Before the monthly fuel bill became the size of a mortgage payment, it used to be fun just to “go out for a drive.” Especially on Sunday.

At some time or another everyone over forty has had the experience of getting stuck behind a “Sunday driver.” A “Sunday driver” is a car full of folks aimlessly puttering along, gazing at the scenery, looking for nothing in particular, enjoying the slow lanes.

No more. With time, money, and energy all at a premium, “Sunday drivers” have been replaced by GPS drivers. We want the shortest, most direct, fastest way to get where we want to go. And our onboard computer tells us only what we need to know to get there. No more exploratory meandering. No more unexpected detours. No more unwritten destinations. No more surprising stops.

We go precisely where W…