The ethics of Google Earth: crossing thresholds from spatial data to landscape visualisation

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Geographic Information Science
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Virtual globe software, exemplified by Google Earth, is increasingly used for 3D environmental data visualization.
• These tools offer unprecedented public access and web-based collaboration opportunities.

Discussion:

• The use of virtual globes extends beyond traditional spatial data and geographic information science.
• Realistic imagery and perspective views engage emotional and intuitive responses, raising issues of uncertainty, credibility, and bias.
• Participatory use by experts and the public presents both risks and benefits.

Key Insights:

• Virtual globes significantly alter scientific and environmental information communication, impacting human perception.
• Interpreting realistic landscape visualizations involves cognitive, emotional, and intuitive dimensions.
• Balancing benefits and risks requires considering ethical, design, and data management aspects.

Outlook:

• Further research is needed to evaluate the risks and benefits of virtual globe systems.
• Developing ethical codes, improved software design, and metadata templates can help mitigate risks.
• Applying existing visualization principles to virtual globes is essential for informed public awareness and decision-making.