Great Polymath Project | How Memory Works | Day 6

 

When you let your mind wander, you switch back and forth all the time, remembering and imagining. Your mind is a time machine.

 Through this blog, I will be sharing my daily experiences and insights as I embark on this journey to become a polymath. I will be exploring a diverse range of topics, from science and technology to art and literature, and sharing my thoughts and observations along the way.

The Polymath Project

How Mind Works:

 

Netflix and Chill

The phrase “Netflix and chill” 

• originated in 2009 
• initially meant exactly what it said: to watch Netflix and relax. 
• 2015 onward
• new meaning gained universal popularity
• companies even used it as a marketing tool
• "Netflix and chill" phenomenon 
• began as a casual way for people to relax and unwind with movies and TV shows. 
• Netflix has expanded its library 
• to include a wealth of educational and 
• informative content in the form of documentaries
• documentaries 
• cover a wide range of topics, 
• from science and history 
• to society and culture

 Personally, I try to limit my time on Netflix, but I recently stumbled upon the fascinating documentary series "The Mind Explained," which delves into the complexities of the human mind and behavior. It's amazing how Netflix has evolved to offer such diverse and thought-provoking content for its viewers.

Here's a quick summary of the documentary "The Mind, Explained Season 1"

Summary of documentary:

#1: Fallibility of Memories

• Memories are often perceived as perfect recordings of important moments
• but they are actually prone to inaccuracies and distortions.
• Example: 
• People's memories of the 9/11 terrorist attacks are often flawed, with details changing or becoming inaccurate over time
• Real Scenario: 
• A person recalling a vivid memory of witnessing the Twin Towers collapsing, 
• but later realizing that their recollection was influenced by media coverage 
• and not their actual experience.

#2: Unreliable Nature of Memories

• Memories can be unreliable, and even significant events can be remembered with a lack of precision.
• Memories are not static recordings but instead undergo changes and reconstruction over time.
• Henry Molaison's case 
• demonstrates that brain surgery can result in severe memory loss
• highlighting the constructive nature of memory

#3: Memory Competitions and Memorization Techniques

• Memory competitions and techniques 
• used by memory athletes shed light on the potential of human memory.
• Example
• Yanjaa Wintersoul, a memory grand master
• showcases extraordinary memorization abilities 
• by memorizing decks of cards or thousands of digits
• where she associates information with specific locations in an imaginary building.

 

#4: Implicit and Explicit Memory

• Different types of memory exist
• implicit and explicit memory.
• Implicit memories
• unconscious 
• involve skills, habits, and non-conscious behaviors.
• Explicit memories 
• conscious 
• include facts, events, and personal experiences.
• Example
• Henry Molaison's ability to ride a bike 
• despite his severe memory loss 
• demonstrates the presence of implicit memory.

 

#5: Episodic Memory and Semantic Memory

• Episodic memory
• recollection of personal experiences
• Semantic memory 
• involves factual knowledge.
• Henry Molaison experienced 
• significant damage to his episodic memory 
• but retained his semantic memory.
• Example
• Henry correctly answering questions about historical events demonstrates his intact semantic memory.
• Memory plays a fundamental role in our lives and mediates our interactions with the world.
• Memory enables us 
• to navigate and recognize our surroundings, 
• recall past events, and 
• engage in meaningful conversations.
• Example
• Henry Molaison's struggles with memory loss affected 
• his ability to navigate his own house and 
• recognize familiar individuals.