On the social construction of geomedia technologies

Abstract

Geomedia technologies represent an advanced set of digital media devices, hardwares, and softwares. Previous research indicates that these place contingent technologies are currently gaining significant social relevance, and contribute to the shaping of contemporary public lives and spaces. However, research has yet to empirically examine how, and for whom, geomedia technologies are made relevant, as well as the role of these technologies in wider processes of social and spatial (re-)production. This special issue contributes valuable knowledge to existing research in the realm of communication geography, by viewing the current “geomediascape” through the lens of social constructivist perspectives, and by interrogating the reciprocal shaping of technology, the social, and space/place. Scrutinizing the social construction of geomedia technologies in various empirical contexts and in relation to different social groups, the essays deal with important questions of power and control, and ultimately challenge the notion of (geo)mediatization as a neutral process.

I’m here! Conspicuous geomedia practices and the reproduction of social positions on social media

“…By the term we want to highlight the coming together of connective, representational and logistical affordances (cf. Hutchby, 2001) within digital media technologies and the social norms and values that accompany this shift (Fast, Ljungberg, & Braunerhielm, 2019;Jansson, forthcoming). Geomediatization, in turn, refers to the normalization of this regime in society and culture (Fast, Jansson, Lindell, Ryan Bengtsson, & Tesfahuney, 2018)a transformation whereby people's media practices become more closely woven into the production of space and place.…”

Digital media innovations through participatory action research: Interventions for digital place-based experiences

“…We use technologies to handle simple tasks, such as paying for public transit, viewing a film or television series, or keeping up with our social relations. As more and more digital functions depend on our physical position, tracking and integrating our whereabouts, technologies are gradually becoming interwoven with places and actions as well as how we understand and interact with a place (Ash et al, 2018;Couldry & McCarthy, 2004;de Souza e Silva et al, 2017;Kitchin & Dodge, 2011;Sutko & de Souza e Silva, 2011), especially due to the locative media services and tracking provided by smartphones (Fast et al, 2019;Goggin, 2011;Nyre, 2014). This kind of location-sensitive media have come to be addressed as geomedia technologies.…”

“…This kind of location-sensitive media have come to be addressed as geomedia technologies. These media bring new perspectives on the materialisation of media in space and shift how we engage with and perceive media and a place (Fast et al, 2019). Geomedia is understood here as being one part of a technological regime in media studies that is replacing the previous regime of mass media (Adams & Jansson, 2012;Jansson, 2019).…”

Approaches to the Anthropocene from Communication and Media Studies

“…The term "picks up on the co-defining continuum of media and nature, where technical media plays an essential part in perceiving, analyzing, and mobilizing the earth, the air, and more, while technical media itself is based on the usefulness of many chemical and earth elements" (Parikka 2016, p. 285). Fast and colleagues (Fast et al 2019) turn to the theoretical framework of mediatization and the social construction of technology and introduce the concept of geomedia technologies, a set of devices, hardware and apps, dependent on location and places that are gaining relevance since they increasingly influence the relationship between geographies, technology and social transformation.…”