Things in the space
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Understanding Things in Space: A Multidimensional Perspective
Physical Space and the PhiNet of Things
Physical space, the fundamental environment where all material objects exist, has been a subject of extensive study. The concept of the PhiNet of Things (PoT) offers a unified description of physical space and its evolution influenced by social, thinking, and cyberspaces (STCs)1. Unlike the Internet of Things (IoT), which is viewed from a cyber perspective, PoT is examined from a natural viewpoint, emphasizing the intrinsic connections and relationships between things in physical space. This approach highlights the fundamental role of physical space in the continuous development and interaction with other spaces over time1.
Managing Things in Ambient Space
In modern contexts, managing things within an ambient space involves understanding their inherent information and capabilities. The Ambient Space Manager (ASM) system is designed to explore and control things within a context-aware environment. Key context variables include Capability, Location, Operations, and Quality of Service (QoS), which help in offering contextual services based on the atomic capabilities of things2. This structured approach addresses issues of maintainability, shareability, and reusability in applications that utilize information from inanimate objects2.
Relational Theory of Physical Space
A relational theory of space posits that space is essentially a network of relations among things. This theory defines the separation between two things as the set of things interposed between them, creating a topology for the "thing space"3. This conceptual framework allows for a philosophical understanding of space, emphasizing the relational and objectivistic nature of physical space without delving into metrical considerations3. The theory also incorporates the notions of events and event composition, which are crucial for defining the time order of events and the actions of things upon one another3.
Phenomenology of Space and Things
Edmund Husserl's lectures on the phenomenology of space and things explore the conditions under which things are presented in visual and tactile perception. These lectures delve into the role of kinaesthetic experience in unifying the series of images of a thing and the temporal background of its presentation4. Husserl's work provides early analyses of space and the "individually identical" thing, contributing to the understanding of how things are perceived and experienced in space4.
Objects and Events in Space
The relationship between objects and events in space is complex, with objects occupying unique locations and events potentially spanning both space and time. This distinction is crucial for understanding how material things and their properties, such as shape, interact with space5. The concept of full occupancy of space and time further refines this understanding, highlighting how objects extend through three dimensions of space and endure over time5.
Babies' Space-Making Practices
An ethnographic study on babies' everyday space-making practices reveals how engagements with material things shape the spatial environment in homes. Key practices include spreading things out, the height at which activities occur, and the multiplicity of things, all of which contribute to the dynamic creation of space6. These practices underscore the importance of the flows of things in the spatial organization of domestic environments6.
Cognitive Engagement with Things
Psychological science has traditionally overlooked the significant role of things in human cognition. However, material-engagement theory posits that things occupy a middle space between mind and matter, influencing human cognitive processes. We think "with" and "through" things, not merely "about" them, highlighting their transformative potential in human mental life7. This perspective calls for a deeper understanding of the diachronic influence of things on cognition7.
Substantivalism vs. Relationalism in Classical Physics
The debate between substantivalism and relationalism about space in classical physics centers on whether space exists independently of material bodies. Substantivalism argues for the existence of space as an entity, while relationalism contends that space is merely a set of spatial relationships among material bodies8. This discussion is crucial for understanding the nature of space and its role in physical theories8.
The Internet of Space Things
The Internet of Space Things (IoST) extends the concept of IoT to a global scale, utilizing satellite-based data networks to provide connectivity in remote and underserved regions. This cyber-physical system leverages technologies like Software-defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization to address challenges in network design, routing, and resource allocation9. IoST represents a significant advancement in achieving ubiquitous global connectivity9.
Spatial Cognition in the Brain
Understanding how the brain deciphers spatial information is a fundamental challenge in neuroscience. Jennifer M. Groh's book "Making Space: How the Brain Knows Where Things Are" explores this topic, explaining how the brain determines the location and identity of objects in space. By avoiding technical jargon and using analogies, Groh makes this complex subject accessible to a broad audience10.
Conclusion
The study of things in space encompasses various dimensions, from physical and relational theories to cognitive and phenomenological perspectives. Understanding how things interact within physical space, how they are managed in ambient environments, and their role in human cognition provides a comprehensive view of the multifaceted nature of space and things. This holistic approach is essential for advancing our knowledge of the spatial relationships that define our world.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
PhiNet of Things: Things Connected by Physical Space From the Natural View
The PhiNet of Things (PoT) is a unified description of physical space and its evolving connections with social, thinking, and cyberspace, promoting continuous development and usability in the future.
A relational theory of physical space
This paper proposes a relational theory of space, based on the assumption that the physical world is composed by changing things, and a three-dimensional manifold.
Thing and Space: Lectures of 1907
Husserl's 1907 lectures on perception, phantasy, time, and the thing explore the conditions of presentation in visual, tactile, and kinaesthetic experiences, and the temporal background of presentation.
The flows of things – exploring babies’ everyday space-making
Babies' everyday space-making practices involve spreading out, height, and the multiplicity of things, highlighting the importance of moving multiple objects in their homes.
Observational StudyThinking as “Thinging”: Psychology With Things
Things matter to human psychology, as they play a crucial role in human cognitive life and evolution, occupying the middle space between mind and matter.
Highly CitedSubstantivalism vs Relationalism About Space in Classical Physics
Space? This paper explores the question in classical physics, arguing that anti-substantivalist arguments, such as Leibniz's classic arguments and contemporary'symmetry' reincarnations, are stronger than often acknowledged.
The Internet of Space Things/CubeSats
The Internet of Space Things (CubeSats) offers a global, scalable, flexible, and resilient solution for various use cases, addressing the need for true global connectivity and addressing challenges in network design, routing, and resource allocation.
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