7 ms·

I've taken a medication that occasionally makes me feel stupid. For a day I might be unable to continue reading a book without re-reading each sentence a few ti

by x220 7y ago

I've taken a medication that occasionally makes me feel stupid. For a day I might be unable to continue reading a book without re-reading each sentence a few times. I might not be able to talk to people about a complicated or technical subject without stumbling over my words. I will find it difficult to think in the abstract terms, and when I listen to others who talk about abstract values and concepts I have to continually relate it back to a concrete example otherwise I'm lost. My IQ is normally between 140-155. When I go through these brain-fog days I estimate it's at around 90. It feels terrible. When I first experienced it, I was terrified that it would be permanent because that would keep me from doing my job and keeping up with my interests and hobbies. Now I only get this brain-fog every so often. I think it helps me communicate with people better and has helped me learn patience. I finally understand how some people might be genuinely, earnestly trying to understand what I'm trying to say or teach, but can't understand it because I'm communicating it at the right level of analysis. If you're intellectually gifted (many programmers are), you shouldn't take that for granted. You got lucky, and if you weren't lucky enough to be intelligent, it might have been impossible to do the same kind of work you do today. Please appreciate that.

failrate 7y ago
The sad reality is that cognitive decline over age is more likely than not. I have prebuilt a set of habits that I hope will serve me for when I need to rely on them to get me through the day.
- saganus 7y ago
  Interesting. What kind of habits?
  - failrate 7y ago
    Glasses and ID together. Car keys on top of work items like laptop and badge. White board next to front door with dates and reminders and mail to drop off. Arrange things like you would for a Sims character.
    - saganus 7y ago
      Oh... yeah, those make sense. I already do a lot of those things so that I can be sure I don't forget anything. And I'm not even "old" yet...I guess it will pay off in the long run.
- x220 7y ago
  I hope that regular exercise of my body and mind can minimize this.
- jasonwatkinspdx 7y ago
  I had a conversation with an elderly neurologist at a wedding on this topic. His top item of advice was to do things that put your awareness into your moving body as much as possible, as a daily habit. No surprise he and his wife were the only folks in their age bracket rocking out on the dance floor later.
  - geoka9 7y ago
    > to do things that put your awareness into your moving body as much as possible Could you explain it in simpler terms?
    - karolist 7y ago
      I think this means do things that need you to think consciously about your body coordination. So dancing, rock climbing, motorcycle Enduro racing etc
      - geoka9 7y ago
        Interesting. Does that mean that mostly relying on muscle memory is not as beneficial in this context? E.g. if you're already good at some technical sport (e.g. tennis, basketball), playing it wouldn't be as beneficial as, say, learning a new dance?
elcritch 7y ago
In many ways what you describe feels similar to having a high IQ and ADHD. Sometimes being able to dig deeper into a topic than most but sometimes entering a bit of a “mental fog” where you’re barely able to think at an average level. But instead of medication it can be “triggered” by sudden surprises (E.g. unexpected questions or situations can derail my mind for a few minutes) or environmental/nutrition changes, or even just pack of sleep. Still it forces you to think at different levels of mental acumen and appreciate the differences people have in mental quickness. Though it’s also a challenge when people with constant “IQ” assume you don’t know a given topic if you’re in an off moment or day. Luckily the more experienced people seem to pick up on that. In the end communicating across different intellectual levels makes for a humbling challenge.
spookthesunset 7y ago
> If you're intellectually gifted (many programmers are) Lets not jerk each other off too hard, eh? Just like everybody in life, in any trade or profession, most programmers are just average people like everybody else. They just happened to luck out and be good at a talent that pays well. Odds are incredibly high you aren't any smarter than somebody who paints houses for a living, fills your prescription, or plays football for the NFL. We are all just people trying to make a living -- don't ever forget that.
- daseiner1 7y ago
  What absolute nonsense. Interestingly you refute the idea that intelligence determines someone’s “worth,” yet from the start you read that into the original comment even though the commenter said nothing to suggest that viewpoint. Your second paragraph is wholly unrelated since the OC isnt saying that every programmer is smarter than everyone else. And your first is trite humanist garbage. “Just happened to luck out and be good at a talent that pays well” And, coincidentally, that “talent” (abstract thinking, clarity and extended focus of thought) “””happen””” to be highly correlated with higher IQ. Still rats in the race, just rats with a slightly higher score on a particular dimension.
  - spookthesunset 7y ago
    It's not nonsense. I can't stand people who post crap like "OMG I can program so I have to have a higher than average IQ". And then they link to articles that support their little circle jerk. No. Sorry. You don't. You are average. I'm average. We are all average. Just 'cause you can code doesn't mean you are suddenly god's gift to intelligence. You aren't. Really. Sorry. You are just as stupid as everybody else. John von Neumann. Dude is a genius. Einstein. Also. you? me? sorry. Doesn't matter if you can code. People can paint cars way better than you. They can make a perfect french fry. They can inspect a clogged sewer line way better than you. They know just the best ways to start an IV. Who is more intelligent? Just because you can do $PROFESSION doesn't make you above average in intelligence. Period. Full stop. To think any other way (and for somebody to post a link to some BS article supporting their assertion) is completely absolutely 100% arrogant BS. Get off your high horse people.
n4r9 7y ago
I wonder if you've read the novel "Flowers for Algernon"? If not I have a feeling you'd like it (although perhaps find some of it difficult going - I certainly did).
- pfdietz 7y ago
  I suggest reading the short story version, which came first.
  - saagarjha 7y ago
    I read the short story and found it to be an enjoyable but somewhat depressing read. Losing your intellectual abilities while being able to perceive that you’re losing them sounds awful :(
- 7thaccount 7y ago
  I read the synopsis and "noped" out pretty hard. I'm definitely no genius, but losing what little I have would be horrifying. All those years of work to build an understanding...gone.
quasarj 7y ago
Topomax?

