5 oblique strategies for navigating Google Maps

Random walks around the world

Before we begin: I’m planning on teaching another iteration of the Deep Sea Diving on the Web workshop in the coming months. Would you be more likely to join a workshop at:

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1. HOMESICK

Use randomstreetview to visit a random location on Google Street View. Travel in whichever direction feels like it's towards home. Screenshot the things that make you feel far from home.

2. THE BEHOLDER

Search for a location you frequent and love, and scroll to the reviews section. Sort by lowest rating, read a review, then click the name of the reviewer, the name of another place they have reviewed highly, and then click through to that place's details. Sort by low ratings, and repeat, hopping from place to place.

3. PEGMAN RAPTURE

Zoom all the way out on the world map, then hold your mouse down on the Pegman (the yellow person icon on the bottom right of google maps), close your eyes, and fling them to a random location. Search for signs of life, especially the person or apparatus taking the panoramic photo.

4. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Find reviews in which people interact with public services: prisons, jails, city hall, courts, public schools, public transit, border stations, dams, landfills, libraries, bridges, police stations, etc.

5. EVERY PLACE A PAINTING

Generate random geographic coordinates and view them in Google Maps satellite view. Zoom in, hide labels using the bottom left layers menu, then find a path in the satellite landscape to follow with your eye. Drag the viewport around, continuing to follow that path, jumping to new paths as needed, until you find a painting you would hang up on your wall. Repeat as needed.

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Strategies developed in collaboration with participants in the Deep Sea Diving on the Web workshop.