Just another feature of the destroy whitey gay witches have brought to our world. Google maps always tries to route me through the most diverted, long way and dangerous route to a new place, never what usually turns out to be the safer, fast choice.
That's intentional.
DB
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The push for DEI has reached the peak of absurdity and danger, folks. We’re now risking life and limb to prove to some phantom source that we’re not racist by trekking through dangerous neighborhoods. Mr. and Mrs. Jones from the suburbs are now tiptoeing down the mean streets of urban America, dodging bullets and beatdowns just to avoid offending “low-income” communities. The hubbub started when Kasey Klimes, a senior UX researcher for Google Maps from 2017 to 2021, wrote a thread on X suggesting it’s racist to offer a “scenic route” option because it would route traffic away from low-income areas, who somehow depend on foot or car traffic from random suburbanites in order to thrive.
The thread in question comes from Kasey Klimes, who worked as a Senior UX Researcher for Google Maps between 2017 and 2021. He starts by stating that the current Google Maps algorithm is objective, and that any “shift towards “nice” or “scenic” routes is going to take some new subset of variables into account.”
The issue with this is that programming “scenic” variables would add an inherent bias into the system that would likely predominantly direct users through high-income areas due to the prevalence of those variables, for instance beautiful architecture or tree-lined streets.
This bias would then lead to Maps “inadvertently diverting foot traffic from low-income streets takes [and] tax dollars from struggling communities and funnels it instead to richer communities.”
Klimes’ thread (screengrabbed below) has now been deleted, and his X account is now locked. This is possibly due to intense attention from other users who disagree with his justifications, or perhaps Google intervened since it doesn’t want its development secrets being given away by ex-staffers.
Imagine wanting to take a leisurely drive or stroll and being routed through gang territory. Apparently, Google would love that because, hey, at least you’re not racist. The Tom’s Guide piece continues:
Google only recently added generative AI to Maps, with a purpose of learning user preferences and then helping to identify suitable spots, regardless of how complex the request is. This was improved again with a new feature that analyzes EV charging station reviews and uses the information to better direct users.
Google will need to add more new features for walkers soon however, as Apple is working to make its Maps app far more appealing to hiking fans. It was revealed that iOS 18 will let users create and save trail routes with turn-by-turn directions, and download them for offline viewing. It additionally supports popular trails at all 63 U.S. National Parks.
The first question you probably have is, why would anyone want to meander through a deadly low-income area? Maybe to buy a burner phone, but otherwise, what’s the harm to poor communities if folks aren’t routed through these depressing, dangerous neighborhoods? Is there data showing that revenue at Church’s Chicken suddenly plummets when “scenic route” is an option on map apps? Doubtful. This seems like just another DEI maneuver that drags us away from beauty and excellence, forcing despair and hopelessness down our throats to normalize it, as if it’s part of the overall “American experience” now.
https://revolver.news/2024/06/claim-google-maps-wont-offer-scenic-route-option-because-racism/