Question

Smartphones, each one with a tiny GPS pinging, have revolutionized cartography. Matthew Zook, a geographer at the University of Kentucky, has partered with data scientists there to create what they call the DOLLY Project (Digital OnLine Life and You)-- it's searchable repository of every geotagged tweet since December 2011, meaning Zook and his team have compiled billions of interrelated sentiments, each with a latitude and longitude attached.

Why are geographers intrested in the information in Dolly?
A. It provides information about spatial distribution of people's reaction to events
B. It provides an opportunity for geographers to work with data scientists
C. Geographers focus on the sentiments of people more than do other scientists
D. Geographers are more likely to use new technology than are other scientists
E. The data is searchable, and most geographic information is hard to organize

Answer 1

Geographers are interested in the spatial distribution of sentiments through geotagged tweets because it aids in analyzing regional differences in perceptions, cultural trends, and societal dynamics, enhancing the study of cultural geography and social patterns.

Step-by-step explanation:

Geographers are interested in the information from the DOLLY Project because it provides valuable insights into the spatial distribution of people's reactions to various events. The ability to analyze billions of geotagged tweets enables geographers to observe and map out patterns related to human activity and sentiments at specific locations over time. This wealth of data can help geographers and other researchers understand how events are perceived differently across different regions, aiding in studies of cultural geography, social dynamics, and regional differences in viewpoints and interests.

Particularly, when considering themes such as sports, politics, or music, the spatial and temporal data from social media can provide a unique lens for studying societal trends. For example, the series on college football crafted by geographers utilizing social media data could reveal how regional identities and allegiances are spatially distributed, and how these patterns correlate with various socio-economic or cultural factors.

Moreover, the partnership with data scientists underscores the interdisciplinary nature of modern geography, where integration of GIS technologies and big data analytics is critical. It's not merely about cartography but also about the analysis of complex, high-tech research on pressing issues using big data.