While spending time with friends, the topic of global positioning systems or GPS came up. The overall feeling was that while the devices help you find a location very well, you don’t learn as much about the area. Why look closely at landmarks if a magic voice will automatically tell you to “turn left” at the appropriate time?
I was reminded of a lesson I learned a few years ago: When you’re lost, you find stuff.
A distinction should be made between “lost” and “late.” Sometimes being lost makes you late. This is not the scenario I’m discussing.
Getting lost when there is no time pressure can be a wonderful thing. You can stumble across hidden treasures.
A few years ago in London, I accidentally left the Underground one stop too soon. I realized my mistake right away and was about to go back into the subway.
But then I decided that since I knew the general direction of my destination, I should walk there. This gave me a chance to experience the city in a different way. I saw and took snapshots of bridges, gardens, and businesses that I otherwise never would have noticed.
I would have had a much different experience had I gone directly from my hotel to the front door of my destination.
Going from Point A to Point B may be the fastest route but it may not be the most interesting. Ever stumble across a great restaurant that’s only shortcoming is that it’s not on the main drive? Or find the perfect place for a picnic lunch? You don’t notice those things if you’re taking the shortest route available.
In the past, getting lost was a form of entertainment. Back when gasoline was more like 20 cents a gallon, my parents would drive to new parts of sections of the city and explore. They didn’t know where they were going, it was a random journey.
It’s amazing that we live in a world where a small piece of technology can tell you where to go. But sometimes gains in technology can mean a loss of fun.
