Reading
questions for this article:
1.
How
does the brain's ability to forget specific details while retaining the bigger
picture contribute to adaptability?
2.
In
today's information-rich society, what type of information does the article
suggest our brains no longer need to store?
The
study challenges the notion that a perfect memory is essential for intelligence.
Forgetting things is not a weakness but rather a sign of intelligence.
According to the researchers, the main purpose of memory is to enhance
intelligent decision-making by retaining important information while letting go
of irrelevant details.
Researchers
Paul Frankland and Blake Richards from the University of Toronto, suggests that
forgetting things is not only normal but can actually make us smarter. The
researchers propose that the primary goal of memory is not to retain the most
accurate information over time, but rather to enhance intelligent
decision-making by holding onto important information and letting go of
irrelevant details.
The
article suggests that, in today's information-rich society, our brains don't
need to store certain types of information, such as phone numbers and easily
searchable facts, thanks to the availability of technology like smartphones and
search engines. This frees up our brain's capacity to focus on storing memories
that are more relevant and meaningful for decision-making.