Lecture Outline:

A: Why geographers are interested in representation?
B: Representation as power - Imaginative geographies
C: Transnational Representations: Cultural imperialism or cultural localisation/indigenisation
d: Representation, new media and ‘mediation’

A: Why are geographers interested in representation?

Geographers think about the ways that these representations of the world are produced or constructed.

1. Long established concern with landscape

2. Maps as representations of the world

3. Representations of travel, tourism and space

We live in a world saturated with representations where we are constantly bombarded with images and messages about other places, people and cultures.

B: Representation as power

Imaginative geography is a term derived from the work of Edward Said → Describes representations of other places, their people, their cultures etc.
Orientalism is an example of imaginative geography

Think of images of Africa and how it has power behind its representation with a continent almost being presented as being one country. As well as being a continent of beautiful landscapes but with people fighting senseless wars, dying of poverty and diseases such as Aids, unable to safe themselves and waiting to be saved by a kind white foreigner. → Chimanda Ngozi Adichie (TED talk 2009) - Misrepresentation of Africa

C: Transnational Representations:

Cultural imperialism or cultural localisation/indigenisation:

• Globalisation of the media - ownership, content

Whilst media has become globally interconnected and programs and messages circulate in the global network, Manuel Castell argues that we are not living in a global village, but in customised cottages globally produced and locally distributed → Manuel Castell’s ‘The information Age 1996 p.337’

d: Presentation, new media and mediation

The landscape of video games: James Ash

CoD vs Fantasy worlds (Legend of Zelda) and making worlds (Minecraft)

• ‘Silos’ of representation

• Algorithmic representation

• ‘Democratisation’ of representation