Memories are more easily accessed, in humans, when contextual information is brought to mind. When making observations that lead to memories, if the context is relevant to the questions that you will attempt to answer in the future, you will not have to artificially call forth the contextual info. The solution is to approach new situations critically.
So, if you explore a neighborhood, before you set out determine what you will look for. For instance, ask yourself: Are architectural features related to the relative affluence of the area at the time of each building’s construction.
Or, in math classes, consider what the lessons build upon and where they may lead.
Consider new situations with conscious consideration of previous knowledge. “Blankness” is not appropriate when approaching an experience in which you have previous expertise. Calling to mind relevant experiences helps to ensure that memories attain relevant associations.
[The solution is to approach new situations critically.]
This is a skill that can be honed in reading rather easily—I became explicitly aware of doing exactly as you’ve described when I began to have to offer up explanations and critiques of scholarly papers whose topics I wasn’t innately familiar with on short notice. And it was just as surprising to my peers when I could come up with quick, cogent answers to complex questions about them on the spot.
Edit: Damnit, I fail at quote tags—is there a list somewhere of the tags the site uses?
Don’t worry about it—there have been many requests about changing that, making it more intuitive (like “markup formatting” vs. “help”) -- I think the upcoming redesign will probably handle this and make it easier for folks.
I would be very grateful if you could elaborate on this, or point to another explanatory resource.
Memories are more easily accessed, in humans, when contextual information is brought to mind. When making observations that lead to memories, if the context is relevant to the questions that you will attempt to answer in the future, you will not have to artificially call forth the contextual info. The solution is to approach new situations critically.
So, if you explore a neighborhood, before you set out determine what you will look for. For instance, ask yourself: Are architectural features related to the relative affluence of the area at the time of each building’s construction.
Or, in math classes, consider what the lessons build upon and where they may lead.
Consider new situations with conscious consideration of previous knowledge. “Blankness” is not appropriate when approaching an experience in which you have previous expertise. Calling to mind relevant experiences helps to ensure that memories attain relevant associations.
[The solution is to approach new situations critically.]
This is a skill that can be honed in reading rather easily—I became explicitly aware of doing exactly as you’ve described when I began to have to offer up explanations and critiques of scholarly papers whose topics I wasn’t innately familiar with on short notice. And it was just as surprising to my peers when I could come up with quick, cogent answers to complex questions about them on the spot.
Edit: Damnit, I fail at quote tags—is there a list somewhere of the tags the site uses?
Like how I quoted you?
If so, click the “Help” link to the bottom right of the text entry box after you clilck “Reply” and you’ll see that it’s the greater-than symbol.
Wow. Yeah. My brain remembers looking for something like that, but I think it’s only attempting to justify its embarrassment. Thanks!
Don’t worry about it—there have been many requests about changing that, making it more intuitive (like “markup formatting” vs. “help”) -- I think the upcoming redesign will probably handle this and make it easier for folks.
So basically, instead of just trying to collect facts, try to organize them in some way?
Try to integrate new facts with old. “Update” your existing knowledge base.