GPS Stupidity

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Avish

gpsAs 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

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)

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 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

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.

***
Motivational Humorist Avish ParasharAre you planning an event and looking for a great speaker to add humor and energy? Then visit Avish’s Motivational Humorist page now!
 

About Avish

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+
This entry was posted in Motivation & Success. Bookmark the permalink.

4,461 Responses to GPS Stupidity

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
  1. Danieldew says:
    September 20, 2025 at 4:47 am

    Own understand in what way terrifying this strikes whenever fluid causes the house plus family’s ease into peril.
    However you continue by no means alone.
    We’re around aiming to preserve yours residence and this affection regarding yours relatives existence, acting deliberately along with harmlessly such that all things one treasure stays whole.
    The crew functions immediately so as to end damage together with avoid fungus, giving somebody peace of thought.
    Plus backed by that nonstop aid, someone always get somebody near one’s place — set in order to assist someone preserve the kin safe and one’s house filled via comfort.
    Find peace in your home – Call: 8338561951

  5. Danieldew says:
    September 20, 2025 at 7:18 am

    Myself comprehend the way intimidating the situation comes across once flood causes your home plus family’s security toward hazard.
    But you stay not alone.
    We are here to protect one’s residence plus that coziness relating to your kin day-to-day, acting deliberately as well as securely so that the whole you treasure keeps intact.
    Such group works promptly aiming to stop destruction as well as stop mildew, offering yourself calm of awareness.
    Furthermore along with this 24/7 aid, somebody continuously possess a partner near yours company — ready to guide someone keep the family guarded plus your residence supplied in ease.
    Find peace in your home – Call: 8338561951

  8. zaimi_pqpt says:
    September 20, 2025 at 7:40 am

    всезаймыонлайн zaimy-25.ru .

  11. Danieldew says:
    September 20, 2025 at 8:53 am

    Me comprehend the method scary the situation feels as soon as flood puts the house along with loved ones’ security toward risk.
    However you continue never by yourself.
    We will be around so as to defend the property plus the kindness regarding one’s relatives day-to-day, working cautiously together with safely so that every single thing somebody adore continues secure.
    Such team acts immediately aiming to cease destruction plus avoid fungus, giving you calm from thought.
    Also along with such 24/7 assistance, one constantly possess a person close to yours presence — willing toward assist one maintain your kin safe along with their house filled through well-being.
    Find peace in your home – Call: 8338561951

  16. Diplomi_rdma says:
    September 20, 2025 at 12:13 pm

    купить диплом в губкине https://rudik-diplom12.ru .

  21. Diplomi_zwkl says:
    September 20, 2025 at 1:09 pm

    купить диплом в нижним тагиле https://www.rudik-diplom2.ru – купить диплом в нижним тагиле .

  26. zaimi_gpMt says:
    September 20, 2025 at 1:30 pm

    список займов онлайн на карту https://www.zaimy-26.ru .

  28. tombolbet88 masuk says:
    September 20, 2025 at 1:58 pm

    Today, I went to the beach front with my children. I found
    a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell
    to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  29. dolarslot says:
    September 20, 2025 at 2:19 pm

    My brother suggested I would possibly like this website.
    He was once totally right. This post actually made my
    day. You can not believe just how a lot time I had spent
    for this information! Thanks!

  32. Diplomi_rgOn says:
    September 20, 2025 at 2:38 pm

    купить диплом в калининграде купить диплом в калининграде .

  33. Diplomi_lcpi says:
    September 20, 2025 at 2:43 pm

    купить диплом в геленджике http://rudik-diplom8.ru/ .

  35. zaimi_pkSi says:
    September 20, 2025 at 2:48 pm

    официальные займы онлайн на карту бесплатно официальные займы онлайн на карту бесплатно .

  36. Diplomi_cosn says:
    September 20, 2025 at 3:11 pm

    купить диплом в шахтах http://rudik-diplom11.ru .

  37. Diplomi_phkt says:
    September 20, 2025 at 3:17 pm

    купить диплом в каспийске https://www.rudik-diplom13.ru .

  38. zaimi_qrSi says:
    September 20, 2025 at 3:49 pm

    микрозаймы онлайн zaimy-22.ru .

  42. Diplomi_puKn says:
    September 20, 2025 at 4:15 pm

    купить свидетельство о рождении ссср купить свидетельство о рождении ссср .

  47. Diplomi_scer says:
    September 20, 2025 at 4:41 pm

    легально купить диплом о высшем образовании легально купить диплом о высшем образовании .

  50. Ipl2025Enunk says:
    September 20, 2025 at 4:47 pm

    thanks, interesting read

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *