GLOBAL POSITIONING

The more often I hear about how cold it is outside, the more frequently I see people shuttering, wide-eyed, proclaiming; "it's freezing out there", the more inspired I am to take a walk. The overwhelmed public's fear of cold is just part of the motivation for my urban-arctic excursions. I learned at a very young age that apparel was available that would enable me to thrive in nearly any environment for nearly any length of time. Did you ever spend a full day sledding as a kid? Have you ever been on a chair-lift heading up a mountain only to have it stop, suspending you in mid-flight for a series of minutes?  It's getting colder out there folks, and the summers seem to be getting hotter. 

Years prior to my move, I'd been mentally preparing for re-entry into frozen conditions. Getting fully outfitted for said conditions was far less expensive than expected, and was quite a good time. Though I am excessively warm blooded, the fact remains that if you are overpowered by cold, you are not properly dressed. As Uncle Ebenezer one said; "These are garments Mr. Cratchit. Garments were invented by the human race as a protection against the cold. Once purchased, they may be used indefinitely for the purpose for which they are intended. Coal burns. Coal is momentary and coal is costly". 

Not a day passes when I don't recognize and give thanks for the luxury I possess with heat and hot water in my home. Each time I take a shower, I think of how fortunate I am to have the power to turn a knob and receive instant heat. What percent of the world's population has the ability to do this? 

Technology is crucial towards the advancement of the human race. It is also hugely responsible for preservation of life on this planet of diminishing natural resources, increasingly turbulent weather, and geopolitical chaos. With advancements taking place in nanotechnology, it seems the synthesis between biology and technology is closer than we might realize. Artificial organs are just the beginning, soon, most of the human construct will be available for recreation by way of science. Clearly, the gifts received through scientific advancement are invaluable. 

Elements of the original Global Positioning System were the Sun, Moon, and Stars. Maps of the stars date back as early as 16,500 BC. Maps of land date back as far as 3,800 BC. The earliest surviving map of the world, the Babylonian World Map, is dated 600 BC. The compass was invented in China between 1,000 BC and 200 AD, and was first put to practical use in navigation during the 10th century. Sixteen years ago, complete consumer coverage of the globe was established through a matrix provided by a network of 24 satellites in orbit. Increasingly these days, it seems without a digital GPS navigation device, people are having trouble making it from home to their local 7-Eleven. 

Through the course of history, man has had the opportunity to grow closer to nature, and the planet as a whole. The natural evolution of our minds and bodies have built a fundamental intuition. This intuition not only allows us to read and interpret all life on earth, but also in which direction we travel, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Only by our own volition are we able to stray from this course of bonding. The same micro-technology available to lengthen and preserve life, has been allowed to create a divide between man and nature. 

In the decade surrounding my birth; VHS, audio cassette, and the compact disc format were introduced to the general public. Laser-discs were conceived, born, and died before my 21st birthday. The second job I ever held was at Circuit City; May '97 through January '99. During this brief stint, two major advancements in consumer electronics were sprung on the fine people of New England. First came Digital Video Discs (DVD), next, digital personal wireless telephones. True analog cellular telephone technology came to light in 1973, and remained the industry standard for over twenty years. The switch to digital (2G) came in the late '90s. Digital mobile phones enabled the consumer with an average income the means to take part in "personal communications". Talk time became cheap. A life long movie and technology buff, I fast became the first person I knew with a DVD collection. After my first year of college I purchased a Nokia digital phone, and once again became the only person I knew that had one. 

For the sake of this entry, "Generation Y" will refer to those born between 1974 and 1980. We the members of Gen Y have witnessed and been a part of the greatest advancements in the history of micro-technology. We have the widest understanding of personal electronics at work. In addition to maturing in phones, music, and movies; think about television, video games, computers, Internet, and wireless electronics. We have been here, living the evolution of all technology, hands on, in real time. It is our generation that has the ability to separate genuine from artificial. We have the vision to identify "flash in the pan" gimmicks from real progress. 

3G personal telephones, and personal GPS navigators, are the two devices that seem to have entranced our nation. The WWII generation has pretty much left these alone, they also seem to be the only ones with their feet still on the ground. So we'll divide the living into these 4 categories for this study. WWII, baby boomers, the gens (x/y), and teenagers. Through personal research and discovery; the baby boomers and teenagers seem to stand on common ground when it comes to personal electronics. Though the gens use these devices as much as the boomers and teens, we use them far more practically. They are viewed as accessories, useful tools in communication. The boomers and teens have placed such value and loyalty into these gadgets, it has prompted closer review. 

Cell phones in many cases have replaced; imagination, face to face relationships, hand written letters, patience, attention spans, and independence. These days, if you don't immediately respond to a persons call or text message, you must be ignoring them. Just a decade ago, you had a home phone and answering machine. You'd come home, look for a flashing light, and listen to your messages. At times, several days would pass before you received a return call. These days, cell phones frequently take precedence over real people in your life. While growing up I was taught that it is impolite to watch television when someone is talking to you. Over the past several years, it has become commonplace to check your cell phone frequently during conversation. Cell checks sometimes indicate boredom, sometimes illustrate a greater interest in people outside, often, they simply make one feel special, e.g. "someone must be trying to get in touch with me" or "oh, someone texted me earlier, I'll text back right now". 

Most of us have a personal computer at our fingertips for a good stretch of each day. For several decades, e-mail has provided the ability to send a message to the other side of the planet in a matter of seconds. The birth of the Internet brought people together in a way inconceivable years before. The tremendous value of the written word gained the ability to travel at the speed of light through cyberspace. Just think, 100 years ago, a written message could only travel as fast as steam locomotive and horseback could carry it. Time put into fashioning a quality e-mail, in your own time, is a wonderful thing. 

The age old sentiment about men refusing to ask for directions has taken on greater meaning than ever before. GPS has replaced the dog as mans best friend. When I was growing up, access to orbiting satellites was at the exclusive disposal of our government. Here in 2010, pre-teenagers can carry that same technology in their lunch-boxes. People have a new found "freedom" in not having to think while traveling from point A to point B. In addition, no more empowering the gas station attendant by letting him point you in the right direction. I've seen a friendly Chicagoan walk up to a tourist with his GPS/phone in hand, scratching his head. He asked the man, "Hey, can I offer some assistance?".  The man responded with a scowl, "No, I'm fine!". To me, this translated to; remote machines give better directions than the locals. 

Whatever happened to exploration? Trusty old maps and compasses? Looking at a map generates an irreplaceable feeling of independence; seeing the places we can go, viewing the world as our canvas. We need to take time out and recognize that some advancement is not necessary and can even diminish a portion of our god given abilities. The notion of personal electronics being connected to a satellite feels like wearing a leash to me. On the subject, the way people walk down the street with phone in hand leading the way always reminds me of a dog being walked. Whether you are the master and your dog is the phone, or your phone is the master and you are the dog, something is definitely out of balance. 

Our relationships, both personal and professional, have never enjoyed so many channels of communication. Recognition of these luxuries and their temporary, fleeting nature must always be kept close at hand. Last May, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report warning that some GPS satellites could fail as soon as 2010. Much like appreciating the ease and convenience of hot water from the tap, we must be able to imagine a world without such digital communicative distraction. We need to recognize our place in nature and never let our true connections diminish. 

Exploration starts within us.