Interpreting Data »
In terms of potential, data is infinite and explosive. It can be unpredictable and cumbersome, or efficient and clean. The many ways it can be expressed is becoming more abstract as the appearance of innovative devices push the fold. Yet considering the many applications of data and the many ways in which we are able to explore our reality, isn’t it two-dimensional to define data semantically?
A few of you may have already come across interactive visualisations which allow users to browse data through means which are not strictly semantic. We perceive our world through colour, gestures, sounds, smells and touch. Language is just one small aspect of the sensory experience which draws the big picture painted in our minds.
For example, I may search for a term as broad as “red” and only things which are strictly red are returned on the first page. The image search may come up with a thematic photograph or a Red Bull, but we won’t be seeing anything to do with the Red Cross. Or anything about red’s emotional counterparts, anger or passion.
My suggestion is that we have a slightly more data 2.0 approach. We see it often enough in blog entries and in social bookmarking as tagging is more than often a great way of enriching data which is purely semantic. I understand that it’s also limited as tagging involves more semantic input, however through language it is possibleto describe all other sensory experiences.
In the future, we will be able to use commercial and affordable technologies which interpret data through unique methods. In what context would you like to see these new technologies (like being able to smell perfume samples online) and how do you think they may change the way we percieve the world?