Goals

1. Describe memory.
2. Excel at remembering useful things.

What?

Memory is the ability to store, recall, and use information.

Memory is an ability of people and of animals.

Examples

• A dog remembers he gets a treat at a store.
  This is associative memory—linking a place with a reward.

• A dog remembers commands.
  This is procedural and associative memory—responding to verbal cues with practiced behavior.

• Person A remembers math facts.
  This is declarative memory—facts and information stored in long-term memory.

• Person B remembers the law well enough to be one of the best lawyers around.
  This is declarative memory—deep, well-organized knowledge that supports problem solving and reasoning.

• Person C remembers how to play countless songs on guitar while also remembering the lyrics.
  This is both procedural memory (for playing) and declarative memory (for lyrics).

• Person D has an excellent golf swing.
  While this is commonly called “muscle memory,” it is actually procedural memory encoded in the brain.
  In many cases, a person cannot explain their procedural knowledge; it is called nondeclarative knowledge, but it is knowledge nevertheless.

The Biological Basis of Memory

Memory is the reactivation of a specific group of neurons, formed from persistent changes in the strength of connections between neurons. —Queensland Brain Institute

This definition says that memory is equivalent to changes in the brain; literally rewiring of the brain.

Practical Definition

Memory is the capacity to store and retrieve information — Source

This definition says that memory is the ability to store information and then to retrieve it.

Don’s Definition

Memory: Memory refers to the brain’s capacity to store information and subsequently retrieve it.

Your brain has the ability to remember, all you have to do is to learn how to make this memory happen. That is, how to “rewire your brain.”

LTM and STM

This section comes from ChatGPT.

Short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) are two main components of our memory system, and they work differently in terms of duration, capacity, and the way information is processed. Here’s an explanation of how each of them works:

Short-Term Memory (STM): 1. Duration: Short-term memory has a limited duration, typically lasting for a few seconds to a minute or two. Information in STM is transient and quickly fades if not rehearsed or transferred to long-term memory. 2. Capacity: STM has a limited capacity and can hold a small amount of information at once, typically around 5-9 items, often referred to as “7 plus or minus 2.” 3. Processing: Information in STM is primarily processed acoustically, meaning it is based on the sound of the information. It involves rehearsal, where you mentally repeat or review the information to keep it in STM. 4. Function: STM is responsible for temporarily holding and manipulating information needed for immediate tasks. For example, when you read a phone number and remember it long enough to dial it, you are using your STM.

Long-Term Memory (LTM): 1. Duration: Long-term memory has a virtually unlimited duration. Information stored in LTM can last for a lifetime, although some memories may fade over time if not reinforced. 2. Capacity: LTM has a vast capacity and can store a large amount of information, including facts, experiences, skills, and more. 3. Processing: Information in LTM is processed semantically, meaning it is based on the meaning and significance of the information. It is encoded in a more complex and meaningful way compared to STM. 4. Function: LTM is responsible for storing information for the long term. It includes various types of memory, such as episodic memory (personal experiences), semantic memory (facts and knowledge), and procedural memory (skills and habits). LTM is where your life’s experiences, learned knowledge, and skills reside.

The process of transferring information from STM to LTM involves encoding, consolidation, and retrieval. When information is repeatedly rehearsed or connected with existing knowledge and experiences, it has a better chance of being transferred from STM to LTM, where it can be accessed and retrieved later when needed.

In summary, short-term memory is a temporary and limited storage system that holds information for brief periods, while long-term memory is a more permanent and vast storage system responsible for retaining a wide range of information over extended periods of time. Both types of memory are essential for our everyday functioning and the accumulation of knowledge and experiences throughout our lives.

How to Remember Anything

Fundamentals

This is the method that I use.

1. Getting: Get the information. As needed, figure it out.

2. Documentation: Write it down in your own words in your documentation system. I recommend using the Obsidian App. The reason for this step is that you can find the information quickly after you have forgotten it. My documentation involves writing lessons and organizing these lesson. That is, you are looking at my documentation system right now.

3. Spaced Repetition: Review the information over and over separating each review session by progressively increasing lengths of time. There are many ways to review the information: teach it, explain it, answer questions, apply it, write is out, use flash cards, summarize it, use Anki flashcards, and so on.

4. Chunking/Organization: On an ongoing basis, find ways to organized the information so that it is easy to remember and apply. There are many methods: cheatsheets, classification, fundamentals and details, images, and so on.

Details

This section was generated by ChatGPT.

Remembering information is a complex process that involves various aspects of brain science, including memory formation, storage, and retrieval. While there is still much to learn about the intricacies of memory, here are some strategies and concepts based on current understanding of brain science that can help you remember information more effectively:

1. Pay attention:
   • The process of memory begins with attention. Your brain needs to focus on the information you want to remember. Minimize distractions and actively engage with the material to improve your chances of remembering it.
2. Encode information:
   • Encoding is the process of converting information into a form that can be stored in your memory. To enhance encoding:
     • Use multiple senses: Engage as many senses as possible (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste) when learning something new. For example, if you’re studying a topic, visualize it, read it out loud, or discuss it with someone.
     • Create associations: Form connections between the new information and existing knowledge. This can make the information more meaningful and easier to remember.
3. Use spaced repetition:
   • The spacing effect is a memory phenomenon where information is better retained when you review it multiple times with increasing intervals between reviews. Tools like flashcards and spaced repetition software can help you implement this technique.
4. Chunk information:
   • Break down complex information into smaller, manageable chunks. Our brains are better at remembering smaller pieces of information rather than large, unorganized sets of data.
5. Visualize and use imagery:
   • Creating mental images or visual representations of the information can make it more memorable. Associating facts with vivid mental images can help improve recall.
6. Teach or explain the material:
   • Explaining what you’ve learned to someone else or teaching it to yourself as if you were the instructor can reinforce your understanding and memory of the material.
7. Sleep and rest:
   • Adequate sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. During deep sleep, your brain processes and strengthens newly acquired information. Make sure to get enough quality sleep to optimize memory retention.
8. Maintain a healthy lifestyle:
   • Regular physical exercise, a balanced diet, and managing stress can all positively impact your brain’s ability to remember information. Physical activity, in particular, has been linked to improved cognitive function.
9. Stay organized:
   • Keep your notes, materials, and information well-organized. The act of organizing can help reinforce memory, and having a structured system makes it easier to review and retrieve information when needed.
10. Practice retrieval:
    • Testing yourself on the material you’re trying to remember is a highly effective way to strengthen memory recall. This practice forces your brain to actively retrieve information, reinforcing the neural connections associated with that knowledge.
11. Use mnemonic devices:
    • Mnemonics are memory aids that can help you remember information through associations, acronyms, or rhymes. Examples include “ROYGBIV” to remember the colors of the rainbow or “PEMDAS” to remember the order of operations in mathematics.
12. Stay curious and engaged:
    • Maintain a genuine interest in the subject matter you’re learning. When you are genuinely curious and engaged, your brain is more likely to retain information because it sees it as relevant and valuable.

Remember that everyone’s brain is unique, and different strategies may work better for different individuals. Experiment with these techniques and adapt them to your personal learning style and needs to improve your memory based on brain science principles.