3 ms·

You right this like people were born with some sort of innate ability, while my personal experience is that using a gas station toilet means that I have to get

You right this like people were born with some sort of innate ability, while my personal experience is that using a gas station toilet means that I have to get my bearings. I, as an adult in my mid 40's, have to actually think about which is my right and left. I also lived without a gps of any sort for most of my life: Before gps, I printed directions. Before that, I relied on maps when I could or just got lost. A navigator of some sort means that I can make up for this shortcoming and that I can explore. It isn't perfect, but much better than my brain does on its own.

sixstringtheory 4y ago
Interesting, I consider myself to have a really good sense of direction, I can reliably locate north in a city or wilderness (with decent weather) without a compass, and can cognitively map complicated sequences of directions involving left/right turns w.r.t. cardinal direction. I do use directions in unfamiliar terrain but once I memorize, I no longer need them and I can usually improvise in nearby areas. I also sort of make it a game to get lost sometimes and find my way out, and that exercise helps me learn places too. Also also, I have always loved reading maps, I just kind of get lost in them as a pastime. However, I still have to use mnemonics to remember which side is port vs starboard (my mnemonic for this is that when facing the bow, aka forwards, port is on the left, because they both have four letters). I imagine this is what you experience when you say you have to think about right vs left, is that pretty close? Fun little anecdote, my cousin had “right” and “left” tattooed on their wrists because they will forget otherwise. At first I found that unbelievable, but I’ve come to realize how different people can be over the years.
- williamcotton 4y ago
  I have a good sense of direction and always did well with orienteering in the Boy Scouts… and I still have to actively think about right and left, especially when someone quickly says “turn left here!” when driving.
- Broken_Hippo 4y ago
  * I imagine this is what you experience when you say you have to think about right vs left, is that pretty close?* If I pay attention, I can feel my heartbeat. I know that is my left side.

sixstringtheory 4y ago

Interesting, I consider myself to have a really good sense of direction, I can reliably locate north in a city or wilderness (with decent weather) without a compass, and can cognitively map complicated sequences of directions involving left/right turns w.r.t. cardinal direction. I do use directions in unfamiliar terrain but once I memorize, I no longer need them and I can usually improvise in nearby areas. I also sort of make it a game to get lost sometimes and find my way out, and that exercise helps me learn places too. Also also, I have always loved reading maps, I just kind of get lost in them as a pastime. However, I still have to use mnemonics to remember which side is port vs starboard (my mnemonic for this is that when facing the bow, aka forwards, port is on the left, because they both have four letters). I imagine this is what you experience when you say you have to think about right vs left, is that pretty close? Fun little anecdote, my cousin had “right” and “left” tattooed on their wrists because they will forget otherwise. At first I found that unbelievable, but I’ve come to realize how different people can be over the years.

williamcotton 4y ago
I have a good sense of direction and always did well with orienteering in the Boy Scouts… and I still have to actively think about right and left, especially when someone quickly says “turn left here!” when driving.
Broken_Hippo 4y ago
* I imagine this is what you experience when you say you have to think about right vs left, is that pretty close?* If I pay attention, I can feel my heartbeat. I know that is my left side.