They almost beat him up.
The green-yellow-red logo he must have been so proud of. It almost got him killed.
It was nice of the residents of Broughton (a large village in southeastern England) to let go of the Google street view car driver [1]. But ya, they were irked as hell for sure.
Google maps, like many (not most) other things Google, has become indispensable. And thus become the cause of such unadulterated hypocrisy, it is now disgusting.
It’s very nice when Gmail finds out that your e-mail is talking of your shipment, finds out the tracking number and nicely places it on the right. Very convenient. Very. But then they will complain about privacy. That Google is going through our mails. Of course it is! And if you are so concerned, switch! Switch to yahoo (find it slow?), Hotmail (slower?). Why not AOL? (what’s AOL?). Welcome to Gmail.
And then they cry since Google knows everything (what is they use it?). Sure. Your bank has all your money (what if they run away? – they do it sometimes). Your hospital knows what you are allergic to. Your grocery store knows your shopping habits (all the junk in your mailbox? – no, the physical one). A LOT of people know about you.
I once heard someone complain about ads as compared to earlier. It was shocking. Ok, so five years back there were lesser ads. There were lesser songs on YouTube. Lesser accuracy in weather reports. Lesser news articles to read. Lesser ease of shopping at your favorite clearance sale. Ya, there was less of Google. Again, don’t cry! Switch!
So coming back to maps. (By the way even Bing has pretty detailed maps, when it finally loads in about 10 minutes that is). I was involved in a conversation once. My friend was expressing his concern: “Google maps, that’s all what a terrorist needs. They can see the world in such detail. It is so helpful to them. That site should be brought down.” I could only say: “How about bringing the telephone network down. I am pretty sure they use cellphones.” I think he got hurt.
But yes, maybe Google maps should wait. They should hold back. The world is getting too much utility from that site. Too much, without even asking for it. Let them crave for it – “I wish there was something like this” – and then release. They should do this, at least before they launch 3D. And please, let me watch San Diego in aerial view now. It’s beautiful.
