Do you have any fingers left to drive your vehicle?
Technology can be a marvelous thing. You can be “live” from virtually anywhere anytime, including your car. As gadgets go on the road in your car, the technology can be overwhelming … not to mention making a mess of your car. If you are a live road warrior, it may be safer to fly!
Transformation of the “cigarette lighter”
Full disclosure upfront. I have a 1983 Ford truck that I drive in my rural neck of the woods. It has a radio, but not a “cassette tape” deck. The other day, I managed to convince a youth that he would not die if he entered the beast to ride to town with me. He asked me what that “round stick” was in my “dash”, I replied that it was a “cigarette lighter”. I knew that I was old when he had no idea what that was.
It is indeed a good health thing that the ubiquitous cigarette lighter of the 80s has been transformed into today’s mobility power source. In fact, my more modern diesel truck doesn’t have any “lighters” … it has multiple “power outlets” front and rear for charging multiple portable gadgets. And today, you just might need a truck to haul all of them with you.
Photo from: Reid Brown, The Plain Dealer
In ancient times when you took a “road trip”, you maybe took a folded paper map … or splurged on an “atlas”. Today, there is a GPS navigation system, and maybe a GPS app on your phone. You can probably add to the list of the potential mobile road warrior gadgets:
· Mobile phone … most definitely
· Phone headset … preferably blue tooth
· Portable music player … alright maybe it’s in your phone
· Portable computer
· GPS navigation
· Entertainment … portable gaming or movie player?
Now, add to that all of the chargers to keep it all running. There aren’t enough power outlets. With all the charger wires strung across the car it looks like you have been snarled in bizarre black spider web.
Thank goodness for convergence of some devices, but chances are you have at least three going as you drive your technomobile to the meeting.
So your hands are on the wheel … right?
So, as the phone rings you either have to answer that, and turn up the blue tooth headset so you can hear. At the same time, you need to turn down music so it doesn’t interfere with the call. And, while doing all of that, you need to reach for the GPS touch screen to change the view so you don’t miss the next turn (can’t use the sexy voice on GPS because you are on the call). And your computer, phone, or both are beeping with an urgent text alert.
So, about now you are steering with your elbows or knees as you get the message to bring up the PowerPoint for changes. Let’s don’t even go near how to open the deck on your phone or computer during your call, while attempting to drive with no eyes anywhere near the road.
Many joke about women applying makeup while successfully driving to work, but there is nothing worse than a man trying to “multi-task” with gadgets while attempting to drive.
Morale of the story – “Live Management”
Of course, the preceding is intended as a hyperbole, but it is probably not stretching the truth by much. All road warriors have probably committed two or more gadget sins while driving, jeopardizing everyone’s safety.
There is a time and place to “be live … online”. Despite what some may believe, the world still spins when you are not live 24/7. Statistically, you will live longer if you do not attempt to be “plugged in” while driving.
There is something to be said about airplanes, which limit gadget time and use. While WiFi is now invading some planes, there is nothing like quality time to think in the cocoon of an airline seat. Yes, there are plenty of airline hassles! But, there is nothing quite like the pleasure of enjoying a fine whiskey or cabernet from the safety of your plane seat.
So how about you, do you use OOF messages to detach, or are your fingers occupied with being live while you drive?
Even though I’m now classified as “old”, I’ve decided that I want to live another day. You will start seeing OOF messages from me about driving my ‘83 Ford … where I can’t possibly take calls, because the cigarette lighter no longer works to charge my phone.
