You make a good point there Jimbo. You are correct - people get lost when they are not paying proper attention.
I'm with Newanderthal - I am more interested in what's over that ridge than what is directly adjacent to the trail, so I tend to randomly leave the trail often, but I make sure I am paying attention.
Interestingly, I rarely get confused outdoors, but I can get turned around in a big shopping mall and seriously need a map to get back out