GPS Stupidity
As a Motivational Humorist, it is my job to see the best in people, make them laugh, and help them achieve all they can. I like this job. I like to see the best in people, and I do believe that all people are capable of achieving great things.
Then I read a story of such utter stupidity that it makes me wonder if we, as an entire human race, are just doomed to spend our days sitting on our couches, eating pork rinds, and watching reruns of Jersey Shore
I came across this story the other day of a woman who is suing Google for giving her bad directions on their Google Maps service. You can read the story here:
Woman Sues Google for Bad Directions
In a nutshell, the woman was following the “Walking Directions” on Google Maps and her directions told her to “walk down a rural highway. She started walking down the highway–which had no sidewalk or pedestrian paths–and was struck by a car.”
According to the article, she is suing Google for “her medical expenses ($100,000), as well as punitive damages.”
What.
The.
Heck?!?!
You should go read that again. I had to read it two or three times to let it sink in…
Google told her to walk down a highway, and she did, and she got hit by a car. And now she’s suing!?
Incredible.
Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. There have been many stories recently of people driving into trees, along train tracks, into rivers, or even nearly off a cliff, all because they were blindly following their GPS. One article claims that 300,000 car crashes in the UK can be blamed on GPS systems.
I…I don’t know what to say…Are that many people that stupid that they will slavishly obey a GPS instruction that tells them to drive into a ditch, or turn the wrong way onto a one way street, or drive on railway tracks? Or to walk down the middle of a highway?? I would like to think that people would have more sense that. Heck, I would like to believe that a mildly trained bicycle riding bear would have more sense than that…
Yes, even this bear would have the common sense to not walk down the middle of a highway
Stories like these truly make you want to throw your hands up in the air and yell, “what’s the point!” Then, on top of that, the walking woman has the gall to sue? Talk about frivolous lawsuits. The sad thing is that she may very well get a settlement, just because it may be cheaper and easier for Google to cut her a check to just go away.
This strikes me as the type of person who should be locked away just to make sure they don’t hurt themselves or anyone else with their utter lack of common sense.
Now you’re smart enough to be reading my blog, so I am going to assume that you are not the type of person who would blindly follow GPS directions into oncoming traffic (of course, you know what they say about people who assume, so maybe I should reserve judgement until we meet…:-) ), but I figured it would still be worth pulling out a few lessons we can all take away from other people’s stupidity.
Take Responsibility
The choice is yours my friend. Don't blame anyone else (or the computer)
Look, I get it. The GPS system that you have come to rely so deeply on told you to turn left onto a one way street. But you were the dumbass who made the turn! Take some responsibility! Sure, if your car was on “auto-drive” (a feature which, if this is the state of GPS systems, I hope does not exist for a long time), and your car drove itself into a tree, you might have a beef. But if you are the one in the driver’s seat, then you, not the machine, piece of paper, or passenger sitting next to you, are responsible for the choices you make and the direction you go.
Life is the same way. Lots of people will give you advice, instruction, and guidance. But ultimately, you are responsible for the choices you make and the direction you take your life in.
Technology is Precise, Not Infallible
Technology is not infallible. This is why all robots will eventually turn against their human masters
Technology is good for two things: super fast processing power and huge data storage. That means that computers can a) know a lot more than you and b) process lots of data very quickly with very few math errors.
However, all that means is that technology will run precise data calculations based on what it assumes to be true! If the data was entered incorrectly (and chances are it was entered by a human), then it’s just going to spit bad results up to you. Or, if things have changed since the data was entered, then the results will be wrong.
Technology is awesome and helpful, but it is the tool, not the master. Don’t give it more power than it deserves. use your own brain and make your own decisions.
Pay Attention
Not paying attention can lead to serious problems
Ah, here’s a point I feel I return to again and again. How many of life’s little (and big) problems would go away if people would just start paying some damn attention?
Is there really any excuse for driving your car into a tree because the GPS told you to? That would imply that either a) you were not paying attention at all to the road and simply doing what the computer told you to or b) you believed so much in the power of your GPS that you assumed you would somehow magically phase through the tree and be ok. I am not sure which one is better…
Paying attention simply means to be aware of the world around. Look where you are going. Notice the impact your words and actions are having on the people around you. If you do this, there is no way you will crash your car due to bad GPS directions. If you do this out of your car, you will also automatically deliver better service, be a better teammate and/or leader, and have stronger relationships. It’s a no-brainer.
I think the GPS accidents would be funnier if they weren’t so sad and so dangerous. Please, please, please, the next time you are in a car following a GPS, pay attention, remember that technology can make mistakes, and take responsibility for your actions. Do this on the road and you will be a safer driver. Do this in life, and you will make your life easier and more successful.
***
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About
By Avish Parashar. As the world's only Motivational Improviser, Avish uses techniques from the world of improv comedy to engage, entertain, and educate audiences on ideas around change, creativity, and motivation. Connect with Avish on Google+
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Hi Avish,
I always love your blog because you say what I am thinking! I was appalled when I heard about the lawsuit against Google because of the walking directions. I am sorry the woman was hurt and hope she recovers fully yet, at the same time this is entirely her fault. She chose to use Google’s directions and she chose to walk on the street. No one forced her to and anyone that has ever used a GPS or Google directions or Yahoo or Rand McNally knows that the directions are not always accurate. How on earth did we get anywhere before technology took over? We used a map, a phone call and some common sense. Just because something or someone gives you a direction doesn’t mean you have to follow it. You make the choice. She made hers and now she has to live with the consequences of her choices.
This is why there are hundreds of different warning labels and disclosures on everything we come in contact these days. To protect the company from pure stupidity and the lack of personal responsibility that is sweeping our nation.
Thanks for telling it like it is!
Kelly
Thanks Kelly! I’m glad you enjoy the blog!
Youare right – it seems like personal choice counts for so little these days. The saddest thing is that major corporations will settle these cases just because in the long run it is cheaper for them than going to court. What a shame – there is no disincentive to stop stupid people form filing these types of cases…
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