Registration and representation
Spaces where different events take place are technically represented by registration devices. These devices scale the changes in the specific spaces as a function of time. Registration directly shows cycles of changes and refers to the representation of frequency as well.
This has already been discussed in the chapter about signals, but it is in this context where the relativity of the concepts becomes clear. This relativity is not noticeable in everyday practice but becomes important if we encounter a different relation or our everyday task is put into a new context.
Such relations were encountered by transport—in particular aviation—designers who had to deal with complex flow conditions, and those who tried to apply system theory and its calculation methods to new fields such as to the movements in economy or society. The first such paradigm crisis was about the shape of the Earth, and its practical aspect became evident as cartography evolved and long-distance journeys became available.
The interpretation of the registered data became the subject of important professions. Their development runs parallel to the evolution of conceptual thinking. Consider, for example, the interpretation of registered ECG and EEG data.