2025-05 Topic Map Exploration

Experiment with using references to represent a Relation Proxy.

Our Topic Map Exploration turned into a project to create a wiki page that could represent a Topic Map RelationProxy. A RelationProxy contains a node identity and links to: relation type, subject, subject's role type, link to object, object's role type.

Jack Park's challenge (source ): > I want to say that Joe's shoesize was a 6 when he was 7 years old. How do I do that? > > I want to be able to make statements about people, places, and things, the statements for which I want to be accurate, timely, and discussable. It's not enough to say "Oh, Joe wore size 6 shoes" and leave the user wondering when ... he wore that size shoe or [whether he is a little person]...

A diagram of the relationship between Joe and his Name

A diagram of the relationship between Joe and his Name

I sketch what this might look like (first with paragraphs and then combined into a markdown)

Relation Type—A Person's Name Subject—Joe himself Subject Role Type—Named Person Role Object—The Name "Joe" Object Role Type—Name of Person Role

I'll create a page for the relationship. Joe's Name

I'll create a meta page for each of the properties.