The Power of Inspiration and the Decay of Memory: How Learning Happens and How We Lose Interest

Kazuki

Hatched by Kazuki

Aug 05, 2023

4 min read

0

The Power of Inspiration and the Decay of Memory: How Learning Happens and How We Lose Interest

Inspiration and curiosity are at the heart of the learning process. When we are inspired, we are motivated to seek out knowledge and ideas, and these inspirations act as the glue that makes what we learn stick. However, sustained learning in Survival Mode, driven by fear and the need to survive in academic settings like school, can lead to resentment and a lack of enjoyment in the learning process. To truly foster a love of learning, we need to find alternative ways to inspire people.

Enjoyable learning begins with inspiration. It is a uniquely human experience that transcends mere survival. When we are inspired, we are moved by a desire to learn and grow, rather than being motivated solely by external pressures. The more we learn, the more we want to learn, and the pursuit of knowledge becomes a lifelong journey. This kind of inspiration cannot be easily defined or explained, but it is what drives individuals to relentlessly pursue their interests and passions.

In the realm of education, there has been a tendency to shy away from entertainment, fearing that it will only lead to amusement rather than true learning. However, storytelling has proven to be one of the most effective tools for inspiring people at scale. A popular documentary, for example, can spark more interest in a subject than any textbook ever could. Attitudes and passions are not taught, they are caught. Just as a good writer takes responsibility for making their ideas clear, a good teacher takes responsibility for inspiring their students.

Context is key in making ideas stick. Even the most complex subjects, like physics, need to be made relevant and relatable through stories, metaphors, and examples. It is not about the technicalities of grammar or punctuation, but about connecting with readers and respecting their intelligence. Starting with something catchy and engaging is crucial to avoid falling into the trap of Survival Mode, where learning becomes a chore rather than a pleasure.

On the other end of the spectrum, we have the decay of memory. In a world where a person only truly dies when they are forgotten, the importance of shared attention and collective memory cannot be overstated. The choices we make about what to remember and commemorate shape our identity as individuals and as a society. Recent studies have shown that the decay of collective memory follows a mathematical law, with an initial steep decline followed by a slower, gentler slope.

Using attention as a proxy for memory, researchers analyzed online views of Wikipedia profiles, citations of academic papers, and online play counts of songs and film trailers. They found that the initial decline in attention was driven by word-of-mouth transfer of information, while the slower decline relied more on cultural memory sustained by physical recordings. Music showed the shortest and sharpest initial decline, while the biographies of sports stars showed the longest.

This decay of memory, as described by a biexponential function, can be compared to the poetic words of Pablo Neruda: "Love is so short, forgetting is so long." Our collective memory fades quickly, but forgetting takes much longer. The accessibility and searchability of recorded information play a crucial role in sustaining cultural memory and preventing the loss of knowledge and ideas.

In conclusion, inspiration and curiosity are the driving forces behind the learning process. To foster a love of learning, we need to find ways to inspire individuals and move away from the fear-based Survival Mode often found in traditional education systems. Storytelling and entertainment can be powerful tools for inspiring people at scale. Additionally, the decay of memory is a natural process, but the accessibility and searchability of recorded information can help sustain collective memory. To ensure the preservation of knowledge and ideas, we must make deliberate choices about what we remember and commemorate.

Three actionable pieces of advice:

  • 1. Embrace storytelling and entertainment in education to inspire learners and make ideas stick.
  • 2. Make learning relevant and relatable by providing context through stories, metaphors, and examples.
  • 3. Take responsibility for inspiring others, whether as a writer, teacher, or individual, by creating engaging and catchy content that sparks curiosity and a desire to learn.

By understanding the power of inspiration and the decay of memory, we can create a learning environment that fosters a love of knowledge and ensures the preservation of ideas for future generations.

Hatch New Ideas with Glasp AI 🐣

Glasp AI allows you to hatch new ideas based on your curated content. Let's curate and create with Glasp AI :)