Relying on Technology

Post Date

Thu, 01/31/2013 - 05:01

Categories

Lifestyle

I don't remember many telephone numbers anymore. I don't think it is a result of not being able to remember them (although others may question that) but I simply don't have to remember the numbers. For the numbers I call most frequently, I have to remember the speed dials -- what character I assigned to which person. Otherwise, the number is right in my “Contacts”. I tell myself that these conveniences free my brain matter for consideration of more worthwhile matters. I hope that’s true.
We rely on many technologies to save time and free us for other endeavors. But when do we depend too much? I think I now know. I read a story a few weeks ago about a woman who drove 900 miles out of her way by blindly following her GPS. The trip was in Belgium. Originally a 90 mile trip, it was on the second day of driving (sleeping on the side of the road and two gas fill-ups) that she realized something was wrong when the language on the road signs kept changing. (The story said that it was not clear whether the GPS was faulty or the destination incorrectly entered.)
Rely on technology but not too much.

Comments

Mitch Tobol

NULL

I too find myself not remembering the phone numbers of people I call by using Siri.

I think that woman needs a copilot not a GPS.

Fred Klein

NULL

I do not use a GPS. I remember or figure out where to go.

Rona Gura

NULL

All my kids have a GPS in their cars. I find that they're unable to go even a small distance without it.

Vincent Serro

NULL

I like google maps and/or mapquest. I still like to think for myself instead of blindly following a voice to tell me to turn here or there. As far as technology dulling the senses, I fear for the younger generation. With my two kids who are still only 11 and 6 I really have to keep limiting video games, limiting computer time, texting time etc. When those things are taken away they act like drug addicts looking for a crack pipe. It's really scary. I think any young person with great interpersonal communication skills will be a huge asset in about 15-20 years as that important skill set will be in short supply.

David Abeshouse

NULL

I, like Vincent, prefer Google maps, and like Fred, prefer to rely more on myself. The stories of GPS failures are too numerous to ignore, and the few times I've used GPS, it's ranged from mildly to wildly inaccurate. Technology itself isn't bad; our blind reliance on it is what's harmful. I simply prefer the technology of Google maps (which is in my experience far more accurate) to GPS systems (which sometimes act like they're having a recurrent drug "trip" leftover from the '60s or '70s...).

Susan Zinder

NULL

A co-pilot most definitely!!! I get going out of my way - - I even get going ..... I'll give her 90 miles out of the way - - but 800 miles????? Crazy

Susan Zinder

NULL

I like good old fashioned paper maps. Even when I use a gps - I really like to look at a map and get a sense of where I'm going - otherwise it's a mess

Flo Feinberg

NULL

Using a gps map in a car is almost as bad as texting if you try reading the little street names and numbers!
... and the lovely gps voice does not always get it right, as described in this blog.

NULL

I need to find a way to erase the telephone numbers in my memory bank of people who have been dead for thirty or forty years. What's worse, I remember those numbers with the exchange names (yes, I am dating myself). My grandmother, who died in 1966 was SUsquehana 7- 6418 (Upper West Side exchange) and my great-aunt, who died in 1989 was GRamercy 7-6509. My parents' phone number from 1961 to 2008 was
MEdford 1-1267. How do I download this useless information?

Corey Bearak