Good Grief, Google: How AI Saved My NYC Birthday Walk
A few days ago, I celebrated my birthday. I am not into them. To me, it’s just another day. But I do try to do fun things on that day. I started at the Intrepid and spent over three hours there. I took tons of photos on the carrier’s flight deck. I wish Maverick were there. Stay tuned for my AI photography post. It’s gonna land soon.
After I left the Intrepid, I headed down to the Meatpacking District to see the “Snoopy in Style” exhibit on Little West 12 thStreet. My family loves the Peanuts. They say I resemble Charlie Brown. One day I hope to hit that homer or strike out the batter. I am fine with my shortstop using his supper dish for his glove. The Village’s geography is chaotic and how its streets are cut off from each other, is interesting.
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I asked Google for directions for the exhibit. Typical of a traditional Google, or any other search engine for that matter, it directed me to many links. Some useful. Some useless. It told me which train or bus to take. Or what streets to walk. Bear in mind I was about 5 minutes away. I told the search engine my exact location.
I switched to an AI search. I was quite direct. I said I was in front of the Gucci store on West 14 thStreet. It said I was less than two minutes away and told me exactly what to do. For kicks, I tried it again one block later. This time I said I was in front of Sephora on West 13 thStreet. AI told me I was about 30 seconds away. All I had to do was make a right on the next block, onto Little West 12 thStreet, and the Peanuts exhibit would be a few doors down.
It was. The line was around the corner. It was closing in less than an hour. So, I went over to City Winery. I plan to try again to see the exhibit.
AI was so direct. I was always taught to explain something like you are explaining it to your grandmother, who might need more direct instructions, rather than being directed to too many options. I was very pleased that it spoke to me as a person who needs a little help and coached me along.
Originally published at https://mitchellslepian.substack.com on September 8, 2026.
