Beemer Texter?

[trophied]

There's a new thread over on the K1600 forum that started with an inquiry about how to get one's text messages to show up on the gps screen while riding.  Most are not too enamored with the prospect.  One member relates that he is not so important as to need instant notification about anything or to reply to anyone while riding until he gets stopped for gas or a break - good idea.  Another member goes on a rant about in the event of an emergency he wants his wife or kids to be able to text him and let him know what is happening, especially because his kids may not have the good sense to call him, BUT they would think to TEXT him.  It seems he has a rather full history of emergencies while he's on the bike.  This guy is not only a danger to himself, but if he's willing to take texts while riding, I don't want him in the same county I'm in when he's driving the family cage and decides he can take a text safely, because after all HE CAN MULTI-TASK.  All multi-tasking means to me is no single task is being done to the best of the party's ability.

[Mystical Cat]

I agree, people on their phones while driving are bad enough, I can't imagine any need to read text messages while riding.  I won't even answer my phone (in helmet) unless current riding conditions allow for it.

As for the guy worried about missing some emergency because his kids are more likely to text than call, well, that's just bad parenting.  Seems too many parents these days aren't capable of setting expectations and holding their kids accountable, and therefore willing to put those around them at risk.

[Lannis]

It's strictly an addiction, like alcohol, heroin, or gambling.    You don't HAVE to have it, but some people, once hooked, simply can't do without it, or even IMAGINE doing without it.

We have a friend whose step-daughter is in and out of psychiatric care because the girl's birth mother, who is a crack pusher and user, currently in jail and who abused her as a child, is TEXTING the girl with all sorts of "good mom, bad mom" messages.  The girl is 16.   

Is it MAYBE an option for the girl not to have a device that will receive texts?   No, it is not.   Children MUST HAVE a smart phone today to be able to live in the world, according to her parents.   It is absolutely unthinkable to live without one.

I go on rides and rallies with people, men who used to be strong and self-reliant, who call or text back home AT EVERY STOP.   And they spend half the evening talking or texting with someone away from the rally.

Your BMW buddy sounds the same.    He's been emasculated by the addictive nature of these electronic leashes.    Thousands of people die on the highways every year because of them.  ("The car ran off the right side of the road, the driver overcorrected, and the car went into oncoming traffic on the left."   That's media code for "texting", every time).

It's why I don't drink; I don't need the risk.   I don't smoke crack; I don't need the risk.   I don't blow money on the slot machines; I don't need the risk.

And I don't own a cell phone, smart phone, or GPS, because I don't need it, I don't need the bills, and I don't need the risk.   At least this desktop is limited to ONE spot; it won't run me off the road.

Lannis

[Mystical Cat]

Originally Posted by Lannis

  And I don't own a cell phone, smart phone, or GPS, because I don't need it, I don't need the bills, and I don't need the risk.   At least this desktop is limited to ONE spot; it won't run me off the road.

Good on you!  I have a smartphone, but I treat it like every other appliance I have - I only use it when I need it.

[1150newguy]

I can only think about the call his wife or kids will get after he has a bad accident while texting on the road. It is an addiction and one that is very easily pulled into.    I have a Sena headset and just let calls go to voicemail. Check my leash at the next stop and make up my  mind if I need to return the call or not. Not wanting to miss an emergency call or text is a poor excuse when it only takes a moment to pull over and get in touch. If you are very far away when the emergency happens they need to be contacting the proper assistance before contacting you anyway. I have a smartphone and it is a wonderful device. However, it is not American Express and I DO often leave home without it 

[Coconut]

He'll probably end up designing a purpose made mount
with a Magnifying lense so he CAN read his texts while riding,
( even though there is Siri and Apps that will read those text messages
out loud in true Michael Hawkins style ) and then he could also add himself
to the increasingly long list of  's wandering around aimlessly
trying to catch new Pokemon characters           



 

[Lannis]

Well, I know I sound a bit "intense" about it, but ....

As a long distance motorcyclist, the most likely thing that will kill me someday is NOT:

1) An ISIS terrorist
2) Socialist food riots
3) An asteroid
4) An armed robber
5) Brain-eating amoebae
6) A nuclear plant meltdown

People get all upset about these things, they scream, they protest, they get into politics, they fight each other, and no one thinks it's unusual.

The most likely thing that will kill ME (and anyone that rides as much as I do) is a driver on the road under the influence of booze, drugs, or a communication device, and the latter is becoming more and more common. 

But nobody cares, because way too many people are addicted.   Good on yer if you can take a drink and then let it alone - it's great if you can take $100 into a casino and leave without having lost more than that - it's great if you can buy a phone and just leave it in your pocket, turned off, until you want to use it.

But the great majority of people CANNOT .... and it's going to get one of us ....

Lannis

[cropbiker]

Well I'm currently riding and find it perfectly feasible to respond to a thread via the screen of my........................................ Oh hello St Peter.... What do you mean I can't come in idiots aren't allowed?