GPS is mind-boggling to me. In case you have been living in a hole for the past 10 years, GPS stands for “Global Positional Satelllite.” It was once the stuff of science fiction. And even when it started to twinkle on the sidelines about 20 years ago, only the most sophisticated vehicles sported GPS. I remember a relative of mine who had purchased one of the first cars equipped with GPS. It was so primitive compared to today’s technology! But back then, it was crem de la crem of car technology.
Image from Wikipedia.
I rented a car a few months ago, and the thing came equipped with GPS sat nav. It’s becoming more standard. That’s what amazes me, the fact that it is becoming so standardized. I have mixed feelings. Sure, a car loaded with Garmin sat nav on the dash is very, very convenient (especially for those of us who have a propensity to get lost *cough cough*), but the abuses are present, too. I am uncomfortable with the great big eye in the sky watching everywhere I go. I’m not saying that I have anything to be concerned about (what a big thrill it must be to watch me go to Walmart and back every week, big whoop), but it’s the principle of the thing. Still, I have a little GPS sat nav software program in my iPod, and it definitely came in handy when I was in Manhattan.
What do you think? I love technology, I think it’s cool! But, as with everything, it’s prone to be abused. Do you think the benefits outweigh the cons?
Learn more about sat navs and GPS gadgets at http://www.satnav-expert.co.uk.
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I don’t use GPS and don’t intend to. I’m not worried about an “Eye in the Sky.” The constellation of GPS satellites only transmits a stream of precisely timed data. I edited a book on the underlying technology. The Eyes in the Sky don’t need to have us turn on a GPS receiver.
I have an iPod, which has GPS. It was handy in NYC, but the government & Big Business have no right to snoop on any of us.