It makes it easy to laugh at ourselves, which is part of the process. It is ridiculous how inept I've become at something so simple and ancient. Thanks for the comment, Lou.
"There is a primal satisfaction in training the memory to recall physical features all around us and the significance they might play on our lives: ..." which reminds me of directions given (in human interaction) with: turn left at the red barn and then right at the second dirt road.
Hand in hand with awareness which activates what you write about.
Yes, it is a choice and also reminds me of a huffy conversation I had a few months back about paper maps. My opponent thinks the gadget is all that is necessary. Sigh ...
This is great, Stacy. I wonder if there is a generational component here? If not, there is certainly an experiential component. Anyone who has felt the pleasure of navigating and figuring it out knows how good it can feel, as well as how dangerous it can be if the GPS fails.
I wish I could say it is just the younger generation but there are some older folks (treading that generalization lightly) who are all into technology and easier (arguably more efficient) practices.
Sam, The Marine Corps sends all newly minted second lieutenant’s to The Basic School, (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia, ( I know you know this…) and there all shave tails are treated to the next level of harassment and physical training, which frankly isn’t very hard. In the day we received 300 hours (You read that right, 300 hours) of land navigation training. Culminating in a Land Nav test, several points on a map that required accurate reading and navigation to within 10 meters of a point. The area was quite large and in summer covered in all manner of foliage.The correct point was a numbered ammo box on a post. Yours truly failed his first attempt. Success on a following Saturday. I would never use that detail level of map and compass again. Everything was at best within 100 meters and when calling for the smallest hip pocket artillery fire, the 60mm mortar, 100 meters would be tight. We used fingers and draws, streams, road crossings and prominent terrain features. I never got lost with a map and compass, and also had a couple of Marines in the Platoons that were great land nav guys. At the Infantry School at Camp Geiger my boss a Captain and I received a visit from Colonel Patrick “Paddy” Collins. He was a legend. He wanted to meet the two yoyo’s responsible for 0311/0331/0341/0351/52 basic infantry skills training. He had been sent by HQMC to look at what we were teaching and get a sense of how on or off course the school was at the time. He had the Boys Scouts of America Handbook with him. He was a breath of fresh air, a hoot, so clear and interesting. He brought up the fact that The Basic School used 300 hours to teach land navigation and then turned to the BSA handbook, which with one chapter provided the best land navigation instruction available for basic infantrymen and officers. Hmmm. Simple was/is good. We ended up at HQMC weeks later being shown around the joint and ended up in General Sardo’s office, where he wanted know how we could make the school better. No doubt you had great GPS in the teams. No doubt you also knew how to get on without it. Simple is good, cold and hot are good reminders that we are at best frail. Hill sprints are nice. For a switch up find your local high school or college football stadium and run a couple of tours. Your legs and lungs burning, you will have evil words for me, but it is a simple effort that reaps huge rewards. Oh, well running up and 5-6 flights of stairs does the same thing. Improvise, adapt, overcome!!
Let's go, Charles. 300 hours is enough to etch map reading and awareness in the brain, especially if physical punishment is the consequence of failing to learn fast enough. I don't advocate for universal military service, but it is probably a good idea to universalize many of the basic life skills that are (at least for now) only found in the military. As for the distance running, I'll do a couple one mile runs for time just for the sheer misery of it, but sticking with hills!
Maybe not topographical maps, but I remember having Thomas maps and looking at the routes before driving. At least some memory was exercised. My parents used to tell me a funny story of immigrants in NYC when taking buses they would remember city landmarks as their stops. Sometimes these were trash bins that unfortunately would be moved.
That's hilarious, and yet what more is needed? They were "on", paying attention, aware of what was going on. I cannot help think they need a way of life those who have only known smart phones cannot even imagine.
I left LA about 15 years ago so we'll acquainted with the Thomas Guide. It eventually became etched in my brain. Haven't returned since leaving but would guess I could still navigate much of the area without the map on my phone
I believe that if we let ourselves 'get lost' our senses and brains make maps. If we try things, our bodies and souls recall what works and what to stop doing and avoid. The hack is living life itself reflectively. Every technology of ease robs us of a tiny bit of our ancient heritages.
