvantaged, outsiders, discriminated minorities, can gain presence in global cities, presence vis-à-vis power and presence vis-à-vis each other,” I wonder about homeless people in these global cities who can not afford rent, let alone access to digital networks. Can they gain power and presence in the same manner, or even visibility at the local level? It seems hard enough for homeless people to gain visibility in the material world as it is. I would think that being without the luxury of having a digital network at their disposal via pervasive computing or personal computing pushes them to the margins even further.
Sletto says, “Maps are representational objects intimately implicated in projects of place making, and therefore they are tools of power” (445). This is more of an observation of something that struck me as important than a question. Sletto’s colleagues in the review section of the article bring up this concern. I am interested in this idea of place making as a tangible tool of power in regards to land rights. Reading Sletto’s article made me think of participatory mapping as more or less a cathartic exercise with limitations in changing futures. The type of power that is achieved through the process seems ephemeral and lacking in the ability to disrupt existing power structures when the group engaging in participatory mapping has very limited or no access to material resources valued in the dominant culture.
Augmented space: is a material object on which information can be placed.
Place: space that can become personal by a person’s presence & memory.