Originally Posted by
andrewclaus
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I do have a smart phone now (new last year), but still prefer the "old way." I've heard that kind of spatial thinking is good for the brain, and I enjoy the mental challenge. And as mentioned, getting off route can be fun too, and can lead to new friends and adventures.
There was an entire article in the NY Times a few years ago commenting on how people lose that ability to "know" direction and the ability to use spatial thinking to locate themselves and find their way to destinations. Part of the article was the methods used to train London cabbies (the black vehicle, not the newer versions) whom have to pass a rigorous test at finding their way around the city, including locating really obscure restaurants, business, etc.... and not allowed to use Google Maps or a GPS. Takes like a year or two before they pass a test and get accepted.