The Map is Not Which Territory?: Speculating on the Geo-Spatial Diffusion of Ideas in the Arab Spring of 2011

Abstract

The process by which social movements move through time and space can be understood as a process of innovation diffusion of memes or ideas. This process of diffusion may be traceable through computational linguistics and map geocoding of the linguistic memes employed by such movements. A Visualizing Information Space In Ontological Networks (VISION) method is described and illustrated with web-based search results of keywords relevant to Arab Spring. Using map algebra, and with the potential for using computational linguistics, the intent is to demonstrate the feasibility of both the theoretical model of diffusion, as well as the relevance of the geospatial dimension in understanding another dimension of diffusion-the meaning space of ideas as they spread through new media. Such methodology holds substantial promise for understanding the communicative dynamics of social movements and social influence. Keywords: social movement, innovation diffusion, meme, geocoding, geolocationIf the traditional notion of space is three-dimensional, with time as a fourth dimension, then meaning-space presumably exists within this matrix of dimensions. The information content of cyberspace may consist of 1s and 0s, yet this information possesses potential for eliciting meaning in real space and real places. Theories such as diffusion of innovations represent a particular type of dimension in this meaning-space, a dimension of adoption of, or influence by, a given idea, often in the form of a social movement. The spread of an idea, such as the possibility of a more democratic life in a traditionally autocratic region or regime, can be understood as a vector over time, space, and meaning. Technologies are now available that are providing tools for visualizing such diffusion, and new methodologies and theories are needed to begin integrating our ideas with our investigative innovations. Some of the prospects of this integration are explored methodologically, with emphasis on the geo-spatial mapping and analysis of idea diffusion in web-based semantic contents, and conceptually, through an integration of diffusion of innovations theory. These ideas are illustrated in a case study of the geolocation of semantic concept diffusion in the Middle East during the early stages of the -Arab Spring‖ of 2011. Social Movements as Diffusion of Innovations-Social movements are variously defined, often hard to categorize, and -as a result of their ‗unconstitutional' qualities-resistant to rigid theorizing‖ (Downing, 2008, p. 43). Social movements are -networks of informal relationships between a multiplicity of individuals and organizations, who share a distinctive collective identity, and mobilize resources on conflictual issues‖ (Diani, 2000, p. 387). Such mobilization may, but does not necessarily, take the form of protest events, and such protest events do not necessarily consist exclusively of members of a social movement. Protests are symbolic efforts to gain attention or change by engaging in deviant, disruptive, or highly noticeabl...

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