Final answer:
The term 'coalesce' refers to different elements coming together to form a unified whole, which can be observed across various contexts such as physical, social, or geographic environments. Examples include social media's role in political campaigns and the clustering of businesses or social groups in specific locations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term coalesce refers to the process by which various elements come together and form one mass or whole. This can occur in the physical realm, such as with particles, or in a more abstract sense, such as people or ideas coming together around a common purpose. It is not limited to any specific field and can be observed in different contexts such as social, technological, and geographic environments.
As an example, during President Obama's 2008 campaign, coalescence occurred as individuals across geographic boundaries utilized social media to join forces, organize, and mobilize support without the constraint of physical location. This is distinct from the traditional grassroots community organizing that relies on personal, face-to-face interactions within specific neighborhoods or regions.
Another instance is clustering, which is a form of co-location where items or groups tend to gather in specific areas. This includes businesses like payday lenders and auto dealerships, or social patterns where certain demographics, such as Evangelical Christians and Trump Voters, or nightclubs and college students, are typically found in close proximity, forming a sort of agglomeration due to shared characteristics or interests.