5 Why navigating makes you a genius Reading a map and following a route makes us use a process called cognitive navigation. It’s the ability to see the big picture and to change as it changes.

So if learning how to read a wide range of maps—from a highway map to Google Earth—isn’t yet part of state academic standards (let me know if it’s part of your state’s), I think it ...

Many people have learned how to read maps since childhood, and can look at subway maps to find the exit they want to go to, look at amusement park maps to find the way to the attractions they want ...