People knee-jerkingly say they "can't imagine" living without modern conveniences -- their cars, TV, Skype, online takeout or grocery delivery -- all the time.

People knee-jerkingly say they "can't imagine" living without modern conveniences -- their cars, TV, Skype, online takeout or grocery delivery -- all the time. Another interpretation is that they've grown complacent, and are arguably addicted to some of these conveniences. Which is exactly the state of conditioning that the companies offering these services would like them to be in. Either way -- even though online maps are definitely a boon, something about the idea that one "can't imagine" the world before 2005 (that is, before Google Maps) just doesn't quite add up.