My name is Ed Bass. I'm the "Joe Normal" Ed Bass, because there's a philanthropic billionaire, movie director and musician with the same name. Google my name and you'll find all sorts of info about them. Me? I'm a computer engineer currently in the futures industry with very liberal social and political views. Let's see what I find interesting to post here......and if anyone actually reads it.
No fireball. No fatalities. No screeching tires. In fact, one car wasn’t even moving, according to Bruce Hopkins, who was sitting in his blue Volvo wagon at the intersection of Courtland and Hermitage earlier in June, his 3-year-old son strapped in the back seat. They had just been to a class at the Old Town School of Folk Music.
A Chicago Transit Authority bus, trying to turn left, bumped into his car.
“The side of the bus is getting closer and closer, and I’m thinking, ‘Surely not,’ ’’ Hopkins said. “Surely they’re going to realize it’s too close. I’m tooting my horn and thinking: ‘Hang on. This isn’t going to happen.’ ”
As the alert reader will suspect, from the “surely not” and the “hang on,” that Hopkins is British, married to Natasha Loder, the Midwest correspondent for The Economist, someone I’ve shared a number of pleasant hours, trading tales of Rahm Emanuel. That’s how the story came to me, but not why I’m writing about it. I’m writing about it because of what happened after the bus hit Hopkins’ car.
The driver of the bus got out and accused Hopkins of driving into her.
Rather than being indignant, Hopkins really pegs himself as a fair-minded Brit by sympathizing with the dissembling driver.
“What really struck me,” he said, ignoring the bus, “is why would a bus driver feel, laying aside the possibility that they genuinely believed that a car stopped at a four-way stop sign was moving, why would a driver not feel able to say, ‘Sorry, mate.’ The level of fear somebody must feel that they can’t admit a simple mistake. People are generally decent. Why would somebody make something up about something so trivial?”
Why indeed. He went online, where all our answers dwell, and found bus “drivers, after a third accident, they’re fired.”
Actually, like much online, that isn’t true.
It’s four. CTA drivers get four accidents before they’re sacked, to use the U.K. term.
“If you have four minor accidents within two years, you can be discharged,” CTA spokeswoman Tammy Chase said. “If you were to have a major accident, you can be dismissed for up to one serious accident.”
Being British, Hopkins was not so much aghast at the minor damage or inconvenience, as the fear in the driver’s face.
“It seems terrible,” he said. “I don’t think a little scrape where nobody was hurt merits such a thing, or the fear of such a thing, particularly in a country such as America where losing your job can be disastrous for them and their family. Their health care comes with their job. People with chronic illness are going to die.”
See, that’s why we Americans are so loath to get an overseas perspective, to read magazines like The Economist (really, you should, it’s like having an extra brain). Because then we have to gaze into the mirror, full on, at just how screwed up we are. Get in a fender bender and your children may die.
“Why is the driver put in a position where they feel it’s necessary to not come clean about it?” Hopkins persisted. “What is CTA policy? Do they have instructions to deny liability? It wouldn’t surprise me.”
I asked Chase if they tell drivers to deny liability. Perhaps inevitably, she denied it.
“Our operators are definitely not instructed to deny anything,” Chase said. “There’s no truth to that.” She also pointed out that buses are silly with cameras, so assessing what happened is not much of an issue.
“If need be, there are disciplinary procedures,” she said.
Hopkins is concerned, but not for himself.
“In the global scheme of things, if the worst thing to happen in summer is the day your Volvo gets a bit of a scrape, the American dream still has a decent pulse from where you’re standing,” he said. “It’s troubling that someone would feel it necessary to not be able to fess up to simple misjudgment where nobody was hurt. Probably happens 100 times a day, every day. It should be no big deal, and it is ridiculous to be that upset about it. That’s what insurance companies are for. There shouldn’t be these severe consequences.
“I don’t believe the driver is a bad person, or anything would just make that up ...” he continued. “I kinda feel someone’s got to be incentivized by fear of consequences. The system shouldn’t be arranged that way. America should have a socialized health care system, so [if] somebody loses their job over something trivial, their dependent with a chronic health condition doesn’t die.”
But that isn’t the American way. Speaking of which, the CTA reviewed the bus’s video and this week told Hopkins what he already knew: The accident was their fault.
When Google revamped the look of Google Maps for iOS and Android, users were upset about the lack of traditional features. Some users were so upset, the option of reverting to a much older versionof the app was the answer.
With Google's announcement today, Google Maps is finally starting to gain some of the beloved features that were once left out. One such feature is proper Offline Mode. While there was a method forcaching offline maps in prior versions of Google Maps, it was less than intuitive.
The new version streamlines the process of not only saving a section for offline use, but for accessing said sections later when you're without a connection.
First, you'll need to install the update. The iOS version is now at 3.0, while Android is at 8.0. Android users who aren't seeing the update right away should keep checking back. Google likes to slowly release Android updates.
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET
Once you have the updated version, launch the app and tap on the profile icon located next to the search bar. Then scroll to the bottom of the page.
