nonlocation

Nonlocation is a term used across disciplines to denote the absence of a fixed geographic location, or the state of not being tied to a particular place. It is not a formal technical term with a single universally accepted definition; rather, it is used in different contexts to emphasize spatial fluidity or detachment from place.

In digital and information contexts, objects, services, and identities can be described as nonlocated when their operation is distributed over networks, cloud infrastructure, or virtual environments, so that no single physical site is essential to their function. In such uses, location becomes a contextual attribute rather than a central requirement.

In geography and urban studies, nonlocation can be used conceptually to describe spaces that function as transit or temporary spaces rather than fixed locales, or to discuss mobility and diaspora. It relates to, but is distinct from, the idea of non-places proposed by Marc Augé, which emphasizes spaces lacking durable social relations and meaning.

In philosophy of space and social theory, nonlocation invites questions about how place and identity are constituted when movement, virtualization, or decentralization erode attachment to a single site. The term thus functions as a lens for examining the relationship between location, social meaning, and human action.

Because definitions vary, readers should look to the specific context to understand nonlocation, and be cautious of conflating it with related terms such as nonlocal, mobility, or non-territoriality. See also nonplace, nonlocality, mobility, and spatial theory.