Two things:
1. Reading maps: While this may be a learnable skill, I have noticed that different people have different preferences & skill levels. I think there is definitely some left brain / right brain type of thing at play. For me, give me a paper map, and I'll find my way anywhere. For my wife, forget the map... just give her a printed list of turns. Meanwhile, for 90% of the contractors & handymen who visit my house, it seems maps, directions, and a trillion dollars worth of GPS and cellular technology aren't enough to get them to my house. They always seem to get lost. SMH
2. This thread: This thread is about an annoying UI oddity with Google Maps. I think that EVERYONE is cognizant of the fact that back in the good ol' days all we needed for orienteering was a map, a view of the sky and some good ol' fashioned dead reckoning.
On a serious note.... I AM teaching my 8 and 6 year old orienteering w/ map and compass, because I think map reading is an important skill. That said, I won't deny the fact that for the average person, the technology we have today is staggering. With Waze, you can navigate any city in the world... with the traffic and efficient routing expertise of a local. Heck, thanks to Waze, I even find new ways to get through Cleveland (whilst avoiding traffic) where I've lived for over 37 years.