Welcome to Litsy!

Nothing is completely lost, but the memory trace is altered and for good.
As scientists put it, using our memories changes our memories.

If the brain is a learning machine, then it‘s an eccentric one. And it performs best when its quirks are exploited.

The brain is not like a muscle. It's something else altogether, sensitive to mood, to timing, to circadian rhythms, as well as to location, environment. It registers far more than we‘re conscious of and often adds previously unnoticed details when revisiting a memory or learned fact. It works hard at night, during sleep. It has a strong preference for meaning over randomness, and finds nonsense offensive. It doesn‘t take orders so well.

But there‘s something else in there, too, a lower-frequency signal that takes a while to pick up, like a dripping faucet in a downstairs bathroom: doubt.

This book is a must-read for anyone, especially students or parents of students. It does a great job of breaking down how our brains take in information and learn. It is highly accessible and the writer's tone is friendly and highly conversational. #learn #education #advice #selfhelp

At work before 6 on a Monday. These are the mornings audiobooks were made for.

Forgetting is nature‘s spam filter. 😆

This is an engaging, clear, well-written summary of the latest research on learning. This should be a must-read for all students, teachers, and anyone who wants to learn in the most efficient, effective way.

At least the first 1/3 is information that anyone familiar with the basics of learning will know: the difference between storage and retrieval, the importance of spaced repetition, the beginnings of memory-focused research, etc. I just couldn't slog through it anymore waiting for something new.

Don't love audio books but I'm hoping non-fiction will work for me. Suggestions welcome!

TR: I was amazed at the information it contains, and how it was written for ready comprehension. It stands the traditional ideas on learning on end, and the ways to make the most of one's brain fascinating and useful. Also provides a solid basis for the knowledge it provides.