avatarFrancesco Carrubba

Summary

The article discusses the author's over-reliance on navigation systems, illustrating the point with a personal anecdote about mistakenly setting the course to their home instead of the office.

Abstract

The author reflects on society's dependency on virtual maps and navigation systems, recounting a personal experience where they accidentally input their home address into their car's navigator after a work commitment. Despite the car's interior being extremely hot, the author attributes the mistake to a simple error rather than the heat. The article humorously ponders whether this error was a Freudian slip revealing an unconscious desire. The author only realizes the mistake after some time, prompting a U-turn to correct the route. The piece also invites readers to consider their own navigation habits and preferences, asking if they rely on Google Maps or other navigation applications.

Opinions

  • The author suggests that people have become heavily dependent on navigation systems, often using them without engaging their own judgment.
  • There is an implication that over-reliance on technology can lead to humorous or unexpected situations, as demonstrated by the author's anecdote.
  • The author playfully questions whether their mistake was an unconscious choice rather than a simple error, invoking Sigmund Freud's theories.

Addicted to the Navigator

Once upon a time, there were road maps …

Photo by Alexander Nrjwolf on Unsplash

Once upon a time, there was a road map. Today, we are almost addicted to virtual maps. We use the navigator everywhere, especially in the car, but sometimes also on foot. We walk around with our eyes fixed on the screen.

We often rely on the navigator completely.

We turn off the brain and follow the directions.

It happened to me today. I had to go back to the office after a work commitment. But I was wrong to set the course.

Photo by Tamas Tuzes-Katai on Unsplash

We must say that my car was in the sun for some time. So, when I got back on board, it was 40 degrees in the cockpit. But the heat cannot be an excuse.

I have activated the navigator. Unfortunately, I pressed the wrong button, without wanting to. Instead of typing in my work address, I opted for my home address…

Was it a lapsus or the expression of an unconscious desire? Who knows what Sigmund Freud would say.

Photo by Mark Williams on Unsplash

I only realized I was on the wrong path after a long time. But, as they say, better late than never. I did a U-turn.

Do you ever use the navigator?

Are you a fan of Google Maps?

Or do you prefer other apps?

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