Who uses maps anymore?

[Carruthers]

Having seen this article in our local newspaper yesterday, I thought that it might be worth resurrecting this topic.

First of all, it's sponsored content by the Ordnance Survey (UK Mapping Agency) so there's a commercial axe to grind.

Secondly, no survey that didn't support the commissioning body's interests has ever seen the light of day.

With those caveats in mind, I think that there is probably more than a kernel of truth in it.

Extract....

Brits Can’t Find Capital City

British adults have no idea where Manchester, Birmingham – and even London feature on a map, a study has found. A poll of 2,000 people found more than four in ten struggle to pinpoint the nation’s capital on a map of the UK, while another 86 per cent have no idea where Edinburgh should be. And almost one in ten put the Isles of Scilly, found off the coast of Cornwall, in place of the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, while another one in twenty believe they sit off the western coast of Scotland. The locations of Newcastle, Cardiff and Oxford also left many scratching their heads. It also emerged just four in ten can confidently read a map with another 44 per cent admitting they have no idea what traditional map symbols mean. A spokesman for Ordnance Survey, which commissioned the research as part of National Map Reading Week, taking place in October, said: “Great Britain is relatively small, yet it seems many of us struggle to pinpoint the positions of cities and locations which may not even be that far from where we live.

It always strikes me as a bit odd that so many people have little knowledge, and even less interest, as to how they fit into the great geographic scheme of things.

I've always considered knowing where you are in relation to other towns, villages, landmarks etc as being a fundamental part of our make up.

Perhaps it's just me!

Complete article here: Bucks Herald

[xoxoxoBruce]

It's not just you. I went to a function in Massachusetts, and the host was shocked I found it without GPS. He said how did you manage that? I looked at a map before I left home. I thought he would faint.

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

It's not just you. I went to a function in Massachusetts, and the host was shocked I found it without GPS. He said how did you manage that? I looked at a map before I left home. I thought he would faint.

Personal observation suggests that a significant number of drivers are content to enter the destination name or post code and slavishly follow GPS instructions, without briefing themselves on the potential route beforehand.
'Get in and go' seems to be their motto.

[glatt]

I know my way around this area, but lately have started using Google maps to give me directions for any trip over an expected 15 minutes or so. Traffic backups are common enough here that Google will find me faster routes than the ones I know.

[Beest]

Originally Posted by Carruthers

It always strikes me as a bit odd that so many people have little knowledge, and even less interest, as to how they fit into the great geographic scheme of things.

Indeed, and more than just geographically, :sigh:

Jim, those riding maps look excellent.

On our recent trip to Boston I missed having maps to refer to, the GPS will get you there, but it's very narrow, if want to explore the landscape your passing you need a much wider view.

[limey]

Originally Posted by Beest

Indeed, and more than just geographically, :sigh:



Jim, those riding maps look excellent.



On our recent trip to Boston I missed having maps to refer to, the GPS will get you there, but it's very narrow, if want to explore the landscape your passing you need a much wider view.

This.


Sent by thought transference