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET
There'll you'll find a new section dedicated solely to offline maps. You have two methods for saving a section for offline use. The first is here in the settings, or by typing "OK Maps" into the search bar at any time when viewing a map.
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET
After activating the save dialogue, you're able to zoom in and out of an area and save it to your device. If the area is too large, you'll be asked you zoom in, name the area, and save it.
Keep in mind any saved maps will only remain on your device for 30 days. Presumably, after that the app will purge a saved map to clear up space on your device.
The idea of rewarding yourself to build better behaviors isn't new, even if the phrase "gamification" is. There are more tools out there to turn everything into a game than are worth trying, but the best can really get you motivated. Let's take a look at the good ones, and when they can be most effective in your life. P
We've explained when gamification works and when it doesn't. We've also discussed the science of gaming in general. It makes sense that you can apply all of those principles to improving your life, being more productive, and doing the things you've always wanted to do. There are times when gamification isn't the best way to get you to your goals, but in many cases, it can help you build behaviors to the point where you don't need the game anymore to keep them up.P
Here's a rundown of some tools that can help you apply that philosophy to different parts of your life—whether you just like to feel rewarded, or you need help turning good behaviors into habits. P
General Productivity: HabitRPGP
SEXPAND
We've mentionedHabitRPG before, but if you're looking for an all-around productivity tool that speaks the language of games, quests, and quest rewards, this is the app for you. HabitRPG is a to-do app; it doesn't hide the fact that it's designed to help you keep track of everything on your agenda. When you check off a task or complete a project, you're rewarded with experience points and gold, the same way you would be if you were playing a game. P
As you get things done, you'll gain levels, which unlock more features. When you miss your to-dos, your health takes a hit, and if you miss too many things on your to-do list, your stats begin to take a hit and you lose momentum towards the next level or set of bonuses you were aiming for. The service even has a "multiplayer" element where other HabitRPG users can help you out, offer advice, or just help you stay motivated to get things done. If you really wish your productivity system were less boring, HabitRPG is a good way to make it a bit more fun. It's free, available on the web as well as for iOS and Android, and ironically enough, it fits in nicely with other productivity systems like GTD. P
Tracking a Single, Difficult Goal: SuperBetterP
If you're struggling with something particularly hairy, like quitting smoking, starting an exercise routine, or anything else that's takes willpower, SuperBetter is perfect for you. Author and game developer Jane McGonigal, PhD built the service with the science of gamification front and center, and it shows. Rather than just awarding points in the hopes that will keep you motivated, SuperBetter breaks down your goal into a journey to be a better you—with all the trials, challenges, and setbacks that come with trying to make a major change. P
The service does give you quests to complete and rewards to achieve, but it also lets you put "bad guys" in your way, like bad habits, your own weaknesses, or anything that might hold you back. Need help? Invite "allies," and then brainstorm or track your progress in your "secret lab." In addition to giving you the right tools, SuperBetter helps you track your physical, mental, and emotional progress, offering encouragement and unlocking new challenges and rewards the whole way. As you progress, you boost your stats in various areas, level up, get high scores, and, slowly but surely, work towards those goals. P
Tracking Your Mood and Mental Health: MindbloomP
Don't underestimate the power of tracking your mood. It can go a long way towards identifying the pain points and stress areas in your life. It's useful for dealing with stress, and coping with anxiety. It also offers you an easy way to connect the dots between the things that make you feel good and the behaviors that inspire you. P
MindBloom has a suite of apps that makes this kind of personal tracking really easy. The Life Game gives you a tree, with branches that represent different areas of your life that are important to you. The game rewards you for doing things that nurture each of these branches, like taking care of yourself, your health, your family, your finances—whatever you put on the tree. Juice on the other hand is more of a mood and energy tracker. The app connects the dots between the things you do and the level of energy you have so you can see what you may have done, eaten, or experienced in the morning that set you off for the rest of the day, or what you may have done that left you feeling good all afternoon. You can also use it to rate and track your sleeping habits. Life Game is a webapp, and Juice is available for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. P
If you're not into mobile games, give our one-minute mood tracking "personal inventory" form a try. As you fill out your "inventory," you'll get a score to help you figure out where you stand. After doing it for a few days, you'll see trends emerge, hopefully trends that you can easily identify and make changes to and improve your overall score (and, by proxy, your life.)P
Working Towards Your Fitness and Nutrition Goals: FitocracyP
Fitness and nutrition are probably the biggest areas where gamification apps have flourished. That doesn't make all of them good, though. We've been huge fans of Fitocracy, partially because it turns getting fit, exercising, and sticking to your exercise goals into a really fun game—one that awards points, badges, levels, and status in a massive and inspiring community of like-minded people. P
We like it even more because it uses gamification in a really clever way—as a guise to really get you both active and involved with a community of people who won't let you give up. That, as co-founder Dick Talens has said a few times, is Fitocracy's "secret weapon." It lures you in with badges and levels and PVP battles with other members, and then gets you hooked when you realize it's full of people just like you. People of all shapes and sizes, doing all sorts of exercises, and struggling with all kinds of health challenges. That's not to understate how much fun it is to log your workouts, use the iOS or Android apps, or celebrate when you level or complete challenges. It's all fun, but more importantly, it's effective. P
