Navigating Without Technology: A 24-Hour Challenge

Can You Survive for 24 Hours Without GPS Navigation?

As a lifelong Londoner and cyclist, I thought I could navigate the city without relying on Google Maps. But after just one expedition, I realized that even with spatial memory, it’s not as easy as I thought.

Navigation and spatial memory are closely linked in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, which is the first region to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease. A study published in Scientific Reports demonstrated that our reliance on GPS has led to a decline in our ability to navigate without technology. We’ve become so accustomed to using Google Maps, even for familiar journeys, that we’ve forgotten how to use our own spatial memory.

I decided to test my abilities and see if I could survive for 24 hours without GPS navigation. That meant no Google Maps, no Apple Maps, no Citymapper – not even a phone to fall back on. The temptation to use it when lost was too great, so I left my phone at home.

My first challenge came when I was on my way to karaoke at a bar where I had never been before. Despite knowing the road like the back of my hand, I still managed to get lost. Without the street number written down and with a long road to navigate, I made poor choices, trying to read shop signs from too far away and hurrying, changing my mind, and doubling back.

The A-Z: An Old-School Survival Tool

As I navigated through London, I began to appreciate the value of old-school survival tools like the A-Z map. While they may have changed since you last used them, having a physical map can be a powerful tool in navigating unfamiliar areas. I remembered using my A-Z as a student and how it helped me get around without relying on technology.

However, even with an A-Z, navigation is not as straightforward as it seems. Modern developments like wide streets without names and developer-introduced weirdness can make it difficult to find your way. Central London, in particular, has its own set of challenges, with more landmarks but also more unfamiliar areas.

A Lesson Learned

After just one day without GPS navigation, I realized that relying on technology is not a bad thing – it’s just a tool that we’ve become too reliant on. Our brains are capable of remembering routes and navigating through unfamiliar areas, but it takes practice and patience.

In the end, I learned that surviving for 24 hours without GPS navigation requires more than just spatial memory – it requires a combination of old-school survival tools, patience, and practice.