Global Positioning System (GPS)
Consequence Map
Personal
Personal Long Term Effects
Decreased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which
decreases carbon footprint, as said in the environmental section
Save money on gas / resources
by going on the shortest route possible
Personal Short Term Effects
Spend less time getting to places
Follow your allotted route quickly (whether it be to work,
school, etc.)
Environmental
Short Term Effects of GPS on the Environment are:
The construction of antennas for GPS can lead to
destruction of habitats of animals
The radio waves produced by the satellites can
disturb animals
When Satellites are dumped in the ocean
at Point Nemo, it can cause negative effects
for the animals that live there since the technology
can cause radiation in their habitats
Long Term Effects of GPS on the Environment are:
Can be used to detect migration patterns of birds
People can drive more suitably (e.x by bus)
which would lower carbon foot print of the Earth
People will feel the need to travel
Can lead to development of roads in regions,
therefore the development of the economy
in regions
Can drive up the economy through tourism
Scientific
So far, GPS will and has had significant improvements
done. For instance, engineers have improved GPS so it
can give you a more precise location
GPS technology relies heavily on Radio waves, as the
GPS Reciever (your phone) receives radio waves from
3 GPS satellites to pinpoint your exact location on Earth
There are a lot of things that GPS is used for, such as
Aerial Studies of Terrain (i.e. Farming)
Analyzing the Atmosphere (Meteorology)
Monitoring Sea Level
Monitoring How Much Snow There is
Measuring Volcanic Eruptions
Mesuring Earthquakes
How can GPS tell what is the type of terrain
How Does GPS Work
Economical
GPS has been extremely useful in developing the economy.
For instance, countries can use GPS to develop their transportation by developing better routes. They can also develop better shipping routes to save fuel, money, and precious resources
GPS is very unlikely to affect cultural or ethnic beliefs,
as it provides with humanity with aid in transportation. However, it has been a key influencer in our culture, as it has made it easier for people to gather with one another, as mentioned in the societal part.
GPS is used widely by:
Agriculture
Reasarch
Military
Transportation / Shipping
Tourism
For larger scales, it is used for governments and research.
For example, it can be used to determine where to build roads
for the least distance, or by farmers to tell the best area to plant their crops.
For smaller scales (people, neighbors, company, region),
GPS devices would be efficient and suitable for everyday travel
to locations unknown by the user
Legal / Ethical
In general, GPS sparks the debate
over privacy v.s publicity
GPS however, is also used for malicious intent
Sometimes GPS is used to track individuals;
whether it be the government, private corporations, or
individuals; without consent of the person
In China, the government puts Google maps
through a program to purposely misaligned the
map with each location being 50 to 500 meters
from the actual distance.
GPS is used in a lot of case for good:
Researching (Publicity). Knowing what is going
on in a location.
Catching Criminals
Ease of Navigation
Society
GPS has sparked the debate over privacy or publicity
in our society today. On one hand, you have those who argue that the privacy of government's top secret locations, as well as others location, on the other hand, there is a more convenient and public information for everyone to access
GPS has impacted various social groups, either through
easier navigation, or tracking; which both can be used for
maliciousness or intnent
Since GPS is in almost every smartwatch / smartphone,
it has made a sudden increase in people excising, which
brings them together to compete against one another
GPS has the possibility to bring people together,
since it makes it easier for people to meet each
other in areas.
The Stakeholders of GPS include those who
work for companies that produce GPS Apps
and GPS Technologies. (I.E Garmin, Apple)
