Internal memory cues are patterns of thinking that help trigger a specific memory. For example, mental imagery, which involves visualizing a certain scene happening, can serve as an internal reminder of an event that happened.
External memory cues are objects or events that trigger a memory that they are associated with. For example, a glass of water next to your bed is an external reminder to drink water when you wake up.
Ever since we've had things to remember, we've set reminders. Whether it's the ding of an app or a string tied around your finger, memory devices help offload our need to remember everything all the time. But there's a downside to all those reminders.
We use memory devices to offload our need to remember everything all the time. But these tools have slowly shifted from a source of calm to just another source of interruption.
Reminders give us mental space for more important work. They make sense because we can't remember everything.
They keep our most important priorities top of mind. And studies show how reminders can help us save more money, keep up with medical treatments, and be more charitable.
When the sum total of human knowledge rests an arm's length away in each person's pocket, why do we have to remember anything anymore? On an average day most of us check our smartphones 47 times, and nearly double that if we're between the ages of 18 and 24, which might explain why some of us have such a hard time processing the information we take in to form memories.
We’re no longer weighed down by having to retain trivial data, since all the information we need is one click away, and so we are left with greater cognitive space and with a hard time process...