Explained in plain English
Why do we get lost?
Getting lost often happens when our 'spatial awareness' fails us. This is our brain's ability to understand where we are in relation to our surroundings. GPS can make us passive, but physical maps, as mentioned in the story, encourage us to actively process routes and landmarks, potentially strengthening this skill and making us less prone to getting disoriented.
Stories that explain this
Paper maps outsell GPS, even tripling demand in some citiesQuestions this opens up
How do animals find their way? Can technology make us lost? What is a 'mental map'?This explainer came from a news story
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