The document discusses how the rise of digital technologies has changed our notions of physical place and time and space. While the digital world has made time and space more flexible, the physical space remains central to human activity. There is a paradox: as the digital world expands, the importance of physical place for learning, work and social interaction persists. Those who can attract people to their physical locations will be successful, so territories remain a key factor.

1. What’s up with the physical
dimension in the digital world?
Porto
4 de Março
de 2010
Escola de Gestão
do Porto
Where goes the notion of physical place in
a digital world?
We live in a world that gets everyday more
and more digital. Computers and networks
turn our notion of physical place a different
Luis Borges Gouveia one.
luis.borges.gouveia@gmail.com
But what about the role of physical place
Twitter: @lbgouveia
for human activity? We defend that
although digital become an important
Associate Professor
University Fernando Pessoa issue, the physical space still is central for
sustainable human activity. Let's present it!

2. • For centuries, we human beings live in a world
where physical locations are common and stable
references
• Our main references of time and space put us many
challenges but were part of us as human beings!

3. • Same time & same space: We!
• Same time & different space: There!
• Different time & different space: Them!
• Different time & same space: Place!

4. • Place is a very important notion for us
– It is were human activity takes place… (or is
located…)
– It is central for live, learning, work and fun… (be
there!)

5. YES, BUT…
• With computers and networks come the
digital and things change
• Time and space are not the same…

6. • Digital T&S: more independent
You can twist time or space even without any relation
between them (try some form of video recording or co-location
devices to turn it possible)

7. • Digital T&S; Elastic
What you can do is a lot more and provides some
control behavior of how time and space work
(for instance, we can get more time using a globalization approach to
business or providing digital multimedia to transform a place)

8. • Digital T&S: But… be aware!
– Time: more time to do, less time to react
– Space: almost impossible to control, easy to reach

9. • Digital T&S: No more just four alternatives!
– Different times & spaces possible
• We can have digital overlays and can be present in
different ways
• Although we still are physical beings (and must pay the
price!)

10. • As a result:
– Place gets larger and the world suddenly becomes
our place
– We no longer have borders at human scale!

11. • Reinvent time & space
– We can be in more spaces at more times
– We can not be where we are or be at another
time

12. • Human limits apply! (example: digital time
obeys a different cycle from human life span)

13. • SO… the world is different
• …and there will NOT be anymore the same
again – shame on physical place…

14. DIGITAL
PARADOX

15. • That…
• Although the
widespread of the
digital has not been
so great
• The importance of
physical place still is
central for human
activity

16. YES
places have now more components and the
digital is part of any place

17. BUT
Well, I love a lot computers but love more life
&people

18. • We, as human beings need to get our own
physical places and those who learn how to
attract other to their physical place will be the
role players

19. SO…
• Digital paradox brings a new approach to
territory centrality
• It turns the territory has a key factor for the
success of a given human activity

20. a million dollars question!
• How can we turn our
territory one that is
central for human
activity?
Interested?
Join research activity by contacting
lmbg@ufp.edu.pt (consider also funding it)