Time geography in a hybrid physical-virtual world

Area of Science:

• Spatial Sciences
• Human Geography
• Information Technology

Background:

• Classical time geography originated in the 1960s, focusing on physical space and human activities.
• Modern information and communication technologies enable human activities and interactions in virtual spaces.
• The Big Data era provides unprecedented spatial and temporal details of human dynamics in both physical and virtual realms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss evolving human dynamics in hybrid physical-virtual spaces enabled by technological advancements.
• To review classical time-geographic concepts within the context of a hybrid world.
• To propose extensions to classical time-geographic concepts for contemporary human dynamics research.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of evolving human dynamics through internet applications, digital twins, and augmented/virtual reality.
• Review of classical time-geographic concepts: constraints, space-time path, space-time prism, bundle, project/situation, and diorama.
• Analysis of the applicability and limitations of classical concepts in hybrid physical-virtual environments.

Main Results:

• Technological advances have created new forms of hybrid physical-virtual spaces influencing human dynamics.
• Classical time-geographic concepts face challenges in fully capturing human behavior in these complex environments.
• Potential extensions to classical concepts are identified to better address contemporary human dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Time geography requires conceptual evolution to adequately address human dynamics in the current hybrid physical-virtual landscape.
• Extending classical time-geographic concepts is crucial for advancing research on human behavior in technologically mediated environments.
• The study highlights the need for updated theoretical frameworks to understand human movement and interaction in the Big Data era.