 |
|
|
|
 A new study takes a look at how an external memory system like the Internet affects our ability to remember information.
July 14th, 2011
02:00 PM ET
Is the Internet replacing our own memory?Can’t remember the name of the movie you saw last year starring Emily Deschanel’s sister? Or that recipe you used for chicken salad last week? With an Internet connection and a few keystrokes, you can probably figure out the answer in a matter of minutes, tops. But the flip side, suggests new research in the journal Science, is that when you rely on having information stored somewhere, you may be less likely to remember it yourself. “We are becoming symbiotic with our computer tools, growing into interconnected systems that remember less by knowing information than by knowing where information can be found,” the study authors write. But before you freak out about machines doing all your remembering for you, consider that people have always relied on each other for retrieving information, even before computers. In fact, in any group of two or more people who know each other, there develops what’s called transactive memory systems. That means that you use other people as external memory, because they have specific knowledge and expertise that you don’t. “The internet, when you think about it, is people putting content online. And so what it’s doing is, it’s allowing us to have access to much more external memory. Our network of people is just vastly expanded.,” said Betsy Sparrow, assistant professor of psychology at Columbia University and lead author of the study. In one of Sparrow’s experiments, participants read and typed trivia statements that could be found online, such as “An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.” Participants were told that the statements would be saved to different folders with generic names such as “Facts, etc.” They then had to write down as many of the statements as they remembered and were asked to name the folder in which the information had been saved. Remarkably, people were much better able to recall the folder names of the trivia statements than the trivia itself. In other words, people remembered the “where” better than the “what.” As with people accustomed to looking up their questions on resources such as Wikipedia and Google, participants may have expected information to remain available indefinitely, and so the source of the information stuck with them better than the trivia statements themselves, the study authors said. Another experiment showed that people seem to remember information better if they believe it won’t be accessible later, and more easily forget items that they believe will always be available. “I thought that telling people to try to remember it, even though it would be accessible, would do something. It did absolutely nothing,” Sparrow said. But Sparrow isn’t worried that relying on external memory systems like the Internet is going to cause our brains to atrophy. There might be things that we used to know and forget, but we’ll still hang on to what’s useful on a daily basis, she said. “The stuff that we’re experts in, that we’re the source for other people, is stuff I think we’ll always remember, regardless of whether it’s online or not,” she said.
« Previous entryFoster care for obese kids: Drastic measure, preventable problem
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
Hi! Quick question that's entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird when browsing from my iphone. I'm trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to correct this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share. Many thanks!
https://brivium.com/proxy.php?link=https://payurdealz.com
Source sewage treatment plant
https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?chs=150×150&cht=qr&chl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jlzWBPfSjQ&t?ZLD
An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you should write more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo matter but typically folks don't discuss these topics. To the next! Best wishes!!
http://chancetflp267.yousher.com/this-is-your-brain-on-chuljangmasaji
We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with helpful information to work on. You have performed a formidable job and our whole community will likely be thankful to you.
https://www.sriannamalaiastrology.com/
Hey there, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, awesome blog!
http://www.teknallsnc.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=1738559
http://bookmark-template.com/story7904875/several-types-of-medical-massage
Hi! I could have sworn IÃve been to this website before but after browsing through some of the articles I realized itÃs new to me. Anyhow, IÃm definitely happy I found it and IÃll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
https://listarcher31.bladejournal.com/post/2020/11/20/Exactly-how-Medical-Massage-Can-Profit-The-Health
It’s laborious to seek out knowledgeable people on this subject, but you sound like you understand what you’re speaking about! Thanks
http://wert-tools.ru/user/prisonmeal94/
Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Finding the time and actual effort to produce a superb articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I procrastinate a lot and never manage to get anything done.
http://www.sixfigureclassifieds.com/user/profile/101660
Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your design. Many thanks
http://bigapple.idv.tw/discuz/home.php?mod=space&uid=817136
Definitely, what a great blog and enlightening posts, I definitely will bookmark your website.Have an awsome day!
https://weblib.lib.umt.edu/redirect/proxyselect.php?url=https://paymedealz.com
However, today it is no longer just a luxury for your extremely wealthy.
The process of spinal degeneration may not be a predictable portion of aging.
Research has indicated that nurturing touch enhances the launch of oxytocin, a hormone that induce feeling of nurturing and sensation of trust.
