Ep 05: "We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us"

Snowstorms in Vancouver cause a lot of chaos on its roads but sometimes leave beautiful scenes in the aftermath, especially with the sun out. This Sunday was bright and brilliant, so much so that I went to church for the first time in a long while. The meetup was at Mount Pleasant, a long train and bus ride away.

Inside the SkyTrain to Commercial-Broadway station. I could’ve sworn I was the only passenger in this one

As the warmth of a small and intimate gathering faded, I stepped out into the crisp afternoon air. It was time to head home. I trudged up a slope to Broadway Street and soon reached the unforgettable TransLink pole marking the stop for the 9 bus. As iconic as it was, no one seemed impressed by it, save the smiling elderly man at the end of the queue—though his gleam might’ve had more to do with the "see you soon" message he tapped on his phone in huge font…cute.

Google Maps promised a 17-minute bus ride back to the station. “Not long”, I thought. But as I reflexively opened Twitter to while away the time, an unexpected urge struck me: "Wait, you're in a new place!"

I lowered my phone and truly saw my surroundings for the first time. The sun bathed the street and brought to life scenes I'd only glimpsed in transit. It's one thing to pass an area paying half attention and another to tread the very grounds of it, you know? "A walk", Google Maps warned, "would take 45 minutes". That's almost three times as long! And surprisingly, I chose to walk.

Me at the China Creek South Park

The stroll was pleasant. There were enough people—and dogs—on the sidewalk to keep things moving. And the quaint cafes and stores nearby made the walk east interesting.

Up ahead, I noticed a lush, snowy carpet revealing China Creek South Park. And following the chilly wind, I took a detour off the straight path, enjoying the feeling of snow on grass and, later, the shade of suburban tree canopy.

I reached the station forty-something minutes later and hopped on a train home. And as the “Train to” voice started playing in the carriage, it hit me what had just happened.

Gogomi’s map showing my walk from the church to the SkyTrain station

Up until a few weeks ago, I would never have chosen a long walk over the convenience of a short bus ride in this situation. Something had changed, and I knew that it had a lot to do with Gogomi, the bot I started building recently that visualizes my walk on a map.

After creating it, I felt more inclined to walk and explore new areas so they could appear on the map. Just as using a Kobo Clara increased my reading time and TikTok once degraded my ability to focus, Gogomi subtly encouraged me to take more walks. It's really cool!

I thoroughly enjoy this new inclination towards walking and exploring. It creates a positive feedback loop where wanting to 'colour' the map means seeing new places I’d never been before, experiencing more intimately the places I’d frequented often and had taken for granted, and, of course, getting those steps in!

Looks like Gogomi caught onto my new walk a few hours ago. And someone forgot to format their numbers correctly, hehe

As I reflect on how Gogomi has subtly altered my behavior, I’m reminded of the phrase by Marshall McLuhan—or some others who helped coin it:

"We shape our tools and therefore our tools shape us"

In creating a bot to track my movements, I’ve inadvertently created more motivation to move, explore and engage more deeply with my surroundings. This is a great example of the impact technology can have on our daily lives. It’s not just about the tools we use, but how they change our perspectives and habits. Now, I wonder: what other technologies are shaping my behavior in ways I don’t fully realize? And how can I harness this power to create positive change in my life and the communities around me?