Recalculating... | Robert J. Burtis

These days, people can't seem to cross the street — let alone drive across town — without mapping out detailed directions on their cell phones. And I'll admit it: GPS has saved my butt more than once, finding my way through the Twin Cities to shows and appointments all over town.

But after forty years in Eagan, I can find most of my local destinations without asking Google for help. Other folks? Not so much…

Four-panel comic. Panel 1: a husband in the passenger seat of a blue SUV, folding tables and chairs in the back, says 'Everything is in the back seat; let's take these over to your mom's house.' Panel 2: his wife, at the wheel, types on her phone as he asks, 'Why are you doing that? She just lives across the street!' Panel 3: he clutches his face in disbelief as she explains, 'I wanted to see if there's a shortcut!' while her mother waves from the curb beside the car. Panel 4: Mom stands with her hands on her hips as the SUV speeds away down the street, and a map inset shows the car taking the long way around the neighborhood.

Click the comic to see it full size.

Sometimes the shortest route
is the one you can see from the driveway.

Another observation from the road: Same-Day Delivery

Comic panels generated with Fotor AI and Google Gemini, assembled and lettered by Robert J. Burtis. Written October 2026, with AI assistance — in keeping with my published AI Collaboration Manifesto.