This is excellent thought to put words to. Enforced orientation we can probably call it. One of the best things I like about it is it takes time. It’s not A to B; it can be circular; it is therefore a forced cure to the speed of modernity. This is one of the reasons I am against using LLMs for writing, for example. The process is worth suffering for.
It is frightening to look at how willing we are as a creative entity, to just give up the menial, dirty, or monotonous skills to AI. I lived some years homeless. Spent a lot of time outside, no true shelter, no kitchen, no bathroom. And I learned how to survive without those niceties. I was even acclimated to a wide range of Temps. In the 40s at night and average 100 in the day. When I was blessed with a room in a nice home, with all the amenities, I noticed right away that the a/c didn't feel natural. And soon I noticed I was losing my edge of being able to handle hot/ cold temps. Along with my ability to walk a few miles easily. ( the person I live with won't let me walk anywhere). When you walk a neighborhood, you see so much more then from a car. You might even speak to.another living sole. This article and the signs of the times has put it on me to force myself to gain my edge back. Now, don't get me wrong, I won't be jumping in an ice bath, but I will be walking. Keep on living!
Gigi, your story and perspective is incredible. One of the themes I love is how it’s possible to keep that strength (iron sharpens iron) without the danger of truly deadly situations. I feel exactly what you feel and am trying to dial it in as best I can. Thank you for dropping this.
I’m reminded of those highway signs that read “Caution: road may be slippery when wet”. Perhaps well-intentioned, perhaps not, but either way a small denial of our self-reliance, a voice that seems to be screaming “DANGER!” while also whispering “you are incapable of doing ANYTHING, but fear not, because we are here”. I always wonder how many (if any) folks read that and nod in gratitude at the revelation that the wet road is, well… wet.
This is perceptive. It sounds faintly insane when I say it, but after spending time in the third world it is clear that even painted lines on the road, traffic lights, etc have turned drives into zombies. This is not an advocation of the Stone Age, but I believe it is crucial to get attention and awareness back even if only for the experience of being aware. I appreciate it Tim.
At a basic level, the inability to read a map. means that we’re giving up a skill needed for survival. We’re turning into an animal that can only survive in the proverbial hot house… until the power is interrupted. Sadly, this is only one of many.
Doesn’t sound insane to me! I don’t want a big reversion either, but it’s wild to watch what all the convenience to people when they never consider the effects.
My wife has an excellent directional sense and loves to study maps. Me, not so much. As I drive along with my GPS navigator showing the way, she chuckles and say “Just wait until the internet and satellite system go down!” Another reason I’m fortunate to partner with her.
Perhaps not surprisingly, this post made me think of Lewis and Clark.
And I think of 'modern' times, where people claim a right to be taken care of and to be seen to, 24/7/365. No, people should not have to build and ark, to be prepared. Big Brother should control the weather, control all of nature, so that we need not stress.
These are good points you're making. A few years back I found myself dissociating so thoroughly that my brain didn't want to take in any of what I call landscape information. I could get lost going somewhere right down the street. I'm quite sure that sometimes the mind needs that to do some of its healing so the adventure for me has been learning strategies to have the best of both worlds.
You're making me think of another point—it is also a fight for introspection. Looking within and seeing how we've changed over time with technology is an incredible opportunity to learn about ourselves. Maybe even make our own path going forward. Thank you, Melissa.
Akin to this, my kids Mountain Biking Practice has taken us into the early darkness. I've taken to riding as much as possible, even in the dark, without my bike light, forcing my eyes and my brain to adapt and overcome. It's amazing what we are capable of when our technology is reduced.
I’ve been trying to make it a point recently to drive without gps — which, when I type it out, seems to be a very sad thing to be making a point of.
It makes it easy to laugh at ourselves, which is part of the process. It is ridiculous how inept I've become at something so simple and ancient. Thanks for the comment, Lou.
"There is a primal satisfaction in training the memory to recall physical features all around us and the significance they might play on our lives: ..." which reminds me of directions given (in human interaction) with: turn left at the red barn and then right at the second dirt road.
