See You Later, Navigator!

It might be becoming a part of our lives slowly and steadily, but that does not stop us from taking a light-hearted poke at GPS and its foibles

“Hi! All set for the trip?”

“You bet. I am looking forward to loads of fun – just the two of us, the road and the trusty, if rusty, automobile. What is that rolled up thing you are carrying?”

“The road map. We will get lost without it.”

“Are you from the age of Columbus? We live in the era of hi-tech, the time of GPS. All we need is this handy little gizmo – the Drive, Walk and Talk Navigator, the device that shows you the way.”

“Don’t you think we should take the maps along, just as a back-up?”

“ And perhaps we could even add a magnetic compass for good measure. Grow up!”

“Oh all right then! Shall we start?”

“Not just now. Let the device get a fix on the satellites first. It might take a few minutes.”

“Can’t we just get moving? Your device can lock on to its blessed satellites as we go along.”

“Patience. There, it’s got a lock now. Let me just enter our destination, and there you are – the best route to the place. On a map. Complete with voice and text controls. Cool, eh? Let’s hit the road!”

“Excellent! I was just wondering if we should follow the regular path or be a bit adventurous. I could turn here…”

“Stop!”

“Why? Did I hit something?”

“No, no. I just need to tell the device to recalculate the path depending on this turn.”

“Come on, we will just ask someone if we get lost.”

“Just wait for a bit while it recalculates the route. What is the tearing hurry, anyway? Hang on, I will just step outside the car to get a fix. There! A new route, all worked out. Isn’t technology wonderful? Let’s take that turn now.”

“About time too. ”

“Hang on! I think you were supposed to turn left a few yards ago.”

“I could not. The area had been dug up by the municipal department for the construction of a gutter draining facility. I am sure there will be another turning ahead…”

“No, stop. Just stop for a while and I will get this device to recalculate the route again.”

“Oh very well. Should we take the turn ahead?”

“Impossible!”

“Why? Is it closed for traffic?”

“No, not that. According to the device, there is no turning ahead for miles.”

“Well, there is one right in front of you. Use your eyes!”

“Oh, yes, so there is. This map must be outdated.”

“Yes, yes. Can we just take the turn?”

“Stop!”

“Oh what now, for the love of the good earth!?”

“I just need to call up the manufacturers of this device and inform them about this new route. Our feedback could help travelers in the future.”

“Oh all right. I thought we had got out for a nice road trip, not a road survey!”

“Do be patient. There. That’s done. I just finished speaking to them.”

“At long last. Can we be on our way now?”

“Er… no.”

“What! Why?”

“I need to go back to the house and download the new maps to the device from the PC.”

“You have got to be joking! Here, we are finally on our way, and you want to go back.”

“Well, if we do not, we won’t we know where we are going.”

“We just need to ask someone…”

“No, no. Why depend on others when technology makes us independent? Turn around!”

“All right, but this is insanity.”

“Here we are. Now, why don’t you just sit in the living room and have some tea while I go start the PC, download the new maps on to the device, restart it to ensure that the maps are properly installed, mail a confirmation to the manufacturers and come back.”

“I would rather wait in the car. Just pass me the map I had shown you when we were starting out.”

“Yes, of course. Here, you are. I will be back in a few minutes. You sure you would not rather come in?”

“Oh definitely. You carry on.”

“There! It’s all done. Sorry it took a bit longer than I expected but…. Hey, where are you? Gosh! Don’t tell me he has driven off on his own?! He will never make it without technology!