GPS and the Lost Art of Getting Lost

In a world increasingly reliant on GPS technology, renowned psychologist Spencer Spencer reflects on the newfound dependence on digital guidance. His friend introduced him to a new address near some train tracks, prompting him to follow the tracks to his friend's old residence, only to eventually arrive at the correct location. Spencer's experience underscores the growing importance of GPS in modern society, but it also raises questions about what happens when such technology goes away.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) was initially developed by the U.S. Department of Defense in the 1970s, with the first known G.P.S.-equipped bombs dropped during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. In 2000, the U.S. made GPS signals accessible to civilians, resulting in a billion GPS receivers worldwide within a decade. Katherine Dunn, author of "Little Blue Dot: How GPS Shaped the Modern World," notes that what was once a military technology has become an invisible guiding hand in our daily lives.

GPS operates through a process called trilateration, which relies on signals from at least four satellites to calculate the distance and locate a receiver. This technology has become deeply ingrained in our lives, from ordering delivery to navigating unfamiliar cities. However, Spencer and others argue that our over-reliance on GPS may be leading to a loss of essential navigational skills, such as cognitive mapping and the ability to navigate using mental landmarks.

Cognitive mapping, a strategy supported by specific neurons in the hippocampus, relies on landmarks like trees and buildings to orient oneself in space. In contrast, GPS navigation employs a stimulus-response approach, treating navigation as a series of motor responses. Studies have shown that individuals who use G.P.S. assistance while walking are less able to accurately draw the path they've taken or determine their direction of travel compared to those who navigate using cognitive mapping.

This dependence on GPS has led to concerns about the potential vulnerability of individuals to glitches, as well as a possible erosion of critical navigational abilities. Spencer, for example, has noticed that his navigation habits have changed, with him often relying on his phone's blue dot for guidance. This shift in behavior highlights the growing impact of technology on our daily lives and the potential consequences of outsourcing our navigational skills.