Ugh. I find these articles so annoying. Yes map reading isn't a skill most people need or want today. The goal isn't to view the map, it's to get from Point A to Point B. Understandably, some pople (nerds like us), will still love maps. But, for most it's extra-work for no payoff.
We could say the same thing about other outdated technology. "Kids today don't even bother to learn how to navigate by sextant, they're so lazy and lost". "I can't believe they don't teach how to use a loom anymore!"
Technology exists to free up mental power and to free up time to accomplish more rewarding tasks.
I could* learn how to use a loom and make my own clothes, but why would I possibly do that when I can by clothes made with slave labor for $1?
I could learn all the intricacies of using paper maps, but I have GPS/Galileo/GLONASS/NavIC/etc why would I bother? Maybe, if I were into exterme sports like backcountry-hiking (extreme when you don't hike), then it has a tangible benefit. But, I'm a lazy computer nerd and hiking directly conflicts with my laziness.
And then there's the "preppers" who say "Well what if GPS goes down!? How will you get to Taco Bell then!?" ... Okay, if things get to the point where navigation satellites go offline or become unusable, I'm probably dead, or otherwise hunkering down in place.
We could say the same thing about other outdated technology. "Kids today don't even bother to learn how to navigate by sextant, they're so lazy and lost". "I can't believe they don't teach how to use a loom anymore!"
Technology exists to free up mental power and to free up time to accomplish more rewarding tasks.
I could* learn how to use a loom and make my own clothes, but why would I possibly do that when I can by clothes made with slave labor for $1?
I could learn all the intricacies of using paper maps, but I have GPS/Galileo/GLONASS/NavIC/etc why would I bother? Maybe, if I were into exterme sports like backcountry-hiking (extreme when you don't hike), then it has a tangible benefit. But, I'm a lazy computer nerd and hiking directly conflicts with my laziness.
And then there's the "preppers" who say "Well what if GPS goes down!? How will you get to Taco Bell then!?" ... Okay, if things get to the point where navigation satellites go offline or become unusable, I'm probably dead, or otherwise hunkering down in place.
* But I never will.