Geocaching allows for the "unmapping" of familiar locations, by layering a fresh perspective/fresh information onto them. If I were starting life in a new city what might the consequences be of getting to know my new environment via geocaching?
Locations on geocaching are created by users and are therefore not the formal or appropriate names for places. These location names are what those who frequent the area or the "area experts" refer to it as, or whoever the first person to name the location decided to name it and perhaps no one changed it. If you're brand new to a city, you may be calling a certain place a name that refers to it, but may not be the appropriate name for it. Culturally you may fit in because you have this background knowledge, but then again, because you're new, some may feel that you don't completely know what you're talking about.
I think learning about a new location via geocaching can really go both ways, it could be really excellent since you are trying to understand more about your area. On the other hand, it could be dangerous, because you may not have all the insider knowledge to truly grasp why it's called a certain name/have a nickname. Whenever I'm in a situation where I'm learning about a new area, I try to learn through geocaching and then do follow up research by talking to local experts and doing some Google searching too.
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