Has anyone gone through a period of time where their memories and concept of time has been really off. Sometimes it feels like my memory for things is really off but it is so subtle that I don't notice it. The other part of this that when I read something (even the newspaper) I don't retain what I'm reading. I'll read through an article and not have the gist of what was written. I can go back but all I see are details rather than how it makes up a cohesive whole. I think that I may have problems with abstract thinking. Has anyone had issues like this and if so how do you navigate around this? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. By the way I am in my late twenties so Alzheimer's disease is very unlikely.
posted by anonymous
on Nov 25, 2012 -
10 answers
I am about to embark on a massive technical book reading escapade. Please share your information retention methods.
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posted by Sentus
on Mar 1, 2011 -
7 answers
You're probably all familiar with this: you spend a couple of hours burning through pile of Google Reader/Read It Later/Instapaper items, and everything seems to clear and informational and your attention level is high and you get all those great ideas and... and it stays in your head for two days.
Do you know any good tools or habits I can use to improve retention of what I read? Do you keep a journal? Make notes? Write down short abstracts of more interesting articles? Periodically re-read some stuff?
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posted by desultory_banyan
on Jan 5, 2011 -
21 answers
I'm trying to find a short sci-fi story I read over 10 years ago that I barely remember. It may have involved some or all of the following: bicycle repair, ripe banana smelling bacteria used as deodorant and anti-libido medication.
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posted by jrishel
on Nov 19, 2009 -
7 answers
I'm strugging to come to terms with the fact that I've read such a seemingly extraordinary number of books yet seem to remember so very little. The obvious answer is to apply oneself more rigidly, in future, to study; to take notes and review them, etc. However, I really don't feel like writing extensive plot summaries every time I read a book, neither does this help me deal with the very distressing realisation that I don't know as much as I should do.
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posted by Zé Pequeno
on Jun 5, 2008 -
22 answers
What do you retain and gain from casual reading? I was just looking over my mostly non-fiction bookshelf and a few questions came over me. Of all the hours I have spent reading all of this, how much have I really retained? I look back on books I have read and can remember the premise and theme, but as far as recalling all or even some of the many arguments, anecdotes, etc. included within the book, I don't have a clue. Do I have a incredibly bad 'reading' memory or is this a common occurence. And what am I really gaining from all of these hours spent reading if I have a scant recollection of it all? Am I being entertained in the moment? Becoming subconsiously wiser? Most of what I have read about
intelligent reading seems too rigourous for a lazy sunday afternoon in the hammock. How can I remember what I read and extract the most value?
posted by jasondigitized
on Dec 4, 2005 -
21 answers
Is there any disadvantage in terms of long-term retention of information when studying off of a computer display, as opposed to studying from notes on paper?
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posted by Brian James
on Oct 27, 2005 -
18 answers
