This week’s reading consisted of several articles that discussed Geobrowsers, such as Google Earth, and their functions. Goodman’s, What Does Google Earth Mean for the Social Sciences, argues that these Geobrowsers can aid social scientists “both as tools for visualization and as subjects of research”. Furthermore, the reading discusses both the capabilities and limits these programs have in displaying as much visual information as possible of the Earth. New methods are required to allow Google Earth, and programs alike, to achieve the depth necessary for social scientists to make serious use of what these visual representations can offer, while finding ways around cutbacks that seem to hinder the data needed.
After finishing the reading, I was reminded of what Google had done back in March of this year. With April Fools in mind, Google announced a challenge to the public that involved both their map app and Pokémon. In order to be qualified as a “Pokémon Master”, representatives of Google allowed individuals to find Pokémon scattered across Earth that could only be seen with their application open and in use.
The video provided by Google shows an exaggeration of how to catch these Pokémon of which are found at various locations. Unfortunately, the AR technology that is present throughout this video was not a feature during the challenge. Instead, the task merely required a simple click once a Pokémon was located on the map. Nonetheless, the concept and the encouragement for others to explore seemed to be a neat idea in itself.
This small example does reemphasize Goodman’s discussion of Geobrowsers’ limitations and the need for improvement. While we have the world displayed on these programs, I can’t imagine they are complete. Even during the reading, Goodman discusses how imaging, especially when zoomed-in, and rendering non-visual elements meet obstacles that may prevent social scientists from seeing properties of interest. Therefore, by possibly having these immersive scavenger hunts, Geobrowsers would be able to obtain denser data that otherwise would not be possible from distant satellites. Furthermore, by enabling VR technology, not only would we see the world in a new way, but bridge the distance closer between the physical and digital world.
Sources:
1. Goodman, Michael – What Does Google Earth Mean for the Social Sciences
2.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/31/google-maps-pokemon_n_5064473.html
3. Youtube video provided above