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A bad memory can be creative

Started by Dave, March 14, 2017, 08:41:29 AM

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Dave

This idea has just come to me.

I find it difficult to retain some things, like the meanings of some words, formulae, the laws of physics etc and this has been something of a drag on my intellectual development in life. It's not an old age thing (though that does not help) but, in intellectual areas, has lasted all my life.

So, very often, I have to review, revise or relearn the same things over and again. My idea is that this "renewal" process means that I often look at things afresh, in different contexts, and spot different facets or aspects each time. Of course, 99% of the time research indicates the idea has been found before but it is new to me in this instance.

Just have to hope that one day, I will have the Answer to Life, the Universe and Everything but, more importantly, spot it and have the courage and means to implement it!

;)
Tomorrow is precious, don't ruin it by fouling up today.
Passed Monday 10th Dec 2018 age 74

joeactor

I can relate. My memory has never been stellar. I'm astounded when people can pull dates and event timelines from their life as if it just happened. I'd have trouble remembering what I ate for breakfast if it wasn't the same thing every day!

Still, I compensate by keeping lots of notes. It does help in the creative process. But many I never revisit or take action on.

I do wish I was better at memorizing. Doing a full stage play was always hard. Maybe that's why I do voice work. No memorization!

xSilverPhinx

I was just thinking about this, and it seems to me that sometimes even though you don't consciously recall something, it could be that there is subconscious processing of accumulated experience going on in the mental background which births an idea, creative solution or insight when you least expect it.

I don't know how creativity works but I think that since some memories tend to lose detail over time and become more abstract, you are better able to apply their content and learnings to other areas more easily. If they were contextually precise that might not be so easy.

(This is pure speculation!)   
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


Dave

#3
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on October 09, 2017, 11:43:24 PM
I was just thinking about this, and it seems to me that sometimes even though you don't consciously recall something, it could be that there is subconscious processing of accumulated experience going on in the mental background which births an idea, creative solution or insight when you least expect it.

I don't know how creativity works but I think that since some memories tend to lose detail over time and become more abstract, you are better able to apply their content and learnings to other areas more easily. If they were contextually precise that might not be so easy.

(This is pure speculation!)   

I like your thinking, Silver! It just occured to me that my memory is a bit like my junk box (but there us nit such thing as junk!). A bix gull of bits of this and that which just need repurposing. I used to love a series on TV where a couple of weird guys (think little skinny hairy, bearded one plus huge, fat, bald biker) make all kinds of great dtuff out of bits of other things - like the "Soap Dragon" that blew clouds of bubbles (do you have "The Clangers" over there?)

Perhaps this is where the "creativity" bit comes in, repurposing bIts of, or even whole, ideas. It is rarely that true invention occurs, most "innovation" consists of assembling existing things, theories or concepts in a new shape IMO.

The cluttered mind can be a useful resource!

The combination of the cluttered and incisive minds, the Jack-of-all-trades assistant/tech + specialist, practical + intellectual, can be potent.
Tomorrow is precious, don't ruin it by fouling up today.
Passed Monday 10th Dec 2018 age 74

Bad Penny II

Quote from: xSilverPhinx on October 09, 2017, 11:43:24 PM
I was just thinking about this, and it seems to me that sometimes even though you don't consciously recall something, it could be that there is subconscious processing of accumulated experience going on in the mental background which births an idea, creative solution or insight when you least expect it.

I'm not sure about this.
I'll have to sleep on it.
Take my advice, don't listen to me.

xSilverPhinx

Quote from: Bad Penny II on October 10, 2017, 10:12:06 AM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on October 09, 2017, 11:43:24 PM
I was just thinking about this, and it seems to me that sometimes even though you don't consciously recall something, it could be that there is subconscious processing of accumulated experience going on in the mental background which births an idea, creative solution or insight when you least expect it.

I'm not sure about this.
I'll have to sleep on it.

Well? :grin: You're a creative guy, what do you think?
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


xSilverPhinx

Quote from: Dave on October 10, 2017, 08:54:55 AM
The combination of the cluttered and incisive minds, the Jack-of-all-trades assistant/tech + specialist, practical + intellectual, can be potent.

I like your new Jack-of-all-trades avatar, Dave!  8)
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


hermes2015

Quote from: xSilverPhinx on October 12, 2017, 01:21:54 AM
Quote from: Dave on October 10, 2017, 08:54:55 AM
The combination of the cluttered and incisive minds, the Jack-of-all-trades assistant/tech + specialist, practical + intellectual, can be potent.

I like your new Jack-of-all-trades avatar, Dave!  8)

Me too, Dave, you are such a card.
"Eventually everything connects - people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se."
― Charles Eames

Dave

Quote from: hermes2015 on October 12, 2017, 05:06:52 AM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on October 12, 2017, 01:21:54 AM
Quote from: Dave on October 10, 2017, 08:54:55 AM
The combination of the cluttered and incisive minds, the Jack-of-all-trades assistant/tech + specialist, practical + intellectual, can be potent.

