The Boundless Self
Communication in Physical and Virtual Spaces

Cloth $29.95s    |    0-8156-3056-5    |   2005

Explores new terrain in human geography and new-sprung concepts of corporeal boundaries and place.

Description
Using the body as an axis for geographical theory, this book argues that communication empowers self to constantly transcend its physical limits. It urges complete review of personal borders in space and time based on symbols, signs and signals that redefine ties to the tangible world, i.e., "Dear John" letters, layout of furniture in rooms, or chronic illness.

Paul C. Adams shows how vehicular transit has altered traditional modalities like walking or biking while navigation of space and virtual space has led to "boundary blurring." He covers transforming moments in communication from the rise of writing to invention of the printing press, telephone, and electronic media. To better understand human geography, he also plumbs the relation of space and time to notions of romance, identity, and meaning. Citing geographers throughout the ages and the effects of mercantile, industrial, and current global economies, The Boundless Self is sure to provoke thought and theory among geographers, communicators, and scholars alike.

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Author
Paul C. Adams is assistant professor of geography at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the coeditor of Textures of Place and the author of numerous articles on geography and related subjects.

6 x 9, 208 pages, 2 photographs, 5 figures, bibliography, index