[lucianbr]

I learned to drive before in-car GPS was widely available, at least where I lived.

Going to some new place meant getting a map, looking at it, making a plan, following the plan, keeping track on the map, that sort of thing.

Then I traveled somewhere new, for the first time, with GPS and a navigation sofware. It was quite impressive, and rather easier. I got to my destination the first time, without any problems. And each time after that.

But I did remark that I did not learn the route. The 10th time, the 50th time, I still needed the GPS to guide me. And without it, I would have to start the whole thing from scratch: get a map, make a plan, and so on.

Having done the "manual" navigation with maps lots of times before, it never worries me what I would do without a GPS. But if you're "born" with the GPS, I wonder what you do when it fails.

Are you not worried how you would manage your apps if for some reason the AIs were unavailable?

[conscion]

> The 10th time, the 50th time, I still needed the GPS to guide me.

If anyone else is frustrated by this experience, I've found that changing the setting in Google Maps to have the map always point north has helped me with actually building a mental model of directions. I found instead of just following the line, it forced me to think about whether I'm going north, south, east, or west for each directions.

[carlmr]

So much this! GPS ego perspective directions prevent developing any kind of mental model.

It's the same reason I hate that trains in Germany now only show when the next train comes. When I was a kid they would show the time and optionally the delay. I always knew when each train was coming because you learn the schedule automatically. Now it's impossible to automatically build that mental model.

[duggan]

Pretty sure people I remember similar conversations happening when people decided to produce content for YouTube full time, lean into Node.js as a dev stack, or build iOS apps.

Make hay while the sun shines, friends. It might not last forever, but neither will you!

[redmajor12]

One can't "lean in" to an activity. You're either doing it or not.

[dmd]

I was told a similar thing when a mentor discovered I didn’t know how to wire-wrap my own CPU from scratch.

[eastbound]

AI is much less reliable. Heck, it could go down like GPT went down in quality after the first 2 month: Services could in an instant become less good.

[tokioyoyo]

When there's demand, it will be made reliable through supply. Internet and connectivity weren't really that reliable either 20 years ago. I'm simplifying it heavily, but discarding AI's usefulness and how it lowers the barrier of empty isn't a good idea for the future.

[dmd]

Nobody’s forcing you to use someone else’s service though.

[skeeter2020]

they are if that's the only way you know how to create something

[vishnugupta]

I learned to code during when internet access was limited to about 1hr/week, extremely slow, and unreliable. But now without inherent I just can’t get any work done. I guess it’s same for a good chunk of people.

I never worried about what would happen if internet were to become unavailable. Given that it’s become one an essential service I just trust that powers that be will make sure to get it back up.

[grugagag]

But the internet will change too. Many people feel cheated that all their contributions were gobbled up by big tech and used to train their models without any remuneration or credit. In my life I experienced a very open internet but the closing down trend has started already.

[kenjackson]

After 50x? I use GPS too, but I definitely learn the route after a few times with it. There are probably a class of people who don’t ever learn it, but I feel like this has to be a minority.

[SoftTalker]

It definitely takes me longer. Pre-GPS, I might need a map (or at least notes) to get somewhere, but then I could most likely find my way back on my own. Using GPS to get somewhere, I'd be lost trying to get back without it.

I think that because with a map you are looking at street signs/names, etc. both in advance to plan the route, and much more actively and intently while driving to figure out "do I turn here" and you just remember that stuff. Where as a GPS says "turn right at the next light" and you really don't remember any context around that.

[technicallyleft]

'Attention is All You Need'

[vishnugupta]

I learn when I get lost and go around the circles a few times.

[sails]

Wondering around a new city today I had a similar thought.

Prior to an iPhone I’d have the general lay of a city memorised within 10min of landing, using a paper tourist map, and probably never feel disoriented, let alone lost.

This morning I walked 2 blocks further than needed (of a 1 block walk) because I wasn’t at all oriented while following Google maps.

I won’t spell out the AI comparison, other than I think more “apps” will be created, and predictable “followed the GPS off a bridge” revelations.

[spaceman_2020]

You have to temper your ambitions. Choose languages it understands really well (typescript or python). Choose easier deployment solutions (vercel over docker). Be specific about the versions you’re using (“I’m using nextjs 14 with app router”)