Theory of relativity

Well, we survived the Mayan Apocalypse before Christmas, but my holiday reading suggested an even more contingent risk to western civilisation – and one which is a distinct possibility. If you’re a fan of maps, charts and other 19th century ways of finding your way around, On the Map by Simon Garfield is, if you’ll pardon the pun, up your street (like Google). He points out that the piece of kit which is in everyone’s pocket and on most dashboards, has come to rule our world.

The GPS, or NAVSTAR as it was originally, has really only boomed in the past decade, and those circulating satellites now control most of our existence. The satnav in your car or phone is merely a handy device for us all. Its more significant uses are that it controls just about all transport systems, whether airborne, nautical or on rails. It runs our traffic systems and directs food supplies to supermarkets and the energy grids we depend on.