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Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

blog.google

11–20 of 293 posts

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#11
post #5

Google greenwashing what is clearly a demonstration of its power to redirect flows of people at a whim. I wonder what other purposes such redirections could be used for?

Were I in such a position I would set something like google maps up to steer other people away from the route I want to take. Less traffic baby!

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#12
post #3

So it'll only show walking directions?

I get that you're being flippant, but I did have a coworker who calculated the carbon footprint of his commute for various modes of transport, including walking. He came to the conclusion that, given the average amount of CO2 produced per calorie consumed, riding an e-bike was actually the lowest-impact way.

Until you have an accident and require lots of carbon intensive medical treatment, and your ebike is trashed. Disclaimer: I ride and love ebikes.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#14
I and more recently my wife have been getting walking directions for short trips by default. It's a nice idea but 100% of the time this has been useless - eg I am running errands and I'm not going to leave the car at store #3 just because I could walk from it too store #4

I can see this be very useful in a foreign city where you're trying to get around and don't know the options.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#15
post #3

So it'll only show walking directions?

I get that you're being flippant, but I did have a coworker who calculated the carbon footprint of his commute for various modes of transport, including walking. He came to the conclusion that, given the average amount of CO2 produced per calorie consumed, riding an e-bike was actually the lowest-impact way.

Wow he must be quite the farter.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#16
post #7
post #5

Google greenwashing what is clearly a demonstration of its power to redirect flows of people at a whim. I wonder what other purposes such redirections could be used for?

It puzzles me how HN is so cynic about anything that comes from Google.

Honestly though, what about any of Google's behavior in the past several years should make us give them the benefit of the doubt?

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#17
post #7
post #5

Google greenwashing what is clearly a demonstration of its power to redirect flows of people at a whim. I wonder what other purposes such redirections could be used for?

It puzzles me how HN is so cynic about anything that comes from Google.

How are you not?

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I get that you're being flippant, but I did have a coworker who calculated the carbon footprint of his commute for various modes of transport, including walking. He came to the conclusion that, given the average amount of CO2 produced per calorie consumed, riding an e-bike was actually the lowest-impact way.

Until you have an accident and require lots of carbon intensive medical treatment, and your ebike is trashed. Disclaimer: I ride and love ebikes.

Yeah because walking is accident-free and cars are so much cheaper and carbon-friendlier to repair than bicycles.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#19
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It puzzles me how HN is so cynic about anything that comes from Google.

Honestly though, what about any of Google's behavior in the past several years should make us give them the benefit of the doubt?

The fact that it is an immense and heterogeneous organization with many different decision-makers at all levels with varying priorities and intentions. Essentializing Google as a singular agent obscures this perspective and gives no credence to those who are trying to push it in better directions from the inside.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#20
post #3

So it'll only show walking directions?

I get that you're being flippant, but I did have a coworker who calculated the carbon footprint of his commute for various modes of transport, including walking. He came to the conclusion that, given the average amount of CO2 produced per calorie consumed, riding an e-bike was actually the lowest-impact way.

was the manufacturing of the e-bike considered?
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