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True, but the tools make the default behavior so tempting.

I have a friend who uses Google Maps to find places, then memorizes the route there and closes the app to navigate because he wants to build a better mental map of our city. Meanwhile, I just check the app every five seconds like a dummy, and my hippocampus stays small.

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This is a good parallel. In the 90s when I learned to drive I was quite good at navigating. Now google maps is on a screen in my car telling me where to go whenever I drive beyond my most common routes.

Really all the research telling us about AI skills atrophy.. We should have guessed from previous experience.

Old people my entire life have made fun of younger people for “not being able to read maps” or something.

But I’ve never seen anyone follow a GPS so religiously into so many obvious dead ends than elderly Uber drivers.

Your friend use google maps, while google maps uses you.

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