If you're looking for other options, consider SlimKicker, which is more calorie counter and strict fitness tracker and less social network, but still comes with badges and levels. Pact, a service we've mentioned before, makes you put your money—real money—where your mouth is, and rewards you with cash for exercising and eating well. If you just like the act of playing a game, consider Zombies, Run!, the app that puts you in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, running to survive or delivering messages between safe zones. If you have multiple health goals to track at once, Health Month applies the science of games to help you build better habits. On the one hand, it may inadvertently encourage you to tackle too many things, but on the other, it's really good about helping you follow through. Finally, if you have a fitness tracker, there's probably some service built-in to it, which is great, but you can definitely do better—or better yet, tie it in with one of these services for the best possible benefit.P
Household Activities: ChoreWarsP
Whether you live alone, with a spouse, with kids, or with roommates, there are basic chores that need to get done and (usually) no one likes to do them. Chore Wars turns doing the dishes, vacuuming the floor, taking out the trash, and doing the laundry into an RPG in similar fashion to HabitRPG, but specifically geared towards making sure the household chores get taken care of. You can play single-player or multiplayer with other people in your household. Roll a character for each person in your home, list the chores you need to have done, and assign experience points to each chore. As everyone in the house completes their quests, they earn XP, which in turn helps them level. P
As you progress, you'll randomly encounter monsters, pick up dropped loot and gold, unlock treasure, and improve your character. The "dungeon master," or the person who has admin access to the household account, can assign new quests and challenge the party with something new. When you encounter monsters, your HP and character progression comes into play—you'll actually fight the monster, and how well you've built-up your character up to this point will make a difference, so there's incentive to actually do the chores beyond digital loot and stats. If you have roomies who would resonate with the idea of gaming their way to a clean house (especially so you don't have to do everything yourself), or kids who could get into making their chores a game, it's a great idea. It's web-based, and completely free. P
Getting Out and Around Town: FourSquareP
Foursquare was probably one of the original "gamification" services, long before we used that word to describe an app or website that gave you points and badges for doing specific things. Back in the day, Foursquare was just about checking into places, fighting for mayorships, and earning badges. You still do that (I just wrestled the mayorship of the park next to my house from a particularly clingy neighbor), and those mayorships and check-ins can still get you perks at different businesses. Those perks usually come in the form of discounts, free food or drink, and coupons for future use.
Foursquare has changed a lot recently, and almost all for the better. It's helpful for a lot of things, like finding free Wi-Fi, free food, and learning more about a place before you visit or walk in. Foursquare has added tips, menus, hours, more detailed user reviews and ratings, even live location-based notifications to help you find well-liked places in the areas you're passing through, along with what you should do or try while you're there.P
It's much more valuable than it even was back in the old days—but it hasn't lost any of the fun and thrill of checking in to a new place, earning points, comparing your score on a leaderboard with your friends, and seeing where your friends around the world are going, taking pictures of, and reviewing. If you're looking to do some exploring in your backyard, fire up Foursquare and see what's trending, what's popular in a given neighborhood, or what's popular at a certain time of day—then rack up the points for visiting and leaving your feedback. P
Managing Your Finances: SaveUp and SmartyPigP
Saving money is hard.SaveUpwants to make it a little easier, a little more fun, and it wants to reward you for doing it. The service turns saving money into a game, where you earn credits for making good financial moves, like putting away some money into an emergency fund, paying down debt, and sticking to your budget. The service connects to your banks and monitors your accounts—much like Mint or any other all-encompassing financial service—to issue you credits as soon as you move your money.P
As you earn credits, you can use them to enter contests to earn real prizes, or you can have SaveUp put its money where its mouth is. Trade in your credits for a donation to your new car fund, for example, or for a gift card to use so you don't have to spend money yourself, or just for straight up cash. You can see some of the winners and what they've won here. While you're on the site, you can check out how it works and its security here. P
If you'd like an alternative, consider SmartyPig. While they don't really make saving a game exactly, it is easy, fun, and it builds on the principle of paying yourself first—you create digital piggy banks for your specific savings goals, whatever they may be, and SmartyPig automatically moves money into those piggy banks on a schedule you set. It's a great way to make saving for something more fun, watch as you work your way to your goals, and earn interest on it at the same time. When you do reach your savings goals, SmartyPig rewards you with a "cash boost" in the form of a cash rewards card or a retail gift card that's a percentage of the goal you just met. It's another great way to get money for saving money. P
As you can see, there's no shortage of services willing to turn every aspect of your life into a game that either rewards internet points and experience, real-world rewards and perks, or just serve as a gateway to a happier, healthier you. These are just the tip of the iceberg, but some of the ones we've found to be the most useful. You don't have to gamify everything, but if its a technique that resonates with you, turning your challenges or the habits you want to build into a game can yield greater rewards than points on a screen.P
