Human Memory

...an under-valued asset!

We take many things for granted…family, friends, the telephone, supermarket, etc….but we are addressing issues, here, beyond the mere likelihood that at some time, we will all experience great difficulty in recalling where we, last, placed our keys…or, even, the name of our closest friend. Good “memory” is needed for much more than matters of specific attempts to “recall”. It is called upon for immeasurable tasks…in our every thought…continuously. We may not feel any, impending, great need to attend to it now (and there are many ways we can protect its future)…but improvement/strengthening, our mental health, will enable each of us to accomplish more…faster, and more effectively.

In most of us, appreciation for our greatest assets seems to “run”, inversely, proportionate to importance! To be fair, as we progress (in our lives), the very fact that we have a readily available convenience, requiring no immediate attention or acknowledgement, allows us to, so effectively, go about our business that it would seem a shame to waste a “moment”, of precious time, thinking about whatever possible “threats” might lie ahead. After all, logic tells us to make use of all that is at our disposal…as it is needed.

But, many times, in one’s life, comes a need to refocus. At such times, what should be given greater priority than one of the very most important human tools in our possession?

Memory Transfer & Storage

From the late 1800's and first part of the 1900's…a time when the very idea of “computers” was unheard of, it was not necessary to place the word “human” before the term: “memory”). The subject was taken up by a branch of medical science called "cognitive psychology". This school of thought addressed internal mental processes like language, problem solving, data processing and general “memory”. It now forms the basis of a new branch, shared, jointly, by both cognitive psychology, and “neuroscience"; and is referred to as "cognitive neuroscience".

The scientists defined “memory” as an organism's ability to store, retain and recall information. They, then, proceeded to focus on scientific study of a (physical, organic) brain’s direct (and less direct) role in interfacing/joining with external influences on cognition…as well as further activity, within the brain. It addresses relationships between recognized “systems” (such as neural circuitry) and (incoming) cognitive “input” (along with “pre-existing”, internal influences and connections).

Our approach, here, is quite different. While not in conflict with scientific approaches, we view this subject from a (primarily) abstract position, rather than a physical one. We look at human memory from a very human, personal and intimately knowledgeable perspective…without focus on the physical brain. Also, as you can see, by our title, we have assigned a task of “transfer” to human memory…before consignment to “storage”. Matters such as “recall”, or “retrieval”, have not, yet, been addressed.

Scientifically, the term, “sensory memory” corresponds to a moment, immediately, following “perception” (about two to five hundred milliseconds). It, immediately, precedes what is referred to as “short term memory”…which most definitions confine to between 2 to 30 seconds. Our term, “transfer”, correlates, roughly, with these…and continues, on, into the areas, of the mind, used for “storage”.

The majority of scientific definitions for “short term memory” have been ascribed to the actual time within which a thought is initially held, prior to transmission/consignment to what is called “long term memory”…an area of memory which stores quantities of information/data, for long duration. “Short-term memory” utilizes methodology associated with phenomena such as “acoustics”, while “long-term memory”, usually, involves such tools as “semantics”…and other systems well adapted to relatively “static”, long persevering/existing, conditions.

There exists, also, a scholastic discipline which addresses a “forgetting curve”…a “chart/tool” for looking at decreases in memory storage/capacity…along a “time-line”. Also, studied are relationships between memory strength, and duration; which can be quantitatively affected by applying such input as “knowledge reinforcement” (usually, a conscious “review” of the specified “lesson”). Generally, people tend to “lose” about half of “new memory” within one to a couple dozen days…in lieu of additional strengthening.

Although memory weakness, loss, and other (apparently) similar conditions are common to Alzheimer’s disease, and seem even more obvious in dementia…varying qualities and quantities, of the symptoms, are common in normal aging. In fact, they can be found in many situations…throughout one’s life.

Memory is used to apply (planned) actions to situations that may lie ahead…in the future. It may (of course), also, enable us to remember things from the past. Abilities, in the area of future application, seem, in many ways, to be “strengths” enjoyed, more commonly, by youth…but not always…often older people can outperform…especially in areas where long experience gives a decided edge. On the other hand, when new or recent rules are interjected into common, familiar situations, the older person may seem to ignore/undervalue such interjection (despite an appearance of “cognizance”. Expecting a very familiar oncoming scenario, they use the moment for a “respite”, “rest” or “review”; rather than waste it on effort dedicated to “downloading” unnecessary information.

. The longer one lives, the more adept one becomes at seizing opportunities to, “rejuvenate/rest/review”…a highly prized skill throughout life…but one which may, in later years (and probably, out of “habit”), distract from “sensitivity” to a presentation of important, new, “rules”. But this phenomenon appears to have a lot in common with the tendency of a child to (seemingly) ignore interjection of rules; due to “perception” of an upcoming situation with which he, too, is quite familiar. In the case of the child, this “perception” may be based on a deeper, more elementary perspective/feeling for a given situation…i.e. a more intimate/relevant and uncluttered “take” on things. Yet, in the eyes of the adult, requesting careful attention to direction, the child is guilty of either “deficit” of attention or “lack of respect” for proper authority. [The child’s “priority” was, probably, to seize time for further, on-going thoughts/actions, rather than for “rest”.] In each of these cases, the greater blame may be placed on either of the participants; however, the individual whose perspective carried the most “weight”, at the time, would be the one “deciding”, just, which person’s behavior was most “appropriate”. A later perception (especially with hindsight), may be quite different.

Health/Strength

Since application of memory covers such a vast territory, focusing on any one area (or, even, many) “pales”; in comparison to, overall (mental) health and strength. Even tiny, barely perceptible, improvement to mental health/well-being “trumps” any other focus of attention!

Introduction to…Mind Power

You may think you were, often, oblivious to the idea of “mind power”…unless and until it was, somehow, made quite “plain” (like this material). But as these “powers” increase, there will, likely, be an even stronger tendency to be unaware of your new strength. That is due to the need for increased diligence, during these unfamiliar moments. As you progress, beyond such “learning” experiences, and your close attention is no longer required, an awareness, of this “stronger” position, will form the “introduction” to a new level of understanding.

We embarked, upon this mission, to share our experience with others…in order that many, of us, with a healthy appreciation and respect for this personal ability, might form a foundation for improved human relations…and the kind of co-operation that will, greatly, benefit us all.

Please consider an application of some of the “techniques” and “disciplines”, offered on these pages:

Next: Mind Power For stronger background in insight: Renew Focus