I've had the opposite experience. Google Maps has enabled me to explore randomly with a lot more confidence than before. Now I'm much more willing to take a random side-road, knowing that I won't get lost even if there are no street name signs. I also know that I can return to my original destination as efficiently as possible instead of getting stuck unable to merge back onto a motorway.

Similarly, I'm now much more relaxed about taking random road trips to "wherever". I know I can find fuel, food, and bathrooms.

You don’t need an excuse to explore blindly. I agree that you no longer have one, but I think that is simply a fact of the modern world that requires adaptation. We have to be more honest with ourselves about why we explore.

Also, believe it or not, maps or apps lie. Just two days ago, I passed by a CVS that was listed as still open on google maps whereas it had already been closed.

On the exploration aspect, I'm really amazed that people really trust online reviews when restaurants clearly try to mess with the process or angry customers try to tank places they've had one-off bad experiences with. I take reviews as just another piece of information, just like word-of-mouth or paper reviews were before.

I really don't get that attitude, and this might sound a little harsh, but if GP is really the stereotypical "epicurean" type who wants to experience the world, they should already know online reviews aren't gospel and can be incorrect. I don't know how one couldn't know that unless there is some other reason for not exploring places and such even when google tells you this place is 4 stars while this place is 3.

Restaurant ratings are also a poor signal precisely because they're all relative to the restaurant type.

You can't honestly say a 4.9 star McDonald's is better than a Michelin star restaurant with a rating of 4.8, but it could (and probably does) happen.

In my city, ratings for Chinese restaurants almost inversely correlate with quality. The real quality Chinese restaurants have amazing food but absolutely shite service, and it's that terrible (yet oddly authentic) service that brings down their score.

Meanwhile the Manchu Wok (sort of like a PF Chang's maybe?) next door gets a higher rating.

Agree. Years ago when I saw Taco Bell with a 4-star rating I knew Yelp was not going to be very useful to me.

I find the same with Netflix. Some absolute gems have terrible scores because it is not the usual stuff people watch on tv

Agreed 100%. Something I enjoyed doing a lot during the height of the pandemic was getting in my car and simply driving around, looking specifically for places I haven't been before. I'd drive up and down mountain roads, through small towns I'd passed through before but never paid attention to, and then when I was eventually unavoidably hopelessly lost, I'd pull out my phone and Waze my way back home.

For me, having that power to find my way home no matter how lost I'd get gave me the freedom to get out and explore.

Having information doesn't constrain you, it's your choice what to do with it.

You don't have to follow the GPS' directions. You could just use it to find which way to walk, then take whatever path you want. You can get a list of restaurants and then ignore the ratings.

I agree. You are describing the concept of flaneuring, which is something that is getting lost on this hyperconnected culture.

My worry is that by removing all chance of variability in our lives, we become automatons.

And we become dependent on it as well.

Also, I for one miss serendipity.

You do it because your tastes are different than others. Just because it is labeled as the best restaurant doesn't mean it is the best nor does it mean you will like it. There are still plenty of out of the way places to explore. On the other hand, if you don't have time to explore it can help you narrow down your choices. Not to mention of you search for "best restaurant at place x" you'll get a half dozen different ones. It is just a tool, just it wisely.

I frequently eschew the usage of google maps when traveling after the initial, stressful arrival in a new place. Just because you have the power of google maps at your fingertips all the time, it doesn’t mean you need to use it all the time. And no, it doesn’t demand an explanation to do so. It is your friggin life, live it as you wish, you owe us nothing.