Then they started improving the phones and you could program your home phone for speed dialing your most called numbers. Fast forward to today and cell phones rule...phone numbers are tied to contact information.
Nowadays I'm lucky to remember my own cell number and maybe Stu's...the rest? I don't need to remember them, they're in my contact list.
Same thing with driving. Used to be you used a map to find something or you stopped and asked directions. Sometimes you used AAA for a TripTik, but that still involved following maps.
GPS addict? It may be eroding your brain
When it comes to spatial memory, it could be a case of 'use it or lose it,' say researchers
Now we have GPSs that tell us where to go (and we often return that favor)...sometimes to our detriment. We've been told to turn off an interstate highway directly into an orange grove (no ramp), go over a bridge that isn't there, turn left or right onto a road that is gone while we passed the one we should have taken. We've got a 50-50 chance that the store we are seeking is on the designated side of the road or that the restaurant we are headed towards is still there.
Addicted? Maybe so...read more in this article.
GPS addict? It may be eroding your brain
When it comes to spatial memory, it could be a case of 'use it or lose it,' say researchers
So how about you...still using maps, memorizing phone numbers? Might be a good thing...
Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu
Stu and Donna
LOL! That's me :) I will blindly go wherever that thing tells me to go (within reason). I only do that in the car though, not the motorhome. If I'm alone, I can't read a map and drive at the same time. I readily admit to being directionally challenged, so even with the hiccups, the gps gets me to the general vicinity:)
ReplyDeleteAs a maker of soil survey maps, I am a map addict. I still get frustrated with the GPS because I can't see the entire area and make my own decisions. But it sure is great at getting me through heavy city traffic!
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ReplyDeleteWe use the GPS, but only has a way to get the general location of a place. We learned a long time ago (Stu can vouch for this!) that they aren't exact most of the time. Maps (up to date ones) are always with us and, fortunately, I can navigate pretty good with them! The problem occurs when I am doing the driving, which is most of the time right now! LOL
ReplyDeleteSince I'm hearing impaired and cannot use a normal telephone and use my cell phone only for texting and gmail, I always have to look at my cell's settings to find its number on the rare times that I give it out.
ReplyDeleteMy Garmin GPS is about 4 years old and I have never updated the maps, so I know it is inaccurate. With the economy and housing bust in Florida -- there isn't much new construction and roads in the state though. My cell phone is an Droid Android phone so I have Google Maps app and it is kept pretty up-to-date.
Where I notice the memory is in my math skills. I used to be able to add a column of 3-digit numbers all at once with ease. Can't do that anymore!
We use Google Maps on Dave's iPhone and I am the voice giving directions. We like looking ahead to see what the upcoming ramps are like in case it's a left ramp or a right ramp then left turn so we can be mentally prepared. I do get frustrated, though, by driving past the place Google Maps says we haven't reached yet; we've learned to start looking sooner.
ReplyDeleteGPS? Oh yeah! However, when planning a trip of any distance, we pair the map and the GPS, and then follow both on the road. When visiting Tucson for our several-times-a-month medical visits and shopping, we often use a GPS for finding places, even ones we've been to before, so we remember where to turn. Phone numbers? Yes, Suzy is "2" -- daughter Deb is "3" and daughter Kathie is "4." Others we have to look up by name -- everybody we call is there, just have to remember whether entered under their first or last name. And all the doctors are entered as "Dr."
ReplyDeleteI drove a truck for 28 years and all there was were maps. I would have loved a gps back then.
ReplyDeleteI always force the GPS to go the way I plan the trip (with the motorhome). First I plan the trip on MS Streets and Maps and make the GPS do my bidding. Mostly with the car, I just let it take where it wants.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on phone numbers, I do not know any number but my own cell. But I do keep a spreadsheet on the computer for when the cell phone dies. This has saved me twice so far. I would not even be able to call the kids otherwise.
While likely not true, I like to think I am using that brain storage space for better things. :)
I told our GPS to go in the overhead cabinet last year when it took us on an exit and directed us to a dead end where we had to unhitch the toad to turn around. It was just the final betrayal in our love/hate relationship. Now, it's totally the atlas and we always stop to get a state map. Plus, my Verizon phone has a free app called Poynt that I particularly find helpful!
ReplyDeleteSo far, I'm okay with the #'s issue. I find playing games like mahjong and some others seem to help my brain ~ at least I think they do!
Love to read the GPS stories. Once ours told us to turn right and then take the next left - off a main road and down a gravel road...we had to go to the next place we could safely turn the motor home around at. After that anytime it told us to take a turn off the main road we think through very carefully.
ReplyDeleteI never use the speed dial numbers. I usually look them up rather than memorize them, but once I do memorize them they stick pretty well.
ReplyDeleteI don't have GPS, so I have to rely on maps and directions. I have gotten lost so many times that I'm used to it. As long as I can get home it's OK!
Yep I can identify with this!! I can't remember phone numbers but then I don't have to..... the cell phone will do that for me.
ReplyDeleteWe DO still read maps. Don't own a GPS. We thought about buying one and just never got around to it. Maybe we should be glad. LOL
I HATE our GPS (aka Carleton)...His voice makes me jump when he shouts out a turn or directions..I make sure I have the Atlas in my lap during our trips..Carleton has caused McGuyver to find places to do a U-Turn with the Hiker...NOT GOOD!
ReplyDeleteLove our Tom-Tom. There have been a few 'blips' but nothing major so far. I also look at maps just because I like them.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know no ones' phone number (or address) cause they're all saved in the cell phone! I do keep a hard copy for back-up though.
I love my AAA paper maps, and I even found an office in SD that will still do a Classic Triptik. It isn't as good as the old ones they used to put together, but it's better than mapquest! I check mapquest against the paper maps (to get accurate mileage, mostly) and the measure of last resort is the GPS.
ReplyDeleteI am forgetting phone numbers though.
I use GPS a lot, but I always have a hard copy map nearby (atlas, etc) to keep me on the straight 'n narrow.
ReplyDeleteI bought the big screen GPS and have never looked back! I do all my trip planning on Google Maps. I don't even have any paper maps anymore.
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