Is GPS All in Our Head?

[elleng]

'the power of the human mind. It is surprisingly good at developing “mental maps” of an area, a skill new research shows can grow stronger with use. The question is, with disuse — say, by relying on a GPS device — can we lose the skill too?'

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/opinion/sunday/is-gps-all-in-our-head.html?hp

I'm for the mind, AND PAPER MAPS!

Traveled with a friend couple weeks ago; he likes GPS, I like MAPS, and my map and my mind got us there!!!

[ret5hd]

1. i can get about anywhere in the country by staring at a map for a while and jumping in the car...

but the "last mile" in an industrial area in a strange city, or the "last mile" in the far boondocks with no street signs to an old farmhouse to visit some relative i haven't seen in years...GPS it, baby!

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. It would seem logical that mental orienting is a necessary survival skill.

[think]

3. Interesting article. I like both maps & GPS.

In some situations one or the other has ultimately failed me. Outdated maps and incorrect or misleading GPS readings have both got me lost when travelling a great deal.

I now make sure to have both and to also mentally go through my navigation if I have time to create the mental map you mention.

[Renew Deal]

4. The GPS has taught me the route to places and I can then get to them without a GPS

So I don't think it causes a problem.

[gateley]

5. Interesting -- I have trouble navigating my way around. A friend of mine --

from Germany and only over here for a short while -- was amazing. His contention was that men have that ability/talent better than women because historically, it was the man who would lead the tribes to new locations.

Don't know if that's right, but in our case, it was right on!

[elleng]

6. Not right; its an individual thing, I think,

and in my family, my mother had it better than Dad, and Daughter#2 has it better than any of us.

Glad your friend showed you the way!

[CTyankee]

7. hey, ellen!

My two daughters have really good navigational sense but my son does not. He got that from me I guess since I have real trouble figuring out where I am going without a map (unless I know the way really well).

[elleng]

8. Follow me, yank!

(No, follow Julie!)

[CTyankee]

9. I'd have to...no spatial sense at all...sigh...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. I still like maps.

But I still can't re-fold them.