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This is awesome. My wife is a PhD in Applied Cognition with a dissertation on working memory and attention (including improvement in games and activities). She

by basseq 11y ago

This is awesome. My wife is a PhD in Applied Cognition with a dissertation on working memory and attention (including improvement in games and activities). She similarly hates Lumosity. (If you ever want an independent review or consultation of your science, I'll put you in touch.)

lettergram 11y ago
Thanks! I may reach out in the future, we could always use feedback :)
geoelectric 11y ago
Out of curiosity, aside from the normal advice re: sleep, diet, exercise, etc., is there an everyday/attainable activity she doesn't hate for working memory and attention?
- basseq 11y ago
  It comes down to five things (in general; not specific to WM & attention, but inclusive of): 1. Diet - Eat reasonably well. 2. Physical Exercise - Can be as simple as walking around the neighborhood; just stay active. 3. Stress Relief - Stress wears you down; get zen when you can. 4. Socialization - Just being around other people helps you stay sharp. 5. Brain Exercise - Different and varied challenges. Crosswords, puzzles, board games, etc. all help. Something that's complex and engages your long-term planning engine is great: she likes strategy games (like Starcraft or Age of Empires). Basically, find ways to put your brain to work. And like physical exercise, variance is key. The problem with Lumosity and #5 is that any "improvement" you see isn't improvement in mental acuity, but efficiencies in repetition.
  - geoelectric 11y ago
    That's great feedback, thanks. You articulate my concern well in the last sentence. I actually do a ton of word puzzles, board games, and video games, but sometimes I wonder if I'm doing much more than building vocabulary and a little hand/eye, along with whatever specifics apply to that puzzle/game. I should probably try to develop more patience with strategy games, since the "planning" part is probably key there. Thanks again!

by basseq 11y ago

lettergram 11y ago

Thanks! I may reach out in the future, we could always use feedback :)

geoelectric 11y ago

Out of curiosity, aside from the normal advice re: sleep, diet, exercise, etc., is there an everyday/attainable activity she doesn't hate for working memory and attention?

basseq 11y ago
It comes down to five things (in general; not specific to WM & attention, but inclusive of): 1. Diet - Eat reasonably well. 2. Physical Exercise - Can be as simple as walking around the neighborhood; just stay active. 3. Stress Relief - Stress wears you down; get zen when you can. 4. Socialization - Just being around other people helps you stay sharp. 5. Brain Exercise - Different and varied challenges. Crosswords, puzzles, board games, etc. all help. Something that's complex and engages your long-term planning engine is great: she likes strategy games (like Starcraft or Age of Empires). Basically, find ways to put your brain to work. And like physical exercise, variance is key. The problem with Lumosity and #5 is that any "improvement" you see isn't improvement in mental acuity, but efficiencies in repetition.
- geoelectric 11y ago
  That's great feedback, thanks. You articulate my concern well in the last sentence. I actually do a ton of word puzzles, board games, and video games, but sometimes I wonder if I'm doing much more than building vocabulary and a little hand/eye, along with whatever specifics apply to that puzzle/game. I should probably try to develop more patience with strategy games, since the "planning" part is probably key there. Thanks again!