Friday's Favs

(Note: every Friday I'll post a favorite rant from the archives)

from September 9, 2009

GPS = Getting Pretty Silly

Where is America going that we need so many directions?

GPS systems/devices are all the rage. Smart-as-whips gizmos that tell us when to turn left or right, how far it is to our destination, and even suggesting possible shortcuts.

It's becoming a status symbol of the 21st century---whether or not you have one of these electronic navigators in your vehicle. I've seen grown men bursting at the seams about their GPS systems.

Where is everyone going, that they don't know how to get there?

I don't know about you, but I pretty much always know where everything is, when it comes to where I venture on a normal basis.

The Target. The mall. The grocery store. The ballpark, on occasion. My mother's house. The movie theater.

McDonald's. The local Thai joints. Suzy's Party Store. CVS. The race track, on occasion.

Another mall. A friend's house. The pharmacy for our dog's meds. The 7-Eleven.

Yeah, I can make it to all these places---and more!!---without the computer riding shotgun.

So where is everyone going?

There's also something called Mapquest or Google Maps or the like, if I'm going somewhere for the first time. A few mouse clicks, a little typing, then hit "PRINT" and I have my GPS on paper.

Those sites are based on something called maps, which used to be found in every car's glove compartment.

Sometimes I don't even need the Internet. Just give me some cross streets and I'm usually good to go.

"North of Big Beaver, west of Coolidge."

Got it; see you there!



I know there are plenty of folks who drive as part of their job. And they drive A LOT. Understood. But seems to me that those are the people who should REALLY know their way around the tri-county area, like a cab driver.

Yet the cars being made today come equipped with dashboards that look like an array of airplane instruments---not the least of which are these GPS things.

I don't even like it when a person barks out directions to me while I'm driving. Makes me nervous. I can't imagine a face-less, computer-generated voice doing it.

I just don't know where everyone is going. It's like America is heading everywhere for the very first time.

Now, if they come out with a GPS system that can tell me whether I should use the drive-thru lane or go inside, come talk to me.

Comments

  1. Greg,

    The rise of the GPS ..... the decline of manly men!! I used to take great pride in being able to give perfect directions to any locale within the tri-county area. Because of my upbringing and travels, I pretty much know the best and fastest way to get anywhere in Metro Detroit. And, as a bonus, I also know all of the alternative routes. Wow, it does not get more manly than that!!

    But, alas, those days are over. Now, when I give an address and before I can give directions, I'm met with, "Oh, I'll just let me GPS get me there"!!

    That's not right, it's not proper, and, well, it's not manly!! My father would be turning over in his grave if he were still alive ..... see, my loss of giving manly directions has led to typing nonsensical sentences! Arrrrggggg!!!!

    GPS be darned and let men be men!!

    Paul

    ReplyDelete

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