Poll

5 votes (41.66%)
7 votes (58.33%)

12 members have voted

AZDuffman
AZDuffman
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December 20th, 2010 at 5:47:26 PM permalink
Saw this thing on "60 Mintues" last night about people who can remember every day of their lives as if it was yesterday. I can do a little of this and it drives people like my dad crazy. But these people can do it as savants. For example, someone (usually my dad or he is around) asks "when did we buy the dishwasher?" and I narrow it down to year by knowing what else was going on then as where I lived, etc. Like I said, it drives him crazy. But these people could do it for anything, anytime. I noticed they used the same thought process of "what else happened" to get to what they needed to know.

But watching it I said I thought it would drive people insane. Some of it drives me crazy on when I remember too much useless stuff. And who doesn't want to remember a bad day?

Anyone else have an opinion?
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rdw4potus
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December 20th, 2010 at 6:46:27 PM permalink
I also do pretty well with remembering things using this method. Not down to the day, but year or maybe month. I selected insanity in the poll, because it really does drive me nuts in some cases. But it's also pretty useful. For example, I'm the guy in the office who remembers what we did, when, why, and what the outcome was. Kind of a nice way to get job security, I guess.
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FleaStiff
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December 20th, 2010 at 6:56:00 PM permalink
Oxytocin levels may play a role. Probably multiple causes.
There is an evolutionary advantage to forgetting. Do you really want to remember every face you saw on the subway this morning? Well, spies, detectives and criminals probably do. Others don't. A male bird singing a courting song is actually displaying his memory for a very complex tune... advertising to females that he will be a good father by remembering good versus bad tasting insects, etc. Memory has evolutionary advantages ... but extreme memory skills may be difficult.

Often social interactions teach children the concept of forgetting.

I hope that researcher asks his subjects about pets. I bet cat lovers are well represented.
Wizard
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Wizard
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December 20th, 2010 at 7:11:59 PM permalink
I have a horrible memory. For example, of my two cars, I can never keep straight which has the gas intake on the right side, and which is on the left.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
SOOPOO
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December 20th, 2010 at 7:21:47 PM permalink
What did I have for lunch today?
DJTeddyBear
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December 20th, 2010 at 7:45:57 PM permalink
I too have a bad memory, but if I remember it, I can generally remember when it happened by thinking about what else happened around that time. It's a very common technique.

Years ago, I checked out a memory course. I didn't go any further than the introductory class, but the key to the entire program was to associate seemingly dissimilar things.



Quote: Wizard

I have a horrible memory. For example, of my two cars, I can never keep straight which has the gas intake on the right side, and which is on the left.

Check the gas gauge graphics. On many cars, next to the gas pump icon, there's a little arrow to indicate which side it's on.
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rxwine
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December 20th, 2010 at 8:57:03 PM permalink
Quote: FleaStiff

Oxytocin levels may play a role. Probably multiple causes.
There is an evolutionary advantage to forgetting. Do you really want to remember every face you saw on the subway this morning? Well, spies, detectives and criminals probably do. Others don't.



Saw the show. The MRIs they did confirmed brain changes in two areas of the brains of these people. I'D say what, but I ALREADY FORGOT~! Although I believe brain size of one area was as much as 7 standard deviations. Part of the brain involved also seems to an area associated with obsessive compulsive disorders.
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
FleaStiff
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December 21st, 2010 at 3:57:40 AM permalink
Quote: rxwine

Saw the show. The MRIs they did confirmed brain changes in two areas of the brains of these people. I'D say what, but I ALREADY FORGOT~! Although I believe brain size of one area was as much as 7 standard deviations. Part of the brain involved also seems to an area associated with obsessive compulsive disorders.

Amygdala and caudate nucleus perhaps?
But are the areas of the brain larger because they get used more or do they get used more because they are larger?
dm
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December 21st, 2010 at 10:00:46 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I have a horrible memory. For example, of my two cars, I can never keep straight which has the gas intake on the right side, and which is on the left.




The drivers side is closest to the driver and easiest to park, so never buy a car that doesn't conform to that. Do you happen to remember on which side the Highl.........If your passenger does the duty you have to do more figuring.
odiousgambit
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December 21st, 2010 at 10:16:58 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I have a horrible memory. For example, of my two cars, I can never keep straight which has the gas intake on the right side, and which is on the left.



also, look for an indicator on the gauge. More and more cars have that now.
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Ayecarumba
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December 21st, 2010 at 5:25:11 PM permalink
Quote: dm

The drivers side is closest to the driver and easiest to park, so never buy a car that doesn't conform to that. Do you happen to remember on which side the Highl.........If your passenger does the duty you have to do more figuring.



Actually, if everyone is buying driver side inlet models (like Toyota's), it would be more efficient to buy a different car that has a passenger side inlet. It will save you time at the gas station since the line for passenger side inlets will be shorter. Many folks will wait longer instead of pulling the hose over their car.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
Ayecarumba
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December 21st, 2010 at 5:29:14 PM permalink
Quote: AZDuffman

these people can do it as savants.



Not that I would want to be Rainman's savant brother, but Rainman did okay playing blackjack in the movie.

Who wouldn't want the ability to keep a perfect count of a six deck shoe?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
AZDuffman
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December 21st, 2010 at 6:20:40 PM permalink
Quote: Ayecarumba

Not that I would want to be Rainman's savant brother, but Rainman did okay playing blackjack in the movie.

Who wouldn't want the ability to keep a perfect count of a six deck shoe?



I'd rather be able to influence dice. They are barefoot in more and more BJ tables these days.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
Nareed
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December 21st, 2010 at 8:23:38 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I have a horrible memory. For example, of my two cars, I can never keep straight which has the gas intake on the right side, and which is on the left.



I'm like that. I can't recall which light switch turns on which light in the office store-room, for example. I wind up turning lights on and off (there are two switches and two lamps). I also get lost in familiar places because I can't remember where to turn left or right. Not to mention that I confuse left and right often <sigh>
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