Global positioning system - the new grandmother

By Dr. Muhammad Hafizullah

“Beta, take the shortcut by turning left on the road after passing by the bakery, be careful on the way and make sure you are home before the sunset,” would be the usual advice offered by the elder of the family before leaving the house.

A tacit approval, a few tips on guidance for the way and some prayers were to be sought before leaving the house regardless of length of journey. This was an integral part of our culture!

Things have changed a little - similar permission and directions are being sought - not from the grandmother but the inevitable computer.

Haseeb, my cousin a medical student in New York, would rush to his room for 'googling' the destination and getting the explicit directions before embarking upon any journey.

"Since we have a few minutes, let's go to the shopping mall to get a suit," I suggested to my host and school friend Hamid Nawaz.

"Sorry, we cannot go - as I cannot reset the GPS when the car is in motion," he replied with a straight face.

So we have become hostage to GPS," I added and he nodded in agreement.  Now, people do not have to go to computer to seek permission and direction - it's available online as well.

Most cars are now equipped with this new gadget, which has made life so easy. I remember spending hours on planning to get out of New York and then re-entering New York, a couple of decades ago.

Now the life has become very easy, sit in the car and enter the destination in the system of GPS and take off.

Computer automatically detects the position of the car with the help of satellites and offer alternative routes with approximate time schedule.

Better equipped also offer instruction regarding traffic on the road.

Modern GPS is an invaluable tool! Need to go to a chemist shop - it will look up chemist shops in the vicinity with their addresses and phone numbers and detailed instruction on their opening and closing times.

Feel like going to an Italian restaurant - put in the desirable information and it will generate a list along with their ratings, addresses, phone numbers and any write ups - what's more it can reserve a table if so desired.

Need to go to a general store - GPS is at your service, offering the relevant information.

It stores in the last sought destinations so old addresses need not be re-entered as they can be easily retrieved.

If car breaks down - GPS can help you finding mechanics.

Emergency care centres are all listed along with phone numbers in GPS system.

While selecting a destination it is very helpful as it gives one choices for selecting a service, leisure spot or places of interest.

Most modern cars are equipped with GPS but even economy cars can upgrade themselves with this blessing of God.

Nowadays mobile phones have been equipped with this facility in most European and American cities.

This is supposed to be better in many ways as it is regularly upgraded and the information it offers is always the latest.

Moreover it can be used while walking, talking or driving.

No need to ask the directions again! Land in Rome and it will offer you information on all areas of interest, timings, background information, any write ups and latest offers.

Choose Spanish steps and it will steer you through curvaceous streets.

Feeling hungry and want to have a pizza - no problem it will download list of pizzerias in the vicinity.

Roaming in Orlando one wants to go to Prime outlet mall - just enter the destination and go along.

Feeling low in London and want to visit a theatre - with a click all the ongoing shows, with their timings, tickets availability and critical appraisal are available to lift the spirit.

Verbal directions are an integral part of it, as it warns you to turn left or right before a crossing.

Most use English but it is hilarious to hear the same in Urdu and Punjabi.

Pushto version is not available at present, but why not in the very near future.

Some prefer feminine voice and others prefer masculine voice.

One of our friends stopped using the system as he found the tone of the lady too authoritative and intimidating!

His argument was, "during my childhood my mother has been ordering me, after marriage wife has been calling the shots and now I have to obey the commands of this aunty - GPS!" the system reprimands you on not following the direction especially on missing a turn a turn. The system quickly updates itself and offers an alternative route.

"He is either late or is strictly following the GPS," commented Aasim on Arshad being late.

We had to wait for more than half an hour and it transpired that GPS decided to play a trick on him and offered a long route.

We could see the Prime outlet mall in front of us but GPS insisted that it was four miles away.

Most recommend using GPS with common sense! Some still prefer to use their hunch and initiative and decide on their own especially when lost. At times GPS goes berserk and takes a long route or takes one through uninhabited roads or at other times through really busy traffic.

Some people are vociferous in their 'protest' about this new technology, under the pretext that one does not make any conscious efforts to mark the landmarks and hence remember the ways.

Travelling is like going from place A to B without paying any attention to the surroundings. A major source of learning used to be to interact with locals while enquiring about the directions.

Not any more - the lady spills all the beans and one is self-sufficient even in a new place. The important element of discovery and learning has been purloined from travelling due to GPS.

The intellectual part of the travelling has taken a back seat as it now entails slavish following of commands like, "after travelling for a quarter of a mile make a left turn," and reprimands like, "you missed the turn - slap yourself with right hand without taking your hands off the steering!"

In the current times, nobody can present an excuse like," I lost the way" unless he adds, "as I lost my mobile."

Now people do not insist on directions all they require is a complete address and the rest is taken care of by the smart aunt!

GPS is a smart instrument which has added a new dimension to the science of travelling and rendered human being more independent - it has become an indispensable part of travelling but should be used with common sense.