Together with almost everything which appears to be developing throughout this specific area, your points of view are generally quite stimulating. However, I appologize, because I can not give credence to your whole plan, all be it radical none the less. It would seem to me that your remarks are actually not completely validated and in actuality you are generally yourself not even wholly convinced of your argument. In any event I did appreciate looking at it.
https://godotengine.org/qa/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=irantrail6
http://shaboxes.com/author/menusugar00/
Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have developed some nice practices and we are looking to exchange strategies with other folks, why not shoot me an email if interested.
http://www.erasmusworld.com/portal/userinfo.php?uid=740523
http://t.me/s/alcohol_yakutsk
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this post and also the rest of the website is also really good.
http://www.authorstream.com/printfox36/
This really answered my drawback, thank you!
https://2.gp/a8eRS
http://bookmarkbirth.com/story6927771/gambling-establishment-gambling-strategies-in-addition-to-techniques-to-help-win
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I am very glad to see such excellent info being shared freely out there.
https://bit.dev/savecheque57/
https://backforgood.faith/wiki/Just_how_Good_Is_House_Edge_Payouts_For_Tai_Sai
http://doma-iz.ru/user/o5lpidj449
Most of whatever you articulate happens to be supprisingly legitimate and it makes me ponder the reason why I hadn't looked at this with this light previously. This piece truly did switch the light on for me as far as this topic goes. Nonetheless there is actually 1 factor I am not too comfy with and while I make an effort to reconcile that with the central theme of your point, let me observe what the rest of your subscribers have to point out.Well done.
http://www.geati.ifc-camboriu.edu.br/wiki/index.php/Office-Home–Student-2019-Price-lowest-with-for-life-validity-u
http://www.himkabel.ru/?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=96418
Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; we have created some nice procedures and we are looking to trade techniques with other folks, be sure to shoot me an email if interested.
https://www.blackplanet.com/griprice11/message/22983662
Hi there! This article couldnÃt be written much better! Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this. I'll forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. I appreciate you for sharing!
https://hoccattochanoi.com/forum/User-waiterdelete8.html
bookmarked!!, I like your website!
http://www.screensnark.com/forums/member.php?action=profile&uid=3774
https://imoblex.fr/author/b9uetqu882
You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the finest sites online. I most certainly will recommend this blog!
https://forum.nheise.de/member.php?action=profile&uid=40747
very nice publish, i definitely love this website, keep on it
https://cse.google.com.co/url?q=http://payprodeal.com
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
http://www.pearltrees.com/duckline29
I blog frequently and I really thank you for your information. This article has really peaked my interest. I will book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed too.
http://londonchinese.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=193333
Its like you learn my thoughts! You appear to grasp so much approximately this, such as you wrote the guide in it or something. I think that you simply can do with a few to power the message house a little bit, but other than that, that is great blog. A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.
http://atozsrilanka.com/user/profile/170707
When I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
http://pixelscholars.org/engl202-022/members/coastkick6/activity/534447/
I truly love your site.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as IÃm hoping to create my own personal blog and want to know where you got this from or what the theme is called. Kudos!
http://www.cvma-korea.org/MyBB/member.php?action=profile&uid=315628
https://www.misterpoll.com/users/womensyrup208
Unlike the chemical medications which can be routinely used in the united states, the homeopathic remedies
haven't any dangerous side effects. This can help regulate your blood pressure level
and convey it to a normal level. These factors can be a life-changing injury in case your career depends upon your fitness level or becoming on the feet for prolonged periods.
I enjoy looking through a post that will make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
https://pbase.com/topics/easebridge71/on_the_internet_poker_how
What's up colleagues, its fantastic article on the topic of
cultureand completely explained, keep it up all the time.
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful article. Thanks for providing this information.
https://forum.mesign.com/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile;u=338601
Exactly the kind of material that improves the web. Thanks!
https://www.sfweekly.com/sponsored/cbd-dog-treats-cbd-for-pets-the-ultimate-guide-for-pet-owners/
I enjoy you because of every one of your effort on this blog. Betty really likes doing investigation and it is easy to see why. A lot of people hear all relating to the powerful tactic you make reliable things on this website and boost participation from the others on the area of interest then my girl is actually becoming educated so much. Enjoy the rest of the new year. You're carrying out a remarkable job.
http://www.google.ws/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/embed/SLp-APEq8Sk&t
http://3.okushylar-uyi.kz/user/k8zkksr329
http://www.albertoagrusa.it/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=77776
http://www.sicipiscine.it/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=843599
http://www.hongkongchannel.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=343460
I'm curious to find out what blog system you happen to be using? I'm experiencing some minor security problems with my latest site and I would like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any recommendations?
https://www.sriannamalaiastrology.com/
The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not fail me just as much as this one. After all, I know it was my choice to read, however I truly believed you would probably have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something you could possibly fix if you were not too busy searching for attention.
http://opensocialfactory.com/story6078766/find-themselves-thrill-of-this-large-wheel
It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
https://knowyourmeme.com/users/eelknot3/
Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Thank you for providing this info.
https://pastebin.fun/BvI9s94PTS