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> The fact that some just want some directions to where they're going, and to listen to some music along the way, hardly represents the downfall of civilization
by gerbilly 7y ago
> The fact that some just want some directions to where they're going, and to listen to some music along the way, hardly represents the downfall of civilization.
Yeah, but on the directions front, it does represent a big loss in self efficacy. I don't rely on GPS, even when travelling to foreign countries.
I know people who don't even know the cities they live in. They are living in the phone's world itself, you could say.
- Johnny555 7y agoOn the other hand, the security of a smartphone with maps that cover the world have opened up self-guided international travel to people that may have otherwise limited themselves to guided tours. I just took a sibling on her first non-guided international trip a couple years ago -- her fear was always getting lost in a strange city, but when she found out how easily her cell phone would help her navigate the city streets and transit systems, she's been on two trips on her own since then and enjoys the freedom of being able to explore on her own with much less worry of getting lost. Of course, she could lose or break her phone, but then she's no worse off them if she lost a paper map, she'd have to ask for directions, take a cab, or find a new map, but the cell phone gives her the freedom to explore at her own pace.