The Science of Forgetting: Why We're Already Losing Our Pandemic Memories and Why Note-Taking Apps Don't Make Us Smarter

The Science of Forgetting: Why We're Already Losing Our Pandemic Memories and Why Note-Taking Apps Don't Make Us Smarter

In the fast-paced modern world, our memories are constantly at risk of fading away. According to cognitive psychology professor Norman Brown, forgetting is the default state of our brains. Our memories go through three phases: encoding, consolidation, and retrieval. When we encounter new information, our brains encode it by making changes in neurons in the hippocampus and other important memory centers. These changes create physical memory traces known as engrams.

However, much of this information is lost unless it goes through the process of memory consolidation, which often occurs during sleep. During consolidation, memories become more stable and long-term. The hippocampus stores an index of where these memory neurons are located for easy retrieval, similar to a Google search. When we retrieve memories, the neurons in the hippocampus and cortex are reactivated.

Our memories are primarily centered around our life stories and the events that personally affected us the most. However, even salient and emotional events can become difficult to capture and remember as we accumulate more life experiences. New memories interfere with older ones, and events that are uniform and similar are harder to recall. This is why our memories from specific years, such as those during the Covid-19 pandemic, may become unclear and hazy over time.

Interestingly, as a society, many people do not want to hold onto their memories of the Covid-19 pandemic. Humans tend to view the future more positively than the past, as the future can be imagined in many ways compared to the fixed nature of the past. Remembering the past is influenced by our current emotions, knowledge, and attitudes. This bias towards the future may impact how we look back on the pandemic and shape our actions moving forward.

While individuals pass down their knowledge and family history to future generations, these communicative memories usually only last for two or three generations. Without cultural artifacts like books, movies, statues, and museums, memories of the pandemic may also fade away and be forgotten by future generations.

In this age of abundant information, note-taking apps have become popular tools for storing and organizing data. However, relying solely on these apps may not make us smarter or more insightful. These apps are designed for storage, not for sparking insights. Journalism, for example, often involves remembering relevant past events, which requires more than just storing information.

AI-powered link databases have the ability to remember everything, but they lack a usable chat interface. However, even with AI tools, it is difficult to trust the summary they provide without reading the relevant documents ourselves. Note-taking does not occur in isolation; it happens alongside various other apps and distractions. Multitasking and constantly switching between apps challenge our ability to build knowledge and make connections.

While a database that can be conversed with may be a promising future tool for note-taking, it is important to remember that software cannot improve our thinking by itself. Thinking is an active pursuit that requires deep focus and contemplation. The process of making connections and forming insights often happens when we spend extended periods of time staring into space, writing, and reflecting.

Note-taking apps may prioritize displaying and manipulating notes, but they often overlook the crucial aspect of making sense between the notes. The goal of note-taking should be effective thinking, not just the act of taking notes. To develop insights over time, we need to establish practices that nurture our thinking abilities and effectively manage our attention.

In conclusion, the science of forgetting reminds us that memories are fragile and easily lost. While note-taking apps can be useful for organizing information, they cannot replace the active pursuit of thinking and making connections. To combat forgetting and enhance our understanding, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

• 1. Prioritize deep focus and contemplation: Set aside dedicated time for thinking without distractions. Staring into space and writing can help facilitate the formation of connections and insights.

• 2. Establish effective thinking practices: Explore different techniques such as mind mapping, reflective writing, and journaling to develop your thinking abilities over time. Experiment with what works best for you.

• 3. Shepherd your attention: Be mindful of how you allocate your attention and avoid multitasking as much as possible. Minimize distractions from technology and create a conducive environment for deep thinking.

By actively engaging in these practices, we can overcome the default state of forgetting and cultivate a sharper and more insightful mind. While memories may naturally fade away, the effort we put into understanding and reflecting on our experiences can leave a lasting impact on our lives and the world around us.