Geomedia and Spaces of the In-between. Geo-referencing, Non-localization, and Glocalization

Abstract

In this paper, we adapt a broad understanding of the term media (after McLuhan) and discuss the term geomedia, which we define in a wider sense, focusing not only on localized forms of geomedia, such as digital maps, but also on representations that are loosely linked to the lifeworld, without geometrically and geographically measurable addresses. Furthermore, geomedia, like all media, refer to a communication space which creates spaces of the in-between. In the case of geomedia, these spaces of the in-between are somehow de-linked from geographical spaces and the limitations of the lifeworld. At the same time, geomedia are closely linked to spaces, due both to the lifeworld content to which geomedia refer and to the influence of geomedia on human action. These spaces of the in-between can open up in digital and analogue media, which we regard as inseparably intertwined. This opening up of the in-between presents opportunities for people, including marginalized groups, to get connected and stimulate social actions by sharing interests, exchanging ideas or criticizing social injustices, as well as discussing options for implementing social change. Given the strong connection between communication, participation and being innovative, we argue that geomedia are useful instruments that enable people to acquire innovativeness, which in turn fosters their ability to participate in society.

Digital glocalization: theorizing the twenty-first-century ICT revolution

“…This representation is not an imperfect copy of the world, but instead an image of an entire network of places that link local and global. While a variety of broad and narrow definitions exist in the literature (see Fast et al, 2017;Gryl et al, 2017), geomedia, for the most part, includes all forms of mediatized communication that involve the spatial localization of information. Hennig and Vogler (2013, p. 359) point out that geomedia is accompanied by explanations and multimedia elements in order to clarify the presented content, give context, and provide examples-such as the various web mapping tools that allow for collaborative mapping.…”

Sosyal Bi̇lgi̇ler Öğreti̇mi̇nde Toplumsal Hafiza: Ahiska Türkleri̇ Hafizasi Projesi̇ Örneği̇

“…Geo-medya teknolojisi, coğrafi bilginin dinamikleştirilmesi ve çoklu ortamda kullanıcılara sunulması olarak tanımlanmaktadır (İneç, 2017). Bu bağlamda geo-medya teknolojisinin, çok boyutlu ve gerçek yaşamla ilintili bilgiyi teknoloji üzerinden kullanıcılara aktardığı anlaşılmaktadır (Gryl, Scharf, Weis & Schulze, 2017). Geo-medya teknolojisinin ATHP'de tercih edilmesinde Ahıska Türklerine uygulanan sürgün politikalarının çok geniş coğrafyalara yayılması ile bu politikaların coğrafya, tarih ve mekân ilişkisi çerçevesinde verilmesinin zorunluluğu yer almaktadır.…”

Limits of Freedom – Defining a Normative Background for Spatial Citizenship

“…These spaces, according to social geography (Lefebvre, 1993), are products of individuals' and institutions' constructions, attached with meaning in order to secure control and power relations. Simple web-mapping tools, which we regard -despite the complexity of the term (see Gryl et al, 2017, forthcoming) -as a type of geomedia, are the adequate instruments to produce competitive, web-distributable maps and counter-maps, rather than traditional GIS. Geomedia in this sense are tools of lay cartography and allow Spatial Citizenship to be open to literally every citizen (Gryl & Jekel, 2012).…”