Contents:
- Medical Video: Rouse Visiting Artist Lecture: Hans Ulrich Obrist
- Releasing the phenomenon digital amnesia
- Influence digital amnesia in memory
- Train and strengthen memory
- 1. Start learning to memorize simple information
- 2. Don't rely on technology
- 3. Use the internet wisely
- 4. "Break" first of all electronic devices
- 5. Live a full healthy lifestyle
Medical Video: Rouse Visiting Artist Lecture: Hans Ulrich Obrist
Do you remember how many numbers handphone (HP) your closest friend? Or the name of a restaurant that people are talking about lately?
You may find it difficult if asked to remember it. However, with the help of today's smart phones, you can immediately get the answers to these questions easily. Just open the contact list on HP to see your friend's phone number and search Google for the name of the restaurant.
In seconds, all answers are available in front of you. Maybe you are thinking, why keep a lot of information in your head if your smart phone can do it.
Even though, before there was smartphone like it or not you have to memorize landline numbers or city bus routes that will take you to a destination.
Releasing the phenomenon digital amnesia
Experts observe the emergence of a phenomenon known as digital amnesia. Digital amnesia is a major change in the behavior and memory of technological literacy, especially the millennial generation.
Digital amnesia occurs when people are too dependent on technological sophistication to remember various kinds of information, ranging from trivial things like the birth date of a partner to a very important and sensitive such as personal data.
Because you feel that all information has been stored in electronic devices or the internet, you no longer need to remember it. Whenever this information is needed, you just have to "pick it up" again from your smart device.
Influence digital amnesia in memory
A study conducted by Harvard and the University of Columbia shows that the ease of accessing information through the internet anytime and anywhere has changed the ability to remember young people in the United States.
Here's the picture: You might forget the title of a movie that you watched before. When you want to tell a friend about the film, you can't remember the title but you remember on the site where you have to find the title of the film. The researchers call this the "Google Effect."
Basically, digital amnesia makes you depend on the Internet as the first place to look for answers to whatever you want to know. You no longer try to remember an event or information from the memory of your brain.
Therefore, any information that you receive can easily be forgotten. The reason is, if you forget later you can look for it again on the internet or on a cellphone. That's why you still remember your home phone number since 10 years ago, because in the past you couldn't help saving it in the brain.
Whereas at this time you might not remember how many telephone numbers of the couple that you contact every day.
Therefore, the brain becomes less trained in processing raw information into a memory, both short and long term. In fact, the process is very important to stimulate the formation of hundreds of thousands of new nerve cell connections in the brain.
Increasingly sharpened, brain function to process long-term memory will decrease. Long-term memory itself is very important for the development of everyone.
Long-term memory shapes the identity of each person. For example, memories of the aroma of Mother's cooking will certainly encourage you to often stay in touch with Mother in between busy activities. Likewise memories of being punished for violating school rules can form a person who obeys the rules.
Train and strengthen memory
Do not let digital amnesia snatching memories that matter most in your life. Therefore, you need to train and sharpen the brain to be able to maintain memory in the midst of increasingly rapid technological developments.
Here are some things you can try to maintain the brain's ability to remember:
1. Start learning to memorize simple information
Try to memorize information that you use everyday or you see. For example favorite song lyrics, vehicle license number, employee's master number, student number, and others.
In order to memorize, you have to repeat the information every day. The brain will be able to process it into long-term memory.
2. Don't rely on technology
When you get lost on the road, occasionally try not to rely on technology. So instead of using GPS when looking for a way, ask people around. After that, memorize the road you are passing.
That way, you can train the brain as an accurate and reliable navigation tool. You can also avoid dangerous risks such as traffic accident due to too much focus on seeing the GPS on the cellphone screen.
3. Use the internet wisely
The internet provides a myriad of benefits when used wisely. So, you must be truly selective in absorbing new information in cyberspace. Don't spend most of your time accessing content that is negative or unimportant.
There are also many applications now smartphone which is intended to train memory while improving brain function. Take advantage of these applications well.
4. "Break" first of all electronic devices
Sometimes gadget indeed helps drive away boredom or bad mood. However, sometimes electronic devices can make you nervous because you feel you should always check your notifications or update latest from other social media users.
So, set a time when you don't use electronic devices at all. Starting from smartphone, tablets, televisions, computers, laptops, to consoles video game. If you have to remember important information at the time break, write it down in a book or memo.
5. Live a full healthy lifestyle
Besides maintaining brain memory and preventing it digital amnesiawith the strategies above, you also have to live a healthy lifestyle as a whole.
This can be achieved by maintaining a balanced diet, seeking ideal weight, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, managing stress, preparing life insurance, build good relationships with people around, and diligently check health to the doctor.
By doing all these things, your brain functions will stay awake. So if you have to remember a variety of complicated information, the brain will not be too overwhelmed again.
