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Keep in mind that this is not mainly a technological problem, it's a problem caused by technology; which means that technological solutions will only go so far.

by codr7 6y ago

Keep in mind that this is not mainly a technological problem, it's a problem caused by technology; which means that technological solutions will only go so far. I've spent several months in similar or more extreme forms [0] of isolation, and I'd recommend anyone to consider trying it out just to get a taste of what's possible. These days I don't even carry a smartphone anymore, as I've found the sum of it's effects to be negative. [0] https://www.yogameditation.com/retreats/the-3-month-sadhana-retreat/ https://www.yogameditation.com/retreats/the-3-month-sadhana-...

coldpie 6y ago
> These days I don't even carry a smartphone anymore, as I've found the sum of its effects to be negative. I'm pretty close to this point myself. The big thing that keeps me from just ditching the phone entirely is Google Maps. I guess I could just chuck the thing in a drawer until I need to use it to go someplace.
- mathieuh 6y ago
  You could buy a standalone GPS device, I know Garmin make ones for hiking, I'm sure there are other probably cheaper options out there.
  - freehunter 6y ago
    For all the people up and down this thread saying “just buy a dedicated GPS”, realize that Google Maps is not a GPS device. It has restaurant reviews and information about parks and bike paths and parking lots and busy hours and traffic data and street closures and pictures/menus and so much more. If the question is “what restaurant do we want to go to after we leave the theater, within walking distance or public transport, that’s open right now and accepts credit cards but also has vegetarian options”, a simple GPS isn’t going to answer that question in a way even remotely similar to Google Maps.
    - codr7 6y ago
      Did you consider simply asking a local on the street? From my experience you'll get better information that way, and as an added bonus you get to interact with a real live human being. I traveled through most of Italy by bus last autumn, with an ancient Nokia phone. As a result I was completely dependent on real humans, which turned out to be a blessing. The thing is, most people are more than happy to help once they get over the hump of suspecting you for whatever. A friendly smile goes a long way.
    - olyjohn 6y ago
      You could also look this up at home on a dedicated computing terminal before going out.
      - codr7 6y ago
        I actuallly did, even drew nice street maps in my notebook. But once I was there, simply asking someone in the street turned out to be a much better idea.
- codr7 6y ago
  I carry a CAT phone with KaiOS that has Google Maps but not much more. That being said, I've never felt the urge to use it yet since it's a serious pita and I'm on a cash card which means data traffic is REALLY expensive.
- misev 6y ago
  If maps is the only thing, you could easily replace it with a cheap dedicated GPS device?

by codr7 6y ago

coldpie 6y ago

> These days I don't even carry a smartphone anymore, as I've found the sum of its effects to be negative. I'm pretty close to this point myself. The big thing that keeps me from just ditching the phone entirely is Google Maps. I guess I could just chuck the thing in a drawer until I need to use it to go someplace.

mathieuh 6y ago
You could buy a standalone GPS device, I know Garmin make ones for hiking, I'm sure there are other probably cheaper options out there.
- freehunter 6y ago
  For all the people up and down this thread saying “just buy a dedicated GPS”, realize that Google Maps is not a GPS device. It has restaurant reviews and information about parks and bike paths and parking lots and busy hours and traffic data and street closures and pictures/menus and so much more. If the question is “what restaurant do we want to go to after we leave the theater, within walking distance or public transport, that’s open right now and accepts credit cards but also has vegetarian options”, a simple GPS isn’t going to answer that question in a way even remotely similar to Google Maps.
  - codr7 6y ago
    Did you consider simply asking a local on the street? From my experience you'll get better information that way, and as an added bonus you get to interact with a real live human being. I traveled through most of Italy by bus last autumn, with an ancient Nokia phone. As a result I was completely dependent on real humans, which turned out to be a blessing. The thing is, most people are more than happy to help once they get over the hump of suspecting you for whatever. A friendly smile goes a long way.
  - olyjohn 6y ago
    You could also look this up at home on a dedicated computing terminal before going out.
    - codr7 6y ago
      I actuallly did, even drew nice street maps in my notebook. But once I was there, simply asking someone in the street turned out to be a much better idea.
codr7 6y ago
I carry a CAT phone with KaiOS that has Google Maps but not much more. That being said, I've never felt the urge to use it yet since it's a serious pita and I'm on a cash card which means data traffic is REALLY expensive.
misev 6y ago
If maps is the only thing, you could easily replace it with a cheap dedicated GPS device?