I like your new Jack-of-all-trades avatar, Dave!  8)

Me too, Dave, you are such a card.

Thanks, folks, but the guitar playing (in 1968) was a bit of a failure! Can't have every can we?
Tomorrow is precious, don't ruin it by fouling up today.
Passed Monday 10th Dec 2018 age 74

hermes2015

I have a terrible, embarrassingly bad, memory for names. About 2 minutes after an introduction, the person's name has already evaporated from my brain. On the other hand, when I learn new software with all its shortcuts and commands, I just have to see something once and I never forget it. I never get confused when I switch between all the different applications I like to use. The same applied when I was studying chemistry - never had any problem remembering quite complex reaction sequences. Does this show that I am not really interested in people?
"Eventually everything connects - people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se."
― Charles Eames

Dave

Quote from: hermes2015 on October 12, 2017, 07:28:10 AM
I have a terrible, embarrassingly bad, memory for names. About 2 minutes after an introduction, the person's name has already evaporated from my brain. On the other hand, when I learn new software with all its shortcuts and commands, I just have to see something once and I never forget it. I never get confused when I switch between all the different applications I like to use. The same applied when I was studying chemistry - never had any problem remembering quite complex reaction sequences. Does this show that I am not really interested in people?

I think I have it worse than you, Hermes! Mine extends from personal names to objects, formulae etc etc. I had to rely a lot on mnemomics in training! I still a have slight dyslexia for almost synonyms, like "hotel" and "hospital"(both large buildings with lots of beds.)

I found this of interest and it might tickle Silver's antennae as well. ;)
Tomorrow is precious, don't ruin it by fouling up today.
Passed Monday 10th Dec 2018 age 74

hermes2015

Quote from: Dave on October 12, 2017, 07:38:11 AM
Quote from: hermes2015 on October 12, 2017, 07:28:10 AM
I have a terrible, embarrassingly bad, memory for names. About 2 minutes after an introduction, the person's name has already evaporated from my brain. On the other hand, when I learn new software with all its shortcuts and commands, I just have to see something once and I never forget it. I never get confused when I switch between all the different applications I like to use. The same applied when I was studying chemistry - never had any problem remembering quite complex reaction sequences. Does this show that I am not really interested in people?

I think I have it worse than you, Hermes! Mine extends from personal names to objects, formulae etc etc. I had to rely a lot on mnemomics in training! I still a have slight dyslexia for almost synonyms, like "hotel" and "hospital"(both large buildings with lots of beds.)

I found this of interest and it might tickle Silver's antennae as well. ;)

Thanks, that is an interesting entry. Only some parts of it apply to me, in that I am usually very articulate and easily find the right words to use on the fly in a conversation. It's my problem with people's names that is embarrassing. A friend says it shows I have a disdain for humans.
"Eventually everything connects - people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se."
― Charles Eames

Tank

Quote from: hermes2015 on October 12, 2017, 07:28:10 AM
I have a terrible, embarrassingly bad, memory for names. About 2 minutes after an introduction, the person's name has already evaporated from my brain. On the other hand, when I learn new software with all its shortcuts and commands, I just have to see something once and I never forget it. I never get confused when I switch between all the different applications I like to use. The same applied when I was studying chemistry - never had any problem remembering quite complex reaction sequences. Does this show that I am not really interested in people?
You are not alone! There is a person who has a worse memory for names than I do. But I can't remember his name!
If religions were TV channels atheism is turning the TV off.
"Religion is a culture of faith; science is a culture of doubt." ― Richard P. Feynman
'It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it's called Life.' - Terry Pratchett
Remember, your inability to grasp science is not a valid argument against it.

hermes2015

Quote from: Tank on October 12, 2017, 07:53:25 AM
Quote from: hermes2015 on October 12, 2017, 07:28:10 AM
I have a terrible, embarrassingly bad, memory for names. About 2 minutes after an introduction, the person's name has already evaporated from my brain. On the other hand, when I learn new software with all its shortcuts and commands, I just have to see something once and I never forget it. I never get confused when I switch between all the different applications I like to use. The same applied when I was studying chemistry - never had any problem remembering quite complex reaction sequences. Does this show that I am not really interested in people?
You are not alone! There is a person who has a worse memory for names than I do. But I can't remember his name!

:lol:
"Eventually everything connects - people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se."
― Charles Eames

Dave

I seem to have a 3D memory, I remember shapes well. I can think in 3D, mentally "see" every detail of the structure of the large test rig I designed and built over 20 years ago.

I can even erect flatpack furniture without instructions! But that is as much visualisation as memory of previous, similar tasks,
Tomorrow is precious, don't ruin it by fouling up today.
Passed Monday 10th Dec 2018 age 74