3 ms·

I've tried that a few times- then I got lost and had no gps or ability to call anyone (and my city does not use the grid system). Eventually I stopped in a rand

I've tried that a few times- then I got lost and had no gps or ability to call anyone (and my city does not use the grid system). Eventually I stopped in a random suburb and knocked on a few doors until I found someone who was willing and able to tell me how to get somewhere I recognized. I was hopeless before Waze and similar apps became ubiquitous; I've always have to print out mapquest directions just to go to the store. For some reason, routing and directions can be very difficult for me.

jmnicolas 6y ago
I'm the complete opposite of you. In fact I resent GPS and use them only when I need to find an address in a big city. I'm not sure but I think it's trainable. About 20 years ago I had a transportation company and I invested in a GPS device for my van. After using it continuously for a few months, I noticed that I wasn't as good as before at orientation when I was driving my personal car without said GPS device. I then stopped using it completely and got back my inner GPS.
- ghaff 6y ago
  Back in the early days of GPS, I recognized that you could either navigate yourself or follow directions (whether from a machine or a person). I at any rate find that I don't really have the mental capacity to simultaneously follow instructions and think too deeply about whether this instruction seems to make sense or not. I assume this is at the root of people doing dumb things because the GPS told them to. If I didn't have a GPS in an unfamiliar area, I'd have a map. And if it were a remote area, I'd have both in any case. Although when traveling in normal times I do tend to depend on having my phone or at least access to a computer, the further I get from my home area, the more I try to have backups--including paper-based ones. But I expect that is increasingly uncommon.
dredmorbius 6y ago
Making a habit of pulling out OSM or Apple Maps from time to time and tracing routes through the local area is quite usful. Or buy local streetmaps --- they're getting harder, but not impossible, to find. One of the best ways to develop a spatial sense is to purposefully get lost, then reorient yourself. It's a trainable skill, though yes, it does seem to come easier to some.

jmnicolas 6y ago

I'm the complete opposite of you. In fact I resent GPS and use them only when I need to find an address in a big city. I'm not sure but I think it's trainable. About 20 years ago I had a transportation company and I invested in a GPS device for my van. After using it continuously for a few months, I noticed that I wasn't as good as before at orientation when I was driving my personal car without said GPS device. I then stopped using it completely and got back my inner GPS.

ghaff 6y ago
Back in the early days of GPS, I recognized that you could either navigate yourself or follow directions (whether from a machine or a person). I at any rate find that I don't really have the mental capacity to simultaneously follow instructions and think too deeply about whether this instruction seems to make sense or not. I assume this is at the root of people doing dumb things because the GPS told them to. If I didn't have a GPS in an unfamiliar area, I'd have a map. And if it were a remote area, I'd have both in any case. Although when traveling in normal times I do tend to depend on having my phone or at least access to a computer, the further I get from my home area, the more I try to have backups--including paper-based ones. But I expect that is increasingly uncommon.

dredmorbius 6y ago

Making a habit of pulling out OSM or Apple Maps from time to time and tracing routes through the local area is quite usful. Or buy local streetmaps --- they're getting harder, but not impossible, to find. One of the best ways to develop a spatial sense is to purposefully get lost, then reorient yourself. It's a trainable skill, though yes, it does seem to come easier to some.