Why do we forget what we learn, #AcademicTwitter?
A 3 week experiment: You read the same amount every day, but forget some %.
Forget only 30% daily → Loose ~88% of all information after 3 weeks.
😳 🫣 right!?
5% → Still loose 40% 🤬
3 takeaways & a solution in the 🧵
⬇️
A 3 week experiment: You read the same amount every day, but forget some %.
Forget only 30% daily → Loose ~88% of all information after 3 weeks.
😳 🫣 right!?
5% → Still loose 40% 🤬
3 takeaways & a solution in the 🧵
⬇️
1️⃣ The volume of memory is determined by your ability to remember
Look at the top 2 bars in the video. After a few days they reach a maximum.
Forgetting and learning, cancel each other out.
From all I could find out, this case is our average human. 🤷🏼
In more detail:
Look at the top 2 bars in the video. After a few days they reach a maximum.
Forgetting and learning, cancel each other out.
From all I could find out, this case is our average human. 🤷🏼
In more detail:
2️⃣ Remembering just a bit more, can pay off immensely
Compare the last two bars in the video. Going from remembering 85% to 95% every day (or forgetting 15% and 5% respectively), more than DOUBLES what you can learn after 21 days.
These are compounding effects.
Compare the last two bars in the video. Going from remembering 85% to 95% every day (or forgetting 15% and 5% respectively), more than DOUBLES what you can learn after 21 days.
These are compounding effects.
3️⃣ No matter how good your memory, you will forget most things.
Here is a hypothetical case of remembering 99% of things every day and forgetting just 1%.
Over a year this 1% slowly eats up what you remember.
So don't beat yourself up - forgetting is normal!
Here is a hypothetical case of remembering 99% of things every day and forgetting just 1%.
Over a year this 1% slowly eats up what you remember.
So don't beat yourself up - forgetting is normal!
I understand that none of this is based in biological experiments. It's a simple mathematical model. We are just trying to visualise these huge compounding effects.
☝️ But: Especially as a scientist forgetting that many things is clearly undesirable.
Here is what you can do:
☝️ But: Especially as a scientist forgetting that many things is clearly undesirable.
Here is what you can do:
The solution has been developed in Mesopotamia millennia ago:
📝 Make Notes
Used well a system of notes (or #PKM) can easily make you remember twice as much, given the explanations above.
For research here is a system you can use
buff.ly/3j8bl3d
📝 Make Notes
Used well a system of notes (or #PKM) can easily make you remember twice as much, given the explanations above.
For research here is a system you can use
buff.ly/3j8bl3d
If you liked this post, let's be friends 🤝 on Twitter, or join my newsletter 📩 (Link in Bio).
I am an expert using @obsdmd and am building the most powerful, yet simple academic note taking system.
A huge thank you to the fine folks that support creators with a retweet ♻️
I am an expert using @obsdmd and am building the most powerful, yet simple academic note taking system.
A huge thank you to the fine folks that support creators with a retweet ♻️
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