I first started using Google maps around 5 years ago. And it has come a long way since then. What once was a navigation software is now a search engine of sorts.
My idea of contributing to Google maps is to increase my karma points . In this age of extensive deceptive marketing, Google maps stands as a lighthouse in the dark. Speaking very blatantly, there is absolutely nothing in return for this contribution. But then that is the question. Why? Why do I ( and all the contributors) extract out time, upload photos and videos, write reviews, suggest edits and answer questions. What is the purpose?. It may vary with a lot of perspectives. I do it for the sheer purpose of giving back to the community and the society in general. And also a considerable amount of the motive under the previously mentioned primordial purpose is to save the originality and authenticity amidst growing false marketing scenario.
So how do we give back to the society. This is where things get interesting. My objective has narrowed down to two prime contributions.
- I have been travelling in my country for 5 years now. From the Himalayas in the north to the Indian ocean in the south, and from the Thar Desert in the west to Garo-Khasi Hills in the East, there are hundreds of cultures and languages. When I set out to explore, I relish in places that have a local flavor. And when I post about these places, I am asking more people to visit. Aren’t we playing a little role in saving the culture? Yes we do. So when I contribute to Google Maps i also contribute to the community. When you are a privileged person who can travel and explore around, and the country and its people are kind enough to let you explore the places and bring memories, this is the least one can do to return the favor. In all my travels I have experienced that small, local establishments put their heart and soul into their places. So helping local business, craftsmen, eateries, and other establishments gives me a purpose to contribute to Google maps.
- Women security has always been a major issue, almost everywhere. What if you can review a place and answer questions on the safety of women in a particular place (at a certain time of the day even). Wouldn’t it help a lady who just thought of exploring this place and was searching for honest opinions and the exact information about the place. So when I say Google maps ( along with the contributors) is a light house in the dark, it definitely is. And I take all the pride in considering myself a tiny lumen in its light.
Creating a space where originality exists.
I live in India, which is also a part of the “Global South”. People in India have the tendency to be driven more by word of mouth than any other medium of information. And when the Internet is all filled with shoddy ways to sell your business, there is Google maps that might save your day from getting deceived. So when I say we as contributors are saving the originality and the authenticity we are actually giving back to the society. When I write honest opinion about the place along with unedited photographs, we are sharing a first hand experience to the world about the place. When I contribute I make sure the reviews are unbiased and it covers almost every aspect of the curiosity of the reader. I consider this as helping the individuals to know the waters that they are diving into.
And that’s pretty much how I up my Karma points, in return for all the opportunity the society gives me.