Thread: How good or bad is your sense of direction ?

Most of the time , I can't wing it or I will get lost. I GPS everything. How are you supposed to know how to get to places that you've never been to ? Most places butcher the fucking ave/st system anyway

But some people wing it rather successfully

Mine is terrible. Friends ask me which direction to go, go the opposite way of what I said, and are usually right. I've had a number of friends ask me how I ever survived Vietnam - compass, compass, compass - and I can read a topographical map. Dead reckoning - no way.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Mine is terrible. Friends ask me which direction to go, go the opposite way of what I said, and are usually right. I've had a number of friends ask me how I ever survived Vietnam - compass, compass, compass - and I can read a topographical map. Dead reckoning - no way.

When I walk out of a hotel room that I just got, I turn the wrong way to exit more often the right way. Usually I notice fairly soon but it's still annoying that I turn the wrong way

I am usually fine in the country and the city

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

compass, compass, compass - and I can read a topographical map.

it amazes me how many people cannot read a topographical map or even a street map. You need to understand them and be able to visualise what they are telling you so you can link it to your environment

Like a migratory bird me.

I always seem to make it home, no matter how pissed and incoherent I get

I can't actually tell my left from my right without actively thinking about it & I don't drive, but I very rarely get lost anywhere. I think I must have a bit of a homing pigeon (bird) brain

Originally Posted by socal

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Mine is terrible. Friends ask me which direction to go, go the opposite way of what I said, and are usually right. I've had a number of friends ask me how I ever survived Vietnam - compass, compass, compass - and I can read a topographical map. Dead reckoning - no way.

When I walk out of a hotel room that I just got, I turn the wrong way to exit more often the right way. Usually I notice fairly soon but it's still annoying that I turn the wrong way

So do I. And fuck me can I get totally turned around in a huge shopping mall.

Anytime you use an "Aid" like GPS your brains leaning and cognitive functions basically switch off.
The trick is to use it once to get you there and then wing it the second time. After a while you will build spacial awareness of your surroundings.

Nah, the Thai way is to stop for something to eat and ask the food vendor.

Originally Posted by Necron99

Anytime you use an "Aid" like GPS your brains leaning and cognitive functions basically switch off.
The trick is to use it once to get you there and then wing it the second time. After a while you will build spacial awareness of your surroundings.

Sounds familiar...

I'm of the long-time opinion that the gadgetry/electronic-induced comtemporary era has shaped a vacancy in how we connect and understand.

Independent thought processes and "instincts" are are no longer viable in a world where automation, conditioning, and dependency are the rules of the day.

Originally Posted by Necron99

Anytime you use an "Aid" like GPS your brains leaning and cognitive functions basically switch off.

What a load of bollocks, you still look at the screen to see and learn of surrounding areas

I think i'd make a bloody good taxi driver.

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Independent thought processes and "instincts" are are no longer viable in a world where automation, conditioning, and dependency are the rules of the day.

The days of following the herd of Bison have sadly gone I am afraid.

Originally Posted by Dillinger

Originally Posted by Necron99

Anytime you use an "Aid" like GPS your brains leaning and cognitive functions basically switch off.

What a load of bollocks, you still look at the screen to see and learn of surrounding areas

Yes, but where is the fun and adventure of trying to find a locale?
Spontaneity, less having your existence designed for you.

Whatever happen to the idea of the unknown.....the spirit of things to come. Without having everything pre-planned.

Having wondered around in swamps, bottom lands, forests, and jungles most of my life, I gererally have a very good sense of direction. The important thing is to know the directions (N,S,W,E) relevant to where you start out and then keep a mental image of your twists and turns. Also try and minimize the number of twists and turns. It is much easier to remember that you walked, drove, due East (more or less) for 15 minutes and then due North (more or less) for 5 minutes.

Learning to tell general direction from the sun and stars or (other major landmarks, like Mt Ranier in the Seattle area), and checking periodically helps you re-reinforce your direction of travel.

Also having a general idea of the major geographical features of the area helps (although I once came up on the left side of a major creek when I expected to come up on its right side - this was in November, high up in the Rocky Mountains - needless to say, I spent one long, cold night walking back to my truck (which I knew was down the drainage (south) until I crossed the river and then west on the road until I found my truck)).

Knowing how to read and use map and compass is a great skill, and although GPS is great, batteries do fail and being proficient at reading terrain can keep you from running into uncrossable canyons or major rivers.

For city travels, learn which direction the major roads and avenues run. This can give you a reference to know if you are too far North, or whatever.

Even in cities, I like to travel by direction (i.e. follow a road south until I cross the Ping River and then head easterly until I hit some major landmark (shopping mall, intersection, etc). It is not always the fastest, but it is (to me) a lot more fun, than just writing out all the directions road by road.

RickThai

Originally Posted by Yasojack

you sad twat,you really haven't got a clue about a real life.

Perspectives might vary greatly as to what is considered real life.

No such standards or absolutes.
Like most everything.

I have wandered into some sort of metaphysical hell ..........

I remember admiring friends, in my younger days, who moved to the big cities and could navigate the roads, complete with all the shortcuts. I was determined to do that as well, so I made a conscious effort to learn the ropes. If I had the time, I might go out late at night to test my skills when the traffic was lighter.

It is much harder to learn the lay of the land when someone else runs the ship. You really need to drive the route yourself.

if you have a poor sense of direction you probably need to check if you have a knob between your legs
its a girl thing
no offence to ladies of TD but those the facts

^The wheel has been reinvented many times...

Even have square ones, dontcha know?...

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by Dillinger

Originally Posted by Necron99

Anytime you use an "Aid" like GPS your brains leaning and cognitive functions basically switch off.

What a load of bollocks, you still look at the screen to see and learn of surrounding areas

Yes, but where is the fun and adventure of trying to find a locale?
Spontaneity, less having your existence designed for you.

Whatever happen to the idea of the unknown.....the spirit of things to come. Without having everything pre-planned.

You are just good at winging it. If you aren't then you need something to go by.

Originally Posted by reinvented

if you have a poor sense of direction you probably need to check if you have a knob between your legs
its a girl thing
no offence to ladies of TD but those the facts

What the fuck does that have to do with it asshole ?

Do you want to compare nob sizes ? You think there will be some correlation ?

When I walk out of a hotel I instinctively turn the wrong direction. I'm not thinking about where I am going but I do think that I know where I am going.

Originally Posted by RickThai

Having wondered around in swamps, bottom lands, forests

You were in Socal land then.