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Our brains are built to forget so anything that's considered unimportant is likely to be forgotten. A perfect example is why we can enjoy the same TV shows many
by WheelsAtLarge 9y ago
Our brains are built to forget so anything that's considered unimportant is likely to be forgotten. A perfect example is why we can enjoy the same TV shows many many times, not just once. With video or film, we are saturated with information, there's no way we can capture everything we see and hear and even what's capture is quickly forgotten since it's mostly unimportant. With books, most of us read books at a very comfortable place and pace. Also, we read at relatively fast pace vs our ability to analyze so we understand but don't send the knowledge to our long-term memory. At best we can give a fast summary of what was read, something like a 300 pg book into a few paragraphs- even if we re-read a book. So, in essence, we read for entertainment, not education or recall.
The only way to fight forgetfulness is to slow down and analyze, summarise and recall. Start thinking in terms of book reports. Another possibility is to read many books on the same subject but even then you have to fight the urge to ignore something because you think you know it.
Reading for education and recall is not a given you have to work at it.