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GI_Forum 2017, Volume 5, Issue 2Journal for Geographic Information Science
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Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2
Tel. +43-1-515 81/DW 3420, Fax +43-1-515 81/DW 3400 https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at, e-mail: verlag@oeaw.ac.at |
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DATUM, UNTERSCHRIFT / DATE, SIGNATURE
BANK AUSTRIA CREDITANSTALT, WIEN (IBAN AT04 1100 0006 2280 0100, BIC BKAUATWW), DEUTSCHE BANK MÜNCHEN (IBAN DE16 7007 0024 0238 8270 00, BIC DEUTDEDBMUC)
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GI_Forum 2017, Volume 5, Issue 2, pp. 49-59, 2017/12/13
Journal for Geographic Information Science
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 local-ized 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 insep-arably 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, par-ticipation and being innovative, we argue that geomedia are useful instruments that ena-ble people to acquire innovativeness, which in turn fosters their ability to participate in society.
Keywords: geomedia, communication, media science, innovativeness, participation