No GPS for Lindbergh
After missing his mark and ending up across the Atlantic Ocean from France, Charles Lindbergh took to the airwaves under live radio coverage for an emotional plea, and ultimately a journey that would change aviation history. Was it overconfidence on his part? Or was he simply blindsided by an act of fate? Regardless of which side you take, one fact remains true: without GPS systems in use today, Lindbergh’s journey would have been nearly impossible. Today we have a plethora of digital tools at our disposal that make navigation almost second nature. We can avoid unexpected detours if we have proper preparation and knowledge of where to go next. Recently, after a visit to yet another Starbucks, I found myself lost in the jungles of an unfamiliar suburb. I had a general idea of where I wanted to go, but had left myself without the necessary planning – resulting in my being late for whatever my next appointment would be. My only option was to get on Google Maps and start working my way through each street on my way back home.
However, at the time (and currently), I wasn't able to use Google Maps as intended due to cellular data restrictions on my phone plan - which is why I had resorted to regular paper maps in the first place. Part of me hoped that my data wouldn't run out in the middle of my quest. However, after crossing over the same three streets (each marked on the map, but with a different name) over and over again for a block or two each time, I reached my destination. So how did I do it?
I wasn't lost, but rather had a general idea of where I wanted to go - which is why I had left myself without sufficient planning - resulting in being late for whatever my next appointment would be when I encountered this error message:
GPS is an essential tool to have, as it can guide you across unfamiliar territory. However, it is also limited by its own shortcomings. For example, if you didn't know that your phone could track your data usage and prevent you from using up all of your allotted data, and you tried to navigate using GPS in a city where the signal isn't functioning so well (such as Atlanta), you might find yourself lost. Or if police stopped you for speeding, even though you hadn't been speeding…
The lack of GPS services can only be overcome by purposeful planning - which is why I carry a paper map at all times.
Even after 10 years, I still find myself without a way to navigate without a map - but it's my own fault for not being prepared. Or, as was the case above, it's because my phone just ran out of data. But at least now I know that I can always rely on a printed map to help me get where I want to go.
The importance of GPS shouldn't be understated. One especially great example is the development of autonomous vehicles (e.g., self-driving cars). Driverless cars are one step closer to becoming reality - and with good reason: GPS is a crucial component of autonomous vehicles because it allows them to navigate from point A to point B. And that is no small feat: it requires an autonomous vehicle to know the appropriate road network depending on where it is, and how to find the way from any given point.
Without GPS, these cars would be essentially useless - yet they still exist. I have heard many news reports of cars going around in circles (or worse) because they had broken down and were unable to communicate with their manufacturers.
The need for Autonomous Vehicles is clear. And without GPS services, we wouldn't be able to achieve a greater standard of living - let alone make our lives more convenient.
And while GPS technology has taken us this far, it is not perfect. For example, it is a big reason why my paper map still makes more sense than my phone.
But hey - that's never stopped anyone before...
By Nick Rodrick (Boston College)
Here is a link to the image and text file of the article I used in this post: http://www.wired.com/2016/11/no-gps-for-lindbergh/
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GPS can take us to incredible places. It allows us to get our bearings in life and navigate places that were previously only imagined – like exploring the galaxy. Yet there are still times when GPS fails - such as when we find ourselves lost in an unfamiliar forest or urban jungle (like the one I mentioned). But like any good tool, GPS can be made more powerful through practice - just as I have done with my copy of the paper map.
The most common reason for losing a signal is because your phone runs out of data. It's easy to forget about the data restrictions if you aren't careful - so it's best to make sure you understand them before you start taking advantage of the services that rely on them.
For example, if you plan on using Google Maps to navigate your way through unfamiliar territory, it's always better to set up a data connection before you leave home - and even better if that connection is WIFI rather than cellular data. This way, even if you don't have cell service, you still have data to rely on - giving Google Maps a chance to download the map of your area and count it among the places you can go.
However, this is where I ran into my own problem: the WIFI at home was out of commission today. So I decided to use my phone's data plan instead - but this lead me down a road filled with dead-ends (and downloads). So much so that by the time Google Maps had given up on downloading the map I needed, I was hopelessly lost in an urban jungle where no GPS signal could be found (and dare I say that I might have been driving in circles).
Conclusion: in a situation where no signal can be found, and you are trying to rely on a device that has no signal - you will be stuck without any way of finding your bearings. This is the only case where I would recommend going with the paper map over your phone - at least until you get more familiar with the urban jungle.
Useful Links:
http://www.dlist.com/blog/2015/12/14/what-makes-gps-signal-weak/#comment-45070 http://www.dlist.com/blog/2016/01/19/why-are-we-too reliant-on-our-mobilephones/#comment http://www.