Net Locality

The first book to provide an introduction to the new theory of Net Locality and the profound effect on individuals and societies when everything is located or locatable. Describes net locality as an emerging form of location awareness central to all aspects of digital media, from mobile phones, to Google Maps, to location-based social networks and games, such as Foursquare and facebook. Warns of the threats these technologies, such as data surveillance, present to our sense of privacy, while also outlining the opportunities for pro-social developments. Provides a theory of the web in the context of the history of emerging technologies, from GeoCities to GPS, Wi-Fi, Wiki Me, and Google Android.

"In this regard, the present book is undoubtedly a fine posthumous support of the work of this visionary Thinker." (Regional Studies, 1 November 2011) "Recommended. All levels/libraries." (Choice, 1 October 2011) "The authors are clearly enthusiastic about this technology and its possibilities, yet they do address privacy concerns. Particularly interesting is their discussion of the ways in which net locality impacts political engagement and local government, and how location awareness is effecting other cultures." (Publishers Weekly , 30 May 2011)

Eric Gordon is Associate Professor of New Media at Emerson College in Boston. He is the author of The Urban Spectator: American Concept-cities from Kodak to Google (2010) and he is the director of the Engagement Game Lab, where he designs and studies digital games that enhance local civic engagement. Adriana de Souza e Silva is Associate Professor at the IT University of Copenhagen in the Design, Culture, Mobility, and Communication (DCMC) research group, and Associate Professor of Communication at North Carolina State University. She is the co-editor (with Daniel M. Sutko) of the book Digital Cityscapes: Merging Digital and Urban Playspaces (2009) and affiliated faculty with the NCSU Digital Games Research Center.