Off-Topic? Microsoft's New "Avoid Ghetto" App

[Norma Jean Hewlett]

I'm afraid this is kind of off topic for Web4Lib. It concerns Internet
technology, but I don't see any direct relevance to libraries. Except
perhaps for libraries in one of the areas that are flagged as
"ghetto."

I'm totally shocked by the "avoid ghetto" description, but quite okay
with the concept. I've walked and driven through a number of areas
where I really wished I'd had advance warning about what to expect or
avoid.

My daughter and I were talking about this yesterday. She pointed out
that even though she dislikes this use of "ghetto" to mean "unsafe,"
she had used it recently when describing an area to friends. We also
wondered whether the neighborhood we live in - a quiet family
neighborhood on the edge of a rather bad one - might be included in
the "avoid ghetto" recommendations.

Jean Hewlett
Librarian, Santa Rosa Campus
University of San Francisco

On Tue, Jan 10, 2012 at 10:51 AM, Malakia Oglesby
<moglesby at asburyparklibrary.org> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
>
>
> I don't mean to stir up any more controversy than it's already getting. but.
>
> have you guys heard about Microsoft's new patent for a GPS app being
> casually called "Avoid Ghetto"?
>
>
>
> --SNIP--
>
>
>
> "A new technology designed to help pedestrians avoid bad neighborhoods has
> plenty of smartphone users up in arms."
>
>
>
> "And "what if someone using a route from this system does get mugged, shot,
> assaulted, or robbed?" wonders Chris Matyszczyk at CNET. "Would they feel
> entitled to sue Microsoft because the route was supposed to be
> 'ghetto-free'?"
>
>
>
> --SNIP--
>
>
>
> Here's the link:
>
>
>
> http://theweek.com/article/index/223122/microsofts-avoid-ghetto-app-racist
>
>
>
> My opinion:  While I understand the need and concern for safety I can't help
> but think there's a better way to approach it.  Also, last I heard people do
> get "mugged, shot, assaulted, or robbed" in areas not labeled "ghetto".  I'm
> not certain that I can go so far as to call it racist, but I'm certainly
> disappointed in Microsoft and the Gates'.
>
>
>
> Just my two-cents,
>
>
>
> Malakia
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________
>
> Malakia Oglesby, MIS
>
> Asbury Park Public Library
>
> 500 First Avenue
>
> Asbury Park, NJ  07712
>
> Phone: (732) 774-4221
>
> Fax: (732) 988-6101
>
> Web:  http://www.asburyparklibrary.org
>
> Email: moglesby at asburyparklibrary.org
>
> ------------------------------------------------
>
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> Luis Borges
>
>
>
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> 2012-01-10

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2012-01-10