摘要
The original Digital Earth concept,formulated by Al Gore(1998),is essentially a virtual reality system.In this(imagined)system,users are able to freely explore all possible recorded knowledge or information about the Earth though an interactive interface.While we imagine such an interface primarily as visual for now,it can be expected that in the future other senses will be engaged,allowing for even more realistic virtual experiences.Even though‘realism’in the experience is desirable(i.e.,it feels real),immersive experiences provided by visualization environments can go beyond reality,as they can be enhanced with queryable information.Of course one can also create fictitious experiences and simulations in such environments;including information about possible pasts(e.g.,ancient Rome)and futures(e.g.,a planned neighborhood);or spaces that we cannot(easily)directly experience(e.g.,the Moon,Mars,other far-away spaces,under the oceans,core of the earth,etc.).
