The world has changed in many dimensions. Very often, what we notice and "agree" upon is merely the tip of the iceberg.
It could be argued that the degree to which we talk online via forums, social media, email, etc means we actually chat more, not less. I wouldn't begin to know how to come up with meaningful stats. For many people, "screwing with their phone" very often involves chatting online.
But we also have incredible location related resources these days that didn't exist until relatively recently. Thanks to the development of GIS and GPS, we can go online and get exact coordinates.
But, also, traveling that far can involve booking flights, train tickets, etc. That is an entirely different skill set. You can be terrible at conversing with people but good at using online mapping resources and ticketing resources.
Technology has multipled the ways we can skin this cat. But, having traveled via local and commuter buses from San Diego county to the High Desert and done part of the research online and part by talking with bus drivers while en route, I don't think being good at asking directions is an obsolete skill. It is a skill that you perhaps can get by without if you do not have it. But I could probably still get to Rome if I needed to by talking with people along the way, whether I had a phone or not. It's something I am decently talented at, on a good day.
It could be argued that the degree to which we talk online via forums, social media, email, etc means we actually chat more, not less. I wouldn't begin to know how to come up with meaningful stats. For many people, "screwing with their phone" very often involves chatting online.
But we also have incredible location related resources these days that didn't exist until relatively recently. Thanks to the development of GIS and GPS, we can go online and get exact coordinates.
But, also, traveling that far can involve booking flights, train tickets, etc. That is an entirely different skill set. You can be terrible at conversing with people but good at using online mapping resources and ticketing resources.
Technology has multipled the ways we can skin this cat. But, having traveled via local and commuter buses from San Diego county to the High Desert and done part of the research online and part by talking with bus drivers while en route, I don't think being good at asking directions is an obsolete skill. It is a skill that you perhaps can get by without if you do not have it. But I could probably still get to Rome if I needed to by talking with people along the way, whether I had a phone or not. It's something I am decently talented at, on a good day.