Geographic Mapping of Emotions

datafr0g writes "New Scientist has an overview of a project that maps emotional responses to geographic locations. Emotions are read from an individual using a Galvanic Skin Response Sensor. This data is combined with that from a GPS Receiver and the results can be viewed with mapping software such as Google Earth to show where the emotional highs and lows of the day traveling were spent. Points of significance on the map could also be tagged with more info by the user, which could make the information even more useful for town planners, architects, etc. From the project site: 'Bio Mapping is a research project which explores new ways that we as individuals can make use of the information we can gather about our own bodies. Instead of security technologies that are designed to control our behaviour, this project envisages new tools that allows people to selectively share and interpret their own bio data.'" I like the concept of architecture designed with emotion in mind, but galvanic skin response might not be the most accurate way to read "emotion" -- it might show that joggers are just as happy as sunbathers.

Pointless

[Billosaur]

Who thinks I need a map to tell me where I'm happy and sad and so forth day-to-day? Let's cut to the chase: Happy - in front of the TV watching baseball or Law & Order; Unhappy - work; Angry - commuting.

Just because we have certain technologies does not mean they should be combined to created mindless information for mass consupmtion. Are we going to end up with the Google Happy Zone, with a Google Earth map with little emoticons all over it? Are the going to link this to your IM so people on the other end of your messages know your mood? All this is a high-tech version of the 70's mood ring.

Joggers? Sunbathers?

[IorDMUX]

it might show that joggers are just as happy as sunbathers.

Though I can't say I put much faith in the readings of the E-Meter-wannabe, I don't understand the logic behind the above statement. It seems to suggest that joggers are supposed to be less happy... ... having done both of the above, I'd say that the former is much more enjoyable than the latter.

Exercise induced endorphins, anyone?

Re:Pointless

[mrxak]

It could be good for the tourist industry too. "People are 67% happier at X Resort than Y Resort!"

Re:Pointless

[kassemi]

Ultimately, this is more a research tool than a useful application of technology.

I can see quite a few useful applications for this. Perhaps not for police dispatch, but I'm sure the two companies that you just mentioned (Six Flags, Disney World) would love to figure out where their entertainment was lagging behind... Tour guides could figure out what spots they should put on their tours, etc... Heck, a few UI programmers I know wouldn't mind determining what parts of certain applications were a little more stressful to use than others...

Although I can see wives using it to see if their husbands are having affairs...

There you go! Maury, ummm... well, and lot of other morning 'talk-shows' would love it, too! Eh, come to think of it, maybe it will prove more useless than useful...

Re:Jogging vs. Sunbathing?

[fireboy1919]

Having done both, I'd have to say that I'd rather watch sunbathing joggers than do either...

Running is work. And sunburns aren't terribly fun. Watching pretty girls, though...

My guess is that this is what they had in mind when they were talking about sunbathing. Its not the sunbathing that's fun. Its the people around you who are also sunbathing that make it fun.

How do they filter out all the noise?

[Chabil Ha']

I don't want to sound like I'm trolling, but what relevence does this acutally have? For instance, the sum of everyone's emotions on a particlar spot I would imagine would equal zero. This is because what makes one person happy, may make another sad, etc. How does any of it make sense through all the emotional noise? For example, the sight of a tall sky scraper may seem like an awe inspiring feat of engineering to one, whilst it is a tearful reminder of the potential destructive force of a rag tag band of terrorists to another. How does all the subjectivity produce any meaningful results?