For most of us, that little black box affixed to our dashboard has become indispensable.
And it knows it.
Image via Wikipedia
The GPS we all share a love/hate relationship with is described as a “space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all-weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.”
“Space-based”? I knew it. Aliens have finally found another way – besides that labor-intensive anal probing – to mess with us unsuspecting Earthlings. How else do you explain all of the GPS horror stories innocent drivers find themselves sucked into every day?
Drivers have followed their GPS instructions into…
- The edge of a cliff.
- A low bridge. (Not good if you’re driving a bus!)
- Into a river.
- A cherry tree. (Seriously.)
My wife recently found herself thrown twenty minutes behind schedule because of her blind trust in that technological wonder. Many seniors believe there is an actual woman sitting in an office somewhere, sipping coffee while indulging her naughty side by intentionally screwing with drivers all over North America!
Come to think of it, that would be a cool and highly rewarding job to have, wouldn’t it?
As for the rest of us, we could take a page from our ancestors’ book and attempt to utilize that archaic method of navigation known as a map. Then again,we’re not animals, are we?
GPS System is crumbling as I write so won’t be long before we all start using those “archaic” maps…ha haven’t heard many people driving off cliffs but I guess that’s the good ol’ US of A for you ha ha. Good post!!!
Thanks! It was neat to write about the perils of technology – on a computer!
It always tries to send me the wrong direction down one-way streets.
It’s out to get you, I’m telling you!
I enjoy when the Garmin tells my boyfriend to “turn left” when there is no fricking road on the left hand side of the street for another half mile….and then when you miss this alleged “left turn”, it says (in a really annoying voice) “Recalculating!” and then gives you instructions to turn around and make the (now) right hand turn that you missed before….which does not exist…
The GPS rocks hard, right?
Where have all the maps gone? My kids call me from different states and ask me to look on Google Maps to figure out where they are because the GPS “isn’t working.” They ran a trail marathon recently and I mentioned they might want to study a trail map before they take off into the wilderness . . . . I don’t think the 26.2 miles one runs is up to the discretion of your phone. Oh well, I guess it’s sort of like calculators (do we really need to know how to add?).
Thanks for a fun post – plan to read more over the next few days.
Thanks for reading! I plan to visit your WordPress home as well.
I’m back – it was an awesome read!