Building The Movement Economy: Leveraging Our Location-Based Data
Exploration and discovery have always been a fundamental part of human nature. From prehistoric humans standing curiously at the opening of caves to the cutting edge of modern space exploration, our desire to understand and discover new things has driven us to consistently push the boundaries. Perhaps little surprise that the first satellite launched by the US in 1958 was named Explorer I.
In the past, we relied on artefacts such as hand-drawn maps, ancient compasses and first-hand reports to navigate the world. Now we have modern technologies like GPS, live maps and an abundance of travel-related content to help us get around.
Despite the convenience and accuracy of these modern-day solutions, they come with challenges, many of which might be less dissimilar from our forefathers’ alternatives. Instead of first-hand reports, we have blogs and reviews. Instead of travel journals, we have Instagram posts. Many of these modern alternatives are ‘skeuomorphic’, meaning they are designed to mimic the appearance and function of older technologies to make them more familiar to users.
Just like the myths and legends of ancient history, it’s often difficult to know what stories or ‘reviews’ are genuine.
This questionable authenticity makes it challenging to trust the information we see when exploring new places, especially for the less-known and off-the-beaten paths. A key reason for this is the lack of transparency regarding the sources of this information.
For instance, it isn’t always clear whether reviews or content are created by actual travellers; those who have experienced the destination first-hand, or if they are being paid or sponsored by the business or destination being promoted. It can be challenging to know if the information we see accurately represents a destination or is biassed or cherry-picked to present a particular image.
The subjectivity of people’s experiences and perceptions can also make it hard to know if the information we are reading is accurate. What one person considers a “must-see” destination may not hold the same appeal for someone else. This subjectivity can make it difficult to know if the information we are reading is truly representative of the location or experience in question.
The use of photo editing and filters on social media platforms can further distort the reality of a place, making it difficult for us to know if the images we see accurately represent the destination. It is easy for people to present a highly curated and idealised version of their travels rather than showing a place’s authentic range of experiences and realities.
To address these issues of authenticity and transparency, a “Proof-of-Travel” protocol could be implemented to verify the popularity and reality of destinations and areas. This system would use location-based technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) to collect data on movement patterns for destinations and regions. “Explorers” would be rewarded for visiting and exploring specific locations, and the number of visits would be recorded and verified on a blockchain.
This creates a transparent and verifiable record of which areas and destinations are most attractive to explore, which can be personalised to any given user and not subject to the same biases and errors as traditional sources. We therefore become “validators” by passively generating valuable, unquestionable data in large quantities through our daily activities such as walking and exploring areas. And since the creators of this validated data (i.e. the “Explorers”) are also the consumers of this data at the aggregated level with access to comprehensive location-based insights, all participants in the network have a vested interested in maintaining the quality and accuracy of the data.
Today, most location data is controlled by a few large technology companies, who use it to create and sell products and services, whilst promising users this data is used to provide ‘relevant’ ads and content. Meanwhile, the users who contribute this data receive little to no direct financial benefit, nor limited practical value from the aggregate data. Virtually all of the value (both financial and practical) is accrued to these centralised technology companies, such as using the data to improve their products and services or to create new revenue streams. This concentration of control and value in the hands of a few large technology companies highlights the need for more equitable and transparent approaches to data collection and use.
At Hyper SQ, our mission is to get people out of their homes to explore the world while creating a more equitable system that rewards those who contribute their location data. We’re monetising movement and flipping the antiquated business models today.
Welcome to the early building blocks of the Movement Economy. To learn more about our project, visit our website and follow us on Twitter.
