Endless Thread Lost without you: 20 years of finding (losing?) our way with Google Maps
Dec 19, 2025
Jay Foreman, a comedian and co-creator of the Map Men, dives into the unexpected impact of Google Maps over the past 20 years. He shares poignant stories of New Orleanians using Google Earth after Hurricane Katrina to regain agency over their lives. The discussion examines the dual-edged sword of navigation technology, revealing how it has transformed our spatial skills and perceptions. Foreman also humorously suggests getting lost intentionally to boost our geographical instincts, pushing back against the blue dot dependency.
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Remote Damage Assessment After Katrina
- After Katrina, Laureen used Google Earth from hundreds of miles away to check flooding in Treme and decide when to return.
- The satellite imagery gave her a prep window to strategize recovery before re-entering the disaster zone.
Maps Filled A Void — And Created One
- Google Maps and Earth filled a huge information vacuum by providing satellite imagery and directions to billions of users.
- But their ubiquity also created dependency and changed how societies perceive and navigate space.
Watching A Home From A Hotel Room
- Scooter and his family used Google Earth daily to watch when floodwaters receded so they could plan their return.
- When they finally visited, the house was destroyed and many irreplaceable family items were lost.