by x220 7y ago

failrate 7y ago

The sad reality is that cognitive decline over age is more likely than not. I have prebuilt a set of habits that I hope will serve me for when I need to rely on them to get me through the day.

saganus 7y ago
Interesting. What kind of habits?
- failrate 7y ago
  Glasses and ID together. Car keys on top of work items like laptop and badge. White board next to front door with dates and reminders and mail to drop off. Arrange things like you would for a Sims character.
  - saganus 7y ago
    Oh... yeah, those make sense. I already do a lot of those things so that I can be sure I don't forget anything. And I'm not even "old" yet...I guess it will pay off in the long run.
x220 7y ago
I hope that regular exercise of my body and mind can minimize this.
jasonwatkinspdx 7y ago
I had a conversation with an elderly neurologist at a wedding on this topic. His top item of advice was to do things that put your awareness into your moving body as much as possible, as a daily habit. No surprise he and his wife were the only folks in their age bracket rocking out on the dance floor later.
- geoka9 7y ago
  > to do things that put your awareness into your moving body as much as possible Could you explain it in simpler terms?
  - karolist 7y ago
    I think this means do things that need you to think consciously about your body coordination. So dancing, rock climbing, motorcycle Enduro racing etc
    - geoka9 7y ago
      Interesting. Does that mean that mostly relying on muscle memory is not as beneficial in this context? E.g. if you're already good at some technical sport (e.g. tennis, basketball), playing it wouldn't be as beneficial as, say, learning a new dance?

elcritch 7y ago

In many ways what you describe feels similar to having a high IQ and ADHD. Sometimes being able to dig deeper into a topic than most but sometimes entering a bit of a “mental fog” where you’re barely able to think at an average level. But instead of medication it can be “triggered” by sudden surprises (E.g. unexpected questions or situations can derail my mind for a few minutes) or environmental/nutrition changes, or even just pack of sleep. Still it forces you to think at different levels of mental acumen and appreciate the differences people have in mental quickness. Though it’s also a challenge when people with constant “IQ” assume you don’t know a given topic if you’re in an off moment or day. Luckily the more experienced people seem to pick up on that. In the end communicating across different intellectual levels makes for a humbling challenge.

spookthesunset 7y ago

> If you're intellectually gifted (many programmers are) Lets not jerk each other off too hard, eh? Just like everybody in life, in any trade or profession, most programