Hacking Google Maps

Explore the impact of digital mapping on urban landscapes and society in this thought-provoking conference talk. Delve into the evolution of maps from their historical origins to modern urban apps, with a focus on Google Maps' influence. Examine critical perspectives on contemporary mapping practices and their role in shaping smart cities. Investigate the concept of "spatial software" and its effect on urban transformation, as well as the emergence of "platform urbanism." Learn about artist Simon Weckert's viral "Google Maps Hacks" performance and its implications for digital infrastructure. Analyze the roles of urban actors as producers, consumers, prosumers, and hackers in the context of surveillance capitalism. Discover the potential of "civic hackers" in navigating and subverting smart city technologies. Through artistic and scientific perspectives, gain insights into the complex relationship between digital mapping, urban development, and societal change.