Look what our phones can do now

Maps have been around for hundreds of years, and possibly even over a millennium. They have helped billions of people who were lost, wanted to know where something was located, or how far a location was from them. Recently though, cell phones have been equipped with navigation systems. One doesn't realize how helpful these devices can be until they are in a situation where GPS is needed.

In the AT&T commercial, two children dress up to be Hansel and Gretel. They drop bread crumbs behind them as they walk, to leave a trail, but at night they don't see the crumbs. Hence, "Gretel" takes out her cell AT&T cell phone and uses GPS to find their way back to the cottage. Would the children have been able to get back if they had a map with them instead?

AT&T's unique advertising technique makes me question whether technology is becoming too powerful in our society today. Traditional approaches to problems, like the one faced here, do still exist; however, the twenty-first century has been named the digital age where people rarely talk about the disadvantages of technology. Cell phones, GPS, and the computer have certainly saved many lives and made communication more efficient but they have become detrimental to our society too. For instance, machinery has raised unemployment levels since it lowers the amount of workers needed to complete a task. Radiation from having these devices near one's head or lap is an issue to consider too. Furthermore, others are too dependent on navigation systems--such as when they use GPS to get to a friend's house five minutes away.