Map as Metaphor: Cellphones, Navigating Our Lives post 2

Cellphones are a staple in the everyday lives of humans in today's society. New developments seem to be made every day in hopes to improve the way people live. The word computer has been used almost simultaneously when describing the cellphone market today. Digital maps are probally the newest technology on the cellphone market today.

Maps have been transformed into an electronic form for cellphone customers, which seems pretty helpful. I know that there have been quite a few times when I was unsure of where I was going and I wished I had a map to look at. Google has created this friend-finding system that has many differnt purposes, some are helpful, and some are not. People have the option of turning on an application which displays your name and current location to other users. By having access to these maps through cellphones, designers and engineers are debateing the pros and cons of anyone being able to access information through their phones.

Many good points are being brought up in regards to this new technology. It seems like it will be really simple to stay in touch with friends, parents will be able to know where their children are and the map application can help you find where you are going very easily.

The negative debate seems equally strong. Privacy looks like it may be an issue because someone does not have to be your friend to find you or information about you which makes me a little worried. By translating maps into an electronic form, it seems like it will be that much more simple for people to rely on electronic devices as opposed to human instinct to get where you need to go. Humans have a natural way of processing information that can be hindered by having these maps at their disposal. Losing the ability to process important information in the brain could be a possibility that does not seem like it is worth the risk.

Through the use of cellphone maps, customer's lives may be made easier, but privacy and human development as a whole seem to be the biggest issues that have surfaced in the debate by the creaters and critics alike.