Sat-nav creating a lost generation

New research concludes that people could become dangerously dependent on satellite navigation systems.

New research concludes that people could become dangerously dependent on satellite navigation systems.

Published Apr 25, 2011

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Growing use of satellite navigation systems could lead to a ‘Hansel and Gretel generation’ of drivers who risk getting hopelessly lost without the device.

A scientist claims those who use the in-car computers are neglecting a ‘caveman’ ability to familiarise themselves with new terrain by taking mental ‘snapshots’ of it.

Referring to the children in the fairytale who become lost in a forest after birds eat a trail of breadcrumbs they have laid for directions, Dr Rosamund Langston said: “The idea of a Hansel and Gretel generation seems like laugh.

“But it will probably take one sad instance of someone being led to an unfamiliar place by a sat-nav, the battery going flat and them getting lost to see just how dependent we have become.”

Dr Langston, a lecturer in neuroscience at the University of Dundee, conducted a study into innate sense of direction.

She claims sat-navs lull our brains into a false sense of security as we keep one eye on the ‘flashing arrow’ instead of looking out of the window.

Dr Langston said: “We seem to have some innate directional awareness which is hard wired into our brains from birth.

“But we also found that another significant part of the brain’s ability to find its way around comes from our knack of memorising experiences from the places we have been previously.

“In this way we recognise land marks, particular road layouts or visualise a mental map of the places we’ve visited.

“It’s probably the way we’ve been navigating the land since the caveman times.”

Referring to taking commands from a sat-nav, she added: “There is a definite difference between being directed and finding the right way.

“You’re not acquiring the knowledge as much as you’re just following an order. That can make you incredibly dependent on a computer.”

Dr Langston added: “Our tests on rats showed that framing visual references was an incredibly effective way for them to get around, and rats are not what you would call especially visual animals.

“Humans are much more visual, we are able to consciously process the land around us, so you can imagine how much we benefit from having an idea of our surroundings.” -Daily Mail

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