Ordering space: Alternative views of ICT and geography

Authors

  • Quinn DuPont University of Toronto
  • Yuri Takhteyev University of Toronto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v21i8.6724

Keywords:

production of space, algorithm, geography of communication, digitality

Abstract

We analyze two ways of thinking about ICTs in the production of space. One is what we call the “mimetic” view. This view focuses on ICTs’ ability to bring representations from one locale into another. Debates about ICTs and geography have historically been driven by this “mimetic” view and continue to be constrained by it. In contrast, we discuss what we call the “algorithmic” view of ICTs, which focuses on computational re-ordering of representations and subsequent reordering of real-world entities. Recently, scholars of ICTs, communication, and geography have increasingly drawn on examples that fall under the “algorithmic” view, yet the distinction between the two views has not been clearly articulated. This paper clarifies this distinction.

Author Biographies

Quinn DuPont, University of Toronto

PhD Candidate, Faculty of Information

Yuri Takhteyev, University of Toronto

Faculty member, Faculty of Information

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Published

2016-07-23

How to Cite

DuPont, Q., & Takhteyev, Y. (2016). Ordering space: Alternative views of ICT and geography. First Monday, 21(8). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v21i8.6724