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The Word Shrinks, the World Expands

Information, Energy and Relocalization

	Abstract

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This paper considers the scientific and technological backgrounds of two quite different fields: petrochemical geophysics and information technology, and their respective and opposite roles in "shrinking" or "expanding" the perceived and actual size, scale, and grain of the developed landscape. The post-"oil peak" future will necessitate a contraction, or relocalization in the source-to-end use distances of physical goods and resources as transportation fuels become scarce and extremely expensive: for the first time in history, the world perceptually expands, as travel and freight shipping become more difficult and time-consuming. On the other hand, the continued increase in global electronic communication and consolidation of corporate ownership will continue to virtually "shrink" the world and globalize many aspects of culture. Thus, we enter a new perceptual relationship between time, scale, and sense of place unlike that ever previously experienced. As a result, we may anticipate future land patterns that respond to the relocalizing effects of scarce, expensive, and renewable transportation and shipping fuels on the one hand, and the continued globalization of culture and corporate ownership on the other.

KEYWORDS Information, energy, landscape, relocalization, oil peak, entropy, transportation, sustainable development

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This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Thayer, R. L. Search for Related Content