NPR aired a story this morning about how this holiday season has really ushered GPS technology into the mainstream. 'Millions of people will never get lost again ... ' was one of the first lines of the story. 'Horrible!' I thought. Getting lost can be aggravating, for sure, but think of all the great things it opens up to you. Running into unexpected places, interacting with strange, interesting people when you stop for directions, finding otherwise hidden treasures that necessitate a little non-sheduled recon. I want to continue getting lost once in a while, enjoying the pleasant bi-products of not knowing exactly where I am. And I want other people to too. 'A compass and a map should be plenty for the regular old Joe,' I said to myself.
However ... the reporter then started talking about how you can jog or hike or whatever with the little GPS do-dad and then go home, hook it up with google maps, and see where you ran, what landmarks you were close to that you’d like to venture to next time, etc. And about how there’s a company making tour-guide-like informational commentary for certain areas so that when you drive through these areas, it’ll automatically start up a little educational spiel about it. Drive on a stretch of highway near a civil war battleground, the device will come on and tell you that you're close to this site and describe the historical significance. I'm sure it gives directions on how to get off the highway and visit, too. Cool. Very cool.
Now, my cell phone may be from 2002 and I may watch fuzzy tv picked up by bunny ears, but I wasn't oblivious that GPS technologies go beyond spitting out directions to drivers. However ... it's always sounded annoyingly yuppy-ish to me till today. Like a really, really manicured lawn that kids aren't allowed to play on. Or store-bought, pre-rolled, pre-cut sugar cookies. Something cool, but that takes some of the fun out of life. I didn't really let myself see how it actually opens up opportunities for adventure and exploring. So, my apologies, GPS. You aren't so bad after all.
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3 comments:
When I get a GPS...will you go on adventures with me?
unfortunately, while i've said multiple times how cool that sounds, i meant 'cool for you.' :) i'm not sure it's my kind of thing. (i assume you're talking about geo-caching?) i picture myself getting frustrated trying to find something, finally finding it, and it turning out to be a dirty shoestring or john mayer CD or something.
leave it to you. I say "don't knock it until you've tried it." Besides, is it a waste if you find a John Mayer CD after going on a nice walk? No.
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