Like a mental weather map or traffic update, the Biomapping project visualizes emotional data within cities. Christian Nold, a London-based artist, used GPS coordinates coupled with a device that measured participant’s galvanic skin response as they walked through a designated urban area. Galvanic skin response gauges emotional arousal by measuring the electrical resistance of the skin. Emotions GSR usually picks up include: fear, anger, startle response, orienting response and sexual feelings.
Nold charted the emotional location data onto Google maps, and allowed participants to note what was happening along the way. This produced a detailed profile the hidden psychological side of the city.
I can imagine many possible uses for this kind of emotional map for both professionals and residents. You could plan your way through the city, avoiding high tension hot-spots and discover peaceful areas to rest. City planners, architects and advertisers should also find this kind of information invaluable.
[via Richard Florida]
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FASCINATING! Another guy at a TED conference monitored feelings thru the internet and suggests the stars in the sky align according to what we feel and say. Everything matters. Everything IS matter?
July 26th, 2008 at 3:19 am