&gt; If we’re being honest, it’s not that hard to imagine doing something similar ourselves. Most of us use GPS as a crutch while driving through unfamiliar terrain, tuning out and letting that soothing voice do the dirty work of navigating.<p>It is very difficult for me to imagine driving 250 miles out of the way (<i>especially</i> when I&#x27;m tired and really want to get where I&#x27;m going); or driving into the ocean; or driving off a bridge because I&#x27;ve ignored all the road closed signs. I don&#x27;t even shut my brain off to this degree when another human is helping navigate.<p>The article is saying our cognitive maps are deteriorating because navigation software provides the information instantly at hand. For some people that may be true. I&#x27;ve noticed this effect in other aspects of my life, though not with navigation. But even if true, that does not explain people ignoring all other indicators that something is not correct.