#MemoryCondition In this introduction to our exploration of memory improvement strategies, I discuss the problem of information overload (or "Data Smog"), the motivations for pursuing this topic, the importance of doing a memory self-assessment, an outline for this series and the power of attention. con·di·tion kənˈdiSH(ə)n/ verb, gerund or present participle: conditioning bring (something) into the desired state for use. Our conditioning will be broken into three phases: Registration (learning, capture), retention (processing, storage), recollection (making it useful at the ideal time) Series Motivations - My memory problems - teaching history - Zinn's A Peoples' History of the United States - cultural or social memory problems - SAT tutoring experience - method over memory, rote and repetition - Evernote and GTD: an over-reliance on methods and devices? The keys and obstacles to a strong memory - combining a high level of attention with a controlled distribution of attention - there is no bad memory panacea - there is a clear problem though; it affects us and it will probably affect our children even more: a very widely-distributed low level of attention Self-Assessment - "how good is my memory?" is not the right question - is memory a natural ability or lack thereof? - memory is not uniform, there is a variety of memory tasks - Break your assessment into 4 categories: Knowledge, Events, intentions, actions A list of reliable online memory assessments: University of Washington Short-Term Memory Test MemTrax Memory Test Psychology Today Memory Test Rutgers University Memory Self-Tests (verbal and Visual) Ohio State University Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE) You can use this comprehensive assessment from Douglas Herrmann's book Super Memory. Look Closer: Beyond History and Memory: New Perspectives in Memory Studies - http://www.academia.edu/3700328/Beyond_History_and_Memory_New_Perspectives_in_Memory_Studies Information Fatigue Syndrome - http://paginaspersonales.deusto.es/abaitua/konzeptu/fatiga.htm#Lewis Information overload - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_overload Please Support School Sucks Our Amazon Wish List Donate With Bitcoin Or Join the A/V Club Your continued support keeps the show going and growing, which keeps us at the top of the options for education podcasts and leads to new people discovering this message. This subscription also grants you access to the A/V Club, a bonus content section with 200+ hours of exclusive audio and video. If you are a regular consumer of our media, please consider making a monthly commitment by selecting the best option for you... A/V Club - Basic Access - $8.00/Month AP Club - "Advanced" Access - $12.00/Month Sigma Sigma Pi - Full Access - $16.00/Month