We introduce the functor * which assigns to every metric space X its symmetric join *X. As a set, *X is a union of intervals connecting ordered pairs of points in X. Topologically, *X is a natural quotient of the usual join of X with itself. We define an Isom(X)-invariant metric d* on *X. Classical concepts known for H^n and negatively curved manifolds are defined in a precise way for any hyperbolic complex X, for example for a Cayley graph of a Gromov hyperbolic group. We define a double difference, a cross-ratio and horofunctions in the compactification X-bar= X union bdry X. They are continuous, Isom(X)-invariant, and satisfy sharp identities. We characterize the translation length of a hyperbolic isometry g in Isom(X). For any hyperbolic complex X, the symmetric join *X-bar of X-bar and the (generalized) metric d* on it are defined. The geodesic flow space F(X) arises as a part of *X-bar. (F(X),d*) is an analogue of (the total space of) the unit tangent bundle on a simply connected negatively curved manifold. This flow space is defined for any hyperbolic complex X and has sharp properties. We also give a construction of the asymmetric join X*Y of two metric spaces. These concepts are canonical, i.e. functorial in X, and involve no `quasi'-language. Applications and relation to the Borel conjecture and others are discussed.

Published by Geometry and Topology at http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/gt/GTVol9/paper13.abs.html