An observation sub-system is described wherein in three-dimensional (3D) views of objects and their interactions over time are provided. Each different view is based on a fundamental visualization paradigm. Heavily interacting objects can be depicted as being located "close together". Rules are created so as to define the position of objects not only from the perspective of whether interaction occurred, but also the amount of interaction, and the rate of interaction. Despite using proximity to show whether an object is interacting with another, further visual mechanisms are used for the user to be able to analyze the type of data interaction, and the current state of affairs of interaction within a specified time slice. There are two types of forces acting on objects in the data view universe, gravitational (as a result of the mass of an object) and electrostatic (as a result of the charge on an object).