Close to Home by John McPherson for December 18, 2022

they must be studying “olden times”… I see a book and a notebook…I wonder if they have discussed pencil yet?

Let me guess….the teacher’s name is “Ms. Google”.;-D

A map?! I’m scared! Somebody hold me?

One advantage of maps is that they don’t get constantly “updated” with newly corrupted data.

Like a slide rule.

SS.. CC.. HH.. OO.. OO.. LL.. SCHOOL! A place we used to go in olden times to behave & learn stuff.

It’s unfortunate that so few actually understand what they’re teaching in school. I have volunteered in schools for years as well as raised my own kids — and now have a son who’s a teacher — so I have some idea. They still use maps. They still have analog clocks. They still use real books (and many young people prefer them). Don’t think just because we’re pushing technology on the kids that they don’t learn other things.

I have Gazetteers in my car for Maine and neighboring states. I use them when I travel. No GPS. I am an analog girl living in a digital world.

How did we ever get anywhere using a piece of paper with pictures on it?! It doesn’t have:

A digital display, exact pinpoints, optional directions, traffic avoidance, construction warnings, distance calculations, a voice that tells you what to do and when to do it, and most importantly… that same voice tells you… that you’ve arrived! ツ

I loved my Key Maps, but I love GPS more. Best thing we’ve ever done! Well… that and mixin’ chocolate and peanut butter.

I still keep an atlas in my car. Because, as we all know, the GPS NEVER lies.

And good to learn how to use in case your GPS gives you bum directions…which it will!

Next lesson should be what an ACTUAL book is….how to turn the pages instead of sliding your finger across like a screen

My biz partner worked with a young client and they were going to a specific destination that was rurally located. My partner pulled out a map and the young client laughed at him. Partner was offended and told him “those things don’t always work”, referring to the guy’s gps. Price of being OLD SCHOOL.

So – people took maps to find the continent of Africa?

Sort of like lending the kid your car but it’s a manual transmission.

IDE rather use a map than listen to the annoying voices every two seconds….OY‼️

I use both. Sometimes I open my Atlas at home just to look at the cities in various states.

That teacher seems to be using the Tic Tac method of teaching.

Sadly, that’s not what M.A.P. means today. M.A.P.s need to stay out of schools!

Yep, stick shifts are now an anti-theft device and my wife and I use cursive writing on notes when we try to communicate without our kids knowing what we’re talking about.

Is that teacher holding the map right side up?

Learning anything, Bleeb?

Bleeb doesn’t have to worry about getting lost, all he has to do is phone home.

It’s an app, so think of the M APP.

I am a map lover, I have always been one. Will use GPS if I have to, but am cautious. I once used GPS to follow a route, but on the way ran into a round-about that was not on my GPS- round and round I went trying to figure which exit road to take!

I remember every year buying the newest Rand McNally big Road Atlas and writing down the route numbers & waypoints when I went from NY to FL.

I keep a book of maps in my motorcycle saddlebag, since I can’t use a gps while riding.

The accelerating pace of new technology is making me feel ancient.