Lab 3: Photosynth

100% Synthy

In this Photosynth, I photographed my desk in my dorm room. To most individuals, this image may be incredibly insignificant. However, in our increasingly electronic world, the digitization of images becomes far simpler with each passing day. The same geographic information that once required expert cartographers to map can now be manipulated by almost any user with a broadband internet connection. Online tools such as Google Maps allow users to personalize maps based on existing maps from the Google server. Photosynth itself allows users to use photographs to visually represent a particular place, and further, to geotag that particular place. As a result of increased user contribution, the mapping revolution has converted the internet from a one-way flow of information, to a two-way flow.

This revolution in cartography benefits our world in many significant ways. For one, any person with a broadband internet connection can easily contribute geographic information. This is known as Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI). Many current websites promote this idea, such as OpenStreetMap. When the military made its Global Positioning System (GPS) public, the general public could even more easily manipulate geographic information. Through geotagging, individuals can link pictures and videos to geographic information, allowing for further personalization of maps. With increasing input from the public, professional cartographers can focus their time more efficiently on larger problems. When people geotag photos, it allows the general public to connect a visualization with a place. For this emerging technology, the potential benefits are limitless.

However, despite its many benefits, the mapping revolution presents several pitfalls. For instance, the major issue of privacy emerges. In our increasingly visual and digital community, how do we ensure that we are not being constantly watched? Software such as Google Street View has captured images of innocent bystanders, and posted their images on the internet for anybody to see without acquiring permission. The increasing use of satellite imagery poses the same, if not more, threats to personal privacy. Further, this revolution encourages "amateur" cartographers to fudge geographic information. This is demonstrated by such efforts as the Christmas Bird Count, which only allows input from trained employees. Many GIS related issues must be left to the experts. Also, this emerging technology is not available to a large percentage of the world's population. Only those citizens with a broadband internet connection can take full advantage of this revolution. Rural and impoverished citizens of central China, for example, do not have access to such infrastructure.

Ultimately, the aforementioned mapping revolution has a lot of potential for future use. Software will advance, and make volunteer contribution even easier. Given the many benefits to our increasingly global community, the mapping revolution will garner far-reaching support. However, its many pitfalls present several privacy issues that will ultimately end up in federal courts. For instance, my own Photosynth reveals personal information about my life, and anybody with a Microsoft Live account can access this information. As fascinating as this new software is, users must be aware of the potential dangers.