"Overlearning: The Key to Retaining Information and Deleting Social Media"

"Overlearning: The Key to Retaining Information and Deleting Social Media"

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, but there is a growing movement advocating for its deletion. Jaron Lanier, a pioneer in virtual reality and currently working at Microsoft, recently gave a talk at betaworks Studios about his book "Ten Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now." In his book, Lanier presents ten compelling arguments against social media that range from the loss of free will to the destruction of empathy and economic dignity.

One of Lanier's main points is that social media algorithms bring out the worst in us. Outrage and negativity tend to be more profitable than positivity, leading to a toxic online environment. However, Lanier remains optimistic that we can improve social media by deleting accounts en masse, forcing companies to build something better.

While social media may have its downsides, there is another aspect of our lives where overlearning can have a positive impact. Overlearning is a study technique that involves reviewing material beyond the point of full recall. It aims to reach a state of automaticity where information can be effortlessly retrieved from long-term memory.

The concept of overlearning was first introduced by psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus in the 1890s. Ebbinghaus discovered that repeatedly reviewing material long after it has been fully memorized with 100% accuracy leads to better long-term retention and memory. By reintroducing familiar ideas through spaced repetition and flashcards, the information becomes deeply ingrained in the brain.

To incorporate overlearning into your study routine, continue reviewing material you have already mastered. Use techniques like spaced repetition with flashcards, scheduling blocks of time to repeatedly go over information you know well. The goal is to reach a point where the information can be recalled automatically, freeing up your working memory for other tasks.

Overlearning not only improves long-term retention but also leads to persistence of learning over time. By continually reintroducing familiar ideas, you strengthen the neural connections associated with that information, making it easier to recall in the future.

In conclusion, while Jaron Lanier advocates for the deletion of social media accounts, he also highlights the potential for improvement in the digital landscape. Overlearning, on the other hand, offers a powerful method for retaining information and enhancing memory. By incorporating these principles into our lives, we can strive for a healthier relationship with technology and a more effective approach to learning.

Actionable Advice:

1. Consider the arguments presented by Jaron Lanier and evaluate your own relationship with social media. Are there aspects that resonate with you? Deleting social media accounts may lead to a more positive and fulfilling online experience.
2. Implement overlearning techniques in your study routine. Continually review material you have already mastered, using spaced repetition and flashcards. Schedule dedicated time for this practice to ensure the information becomes deeply ingrained in your long-term memory.
3. Seek out alternative platforms and technologies that promote a healthier online environment. Support initiatives that prioritize user well-being and incentivize positive interactions. By actively seeking out these alternatives, you can contribute to the evolution of social media.

Sources:

• Jaron Lanier on why you should delete social media now
• "Overlearning" Can Force Important Information Into Your Longterm Memory