Good Morning Internet

It’s true: We’re finally living in the future. With the press of a button, you can instantly transport yourself to a random location anywhere in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, or Australia!

Okay, sure, maybe it’s only virtual teleportation powered by Google’s Street View, but it’s one of those very simple mashups that, once you realize you’ve sunk two hours into playing with it, it becomes your new favorite thing.

Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy Globe Genie, your new web toy for the week.

National Novel Writing Month is right around the corner. I’m not sure what I’m going to write this year, but if I ever feel stuck, I could hit the “Shuffle” button on Globe Genie and send my characters off on an adventure.

Maybe they will need to hide out in a suburb in Mineral Wells, Texas. Maybe they will have to drive along the coastline north of Valencia, Spain hoping to find and rescue a friend who left a distressed voicemail. Maybe the dreary weather in Wales will increase tension among the group. Maybe they’ll encounter someone running from the woods in a desolate part of Southern Finland, someone begging for their help. Maybe they end up at Mother Lode Appliance in Jackson, California, where they find a spectacular deal on a blender.

I need to make sure my whole novel doesn’t take place within sight of the road.

I love the idea of using this site as a writing tool. I might even design a full-fledged writing exercise around it. Keep an eye out for some Street View-inspired flash fiction.

(Screen cap and link via BoingBoing.)