North is Hard

A recent study conducted by a Tufts University professor found that a majority of people are inclined to pick southern routes when trying to reach a destination. This preference for the big "S" on the compass stems from a psychological association between north and uphill travel.

Participants who assumed a first-person stance chose southern routes two-thirds of the time. Most reported no awareness of having favored southern routes.

I'd like to assume my minor fascination with navigation and cartography would preclude me from such miscalculation, but I've never put much thought to it.

[Via: Wired]