Hand in hand with awareness which activates what you write about.
Yes, it is a choice and also reminds me of a huffy conversation I had a few months back about paper maps. My opponent thinks the gadget is all that is necessary. Sigh ...
This is great, Stacy. I wonder if there is a generational component here? If not, there is certainly an experiential component. Anyone who has felt the pleasure of navigating and figuring it out knows how good it can feel, as well as how dangerous it can be if the GPS fails.
I wish I could say it is just the younger generation but there are some older folks (treading that generalization lightly) who are all into technology and easier (arguably more efficient) practices.
There’s much to think on here. I’ve seen it as well, including in myself obviously. The novelty is both fascinating and concerning.
Sam, The Marine Corps sends all newly minted second lieutenant’s to The Basic School, (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia, ( I know you know this…) and there all shave tails are treated to the next level of harassment and physical training, which frankly isn’t very hard. In the day we received 300 hours (You read that right, 300 hours) of land navigation training. Culminating in a Land Nav test, several points on a map that required accurate reading and navigation to within 10 meters of a point. The area was quite large and in summer covered in all manner of foliage.The correct point was a numbered ammo box on a post. Yours truly failed his first attempt. Success on a following Saturday. I would never use that detail level of map and compass again. Everything was at best within 100 meters and when calling for the smallest hip pocket artillery fire, the 60mm mortar, 100 meters would be tight. We used fingers and draws, streams, road crossings and prominent terrain features. I never got lost with a map and compass, and also had a couple of Marines in the Platoons that were great land nav guys. At the Infantry School at Camp Geiger my boss a Captain and I received a visit from Colonel Patrick “Paddy” Collins. He was a legend. He wanted to meet the two yoyo’s responsible for 0311/0331/0341/0351/52 basic infantry skills training. He had been sent by HQMC to look at what we were teaching and get a sense of how on or off course the school was at the time. He had the Boys Scouts of America Handbook with him. He was a breath of fresh air, a hoot, so clear and interesting. He brought up the fact that The Basic School used 300 hours to teach land navigation and then turned to the BSA handbook, which with one chapter provided the best land navigation instruction available for basic infantrymen and officers. Hmmm. Simple was/is good. We ended up at HQMC weeks later being shown around the joint and ended up in General Sardo’s office, where he wanted know how we could make the school better. No doubt you had great GPS in the teams. No doubt you also knew how to get on without it. Simple is good, cold and hot are good reminders that we are at best frail. Hill sprints are nice. For a switch up find your local high school or college football stadium and run a couple of tours. Your legs and lungs burning, you will have evil words for me, but it is a simple effort that reaps huge rewards. Oh, well running up and 5-6 flights of stairs does the same thing. Improvise, adapt, overcome!!
Let's go, Charles. 300 hours is enough to etch map reading and awareness in the brain, especially if physical punishment is the consequence of failing to learn fast enough. I don't advocate for universal military service, but it is probably a good idea to universalize many of the basic life skills that are (at least for now) only found in the military. As for the distance running, I'll do a couple one mile runs for time just for the sheer misery of it, but sticking with hills!
Maybe not topographical maps, but I remember having Thomas maps and looking at the routes before driving. At least some memory was exercised. My parents used to tell me a funny story of immigrants in NYC when taking buses they would remember city landmarks as their stops. Sometimes these were trash bins that unfortunately would be moved.
That's hilarious, and yet what more is needed? They were "on", paying attention, aware of what was going on. I cannot help think they need a way of life those who have only known smart phones cannot even imagine.
I left LA about 15 years ago so we'll acquainted with the Thomas Guide. It eventually became etched in my brain. Haven't returned since leaving but would guess I could still navigate much of the area without the map on my phone
I believe that if we let ourselves 'get lost' our senses and brains make maps. If we try things, our bodies and souls recall what works and what to stop doing and avoid. The hack is living life itself reflectively. Every technology of ease robs us of a tiny bit of our ancient heritages.
