Oh, no. Farwell’s article in this week’s newsletter from Pcom is the best yet, IMO of course. It is also alarming, because I have noticed the same trend, and I too worry it will destroy the very places people go to get away from hordes of each other. The horde phenomenon has existed all along in more limited quantities and extent. It is the social-media-worshipping frenzy that likely will plunge wild areas to their destruction.
Formerly known as “loved to death,” now it isn’t even love. It is peer pressure to bag an experience, just because others are doing it. The experience is just another notch on the belt. Definitely NOT love, more like bragging about “going all the way” with a popular classmate to inflate your own ego.
At the same time, many copycats get into big trouble when they attempt “adventures” without adequate preparation. Sorry, guys, studying the electronic routes and seeing some photos doesn’t substitute for old-fashioned training. People are following their electronic idiot’s directions instead of checking against what their eyes and other resources tell them, in real life. The things are only a supplemental tool, not a substitute for common sense, general knowledge of what is to be undertaken, and other tools that are not programmed (i.e., fed data that is often wrong).
Ever seen someone stop in a car and insist that a road must exist straight ahead BECAUSE THEIR ELECTRONIC NAV SYSTEM SAYS SO? Well, I have, and even after telling him twice that no, the road ends right there as he stares in front, he acts as though it can’t be. SHEESH. When someone finds a mistake on a paper map, they say, “Oh, it must be a mistake.” But for some reason, people act as though the electronic gods cannot possibly be wrong! Blasphemy!
I hate to break it to them that the gods are merely programmed by humans, and therefore every bit as prone to error.
The old slogan Get Rid Of Your TV needs to be recycled as Put The E-Idiot Toy Away. Really, it’s OK to use other tools.