A field guide to digital defiance, emotional geography, and the quiet war between instinct and algorithm
Because It Thinks It Knows Better and Sometimes It Does
The sat nav says:
- “Turn left.”
- “Take the third exit.”
- “Recalculating.”
You say:
- “That’s not faster.”
- “I know a better way.”
- “You don’t understand roundabouts like I do.”
It’s not just disagreement. It’s a turf war.
You’ve lived here. You’ve felt the traffic.
The sat nav has data. You have vibes.
Because It’s Too Calm When You’re Panicking
You’ve missed the turn. You’re late. You’re flustered.
The sat nav?
- Speaks in a soothing monotone.
- Offers a new route like nothing happened.
- Refuses to acknowledge your emotional spiral.
It’s like arguing with someone who won’t raise their voice.
Infuriating.
Elegant.
Smug.
Because It Doesn’t Know About That One Shortcut
You know the back way through the industrial estate.
You know the lane that looks illegal but isn’t.
You know the roundabout trick that saves five minutes.
The sat nav doesn’t.
So you argue.
Because you’re not just driving, you’re defending your legacy.
Because It’s a Proxy for Every Other Argument
- You’re tired.
- You’re lost.
- You’re emotionally tender.
And now the sat nav is telling you what to do.
So you project.
- “Why are you taking me this way?”
- “You never listen.”
- “You always do this.”
It’s not about the route. It’s about control.
And maybe your ex.
And maybe your mum.
And maybe the council.
Because It’s Not Your Wife, But It’s Trying
She’s not in the car.
But the sat nav is.
- Giving directions.
- Offering corrections.
- Staying unnervingly calm.
You miss her voice.
You miss the shared navigation.
You miss the “Are you sure this is right?” ritual.
So, you argue with the sat nav.
Because it’s trying to fill a role it can’t quite hold.
Final Thought
We argue with the sat nav because it’s precise when we’re emotional, calm when we’re chaotic, and wrong just often enough to justify our defiance.
It’s not just a tool. It’s a mirror.
And sometimes, it’s the only one in the car brave enough to say, “Turn around.”
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