This is excellent thought to put words to. Enforced orientation we can probably call it. One of the best things I like about it is it takes time. It’s not A to B; it can be circular; it is therefore a forced cure to the speed of modernity. This is one of the reasons I am against using LLMs for writing, for example. The process is worth suffering for.
My process is totally worth the suffering. This is what's concerning with all teaching and training that is thoughtlessly fast
It is frightening to look at how willing we are as a creative entity, to just give up the menial, dirty, or monotonous skills to AI. I lived some years homeless. Spent a lot of time outside, no true shelter, no kitchen, no bathroom. And I learned how to survive without those niceties. I was even acclimated to a wide range of Temps. In the 40s at night and average 100 in the day. When I was blessed with a room in a nice home, with all the amenities, I noticed right away that the a/c didn't feel natural. And soon I noticed I was losing my edge of being able to handle hot/ cold temps. Along with my ability to walk a few miles easily. ( the person I live with won't let me walk anywhere). When you walk a neighborhood, you see so much more then from a car. You might even speak to.another living sole. This article and the signs of the times has put it on me to force myself to gain my edge back. Now, don't get me wrong, I won't be jumping in an ice bath, but I will be walking. Keep on living!
Gigi, your story and perspective is incredible. One of the themes I love is how it’s possible to keep that strength (iron sharpens iron) without the danger of truly deadly situations. I feel exactly what you feel and am trying to dial it in as best I can. Thank you for dropping this.
I’m reminded of those highway signs that read “Caution: road may be slippery when wet”. Perhaps well-intentioned, perhaps not, but either way a small denial of our self-reliance, a voice that seems to be screaming “DANGER!” while also whispering “you are incapable of doing ANYTHING, but fear not, because we are here”. I always wonder how many (if any) folks read that and nod in gratitude at the revelation that the wet road is, well… wet.
Great piece, great reminder. Thanks, man.
This is perceptive. It sounds faintly insane when I say it, but after spending time in the third world it is clear that even painted lines on the road, traffic lights, etc have turned drives into zombies. This is not an advocation of the Stone Age, but I believe it is crucial to get attention and awareness back even if only for the experience of being aware. I appreciate it Tim.
At a basic level, the inability to read a map. means that we’re giving up a skill needed for survival. We’re turning into an animal that can only survive in the proverbial hot house… until the power is interrupted. Sadly, this is only one of many.
100%. This is a perspective that probably won't sink in on a civilizational scale until it has too. Hopefully by then it is not too late.
I love it when you’re optimistic.
😂
Doesn’t sound insane to me! I don’t want a big reversion either, but it’s wild to watch what all the convenience to people when they never consider the effects.
My wife has an excellent directional sense and loves to study maps. Me, not so much. As I drive along with my GPS navigator showing the way, she chuckles and say “Just wait until the internet and satellite system go down!” Another reason I’m fortunate to partner with her.
Now that is a first principles thinker. It can take years of training to get someone to think in those extremes. You’re a lucky man Baird.
Indeed I am Sam. Truly!
Perhaps not surprisingly, this post made me think of Lewis and Clark.
And I think of 'modern' times, where people claim a right to be taken care of and to be seen to, 24/7/365. No, people should not have to build and ark, to be prepared. Big Brother should control the weather, control all of nature, so that we need not stress.
It is the Grand Delusion. I hope the return to reality happens on our own terms with a choice, and not when the "must" of nature returns.
These are good points you're making. A few years back I found myself dissociating so thoroughly that my brain didn't want to take in any of what I call landscape information. I could get lost going somewhere right down the street. I'm quite sure that sometimes the mind needs that to do some of its healing so the adventure for me has been learning strategies to have the best of both worlds.
You're making me think of another point—it is also a fight for introspection. Looking within and seeing how we've changed over time with technology is an incredible opportunity to learn about ourselves. Maybe even make our own path going forward. Thank you, Melissa.
Akin to this, my kids Mountain Biking Practice has taken us into the early darkness. I've taken to riding as much as possible, even in the dark, without my bike light, forcing my eyes and my brain to adapt and overcome. It's amazing what we are capable of when our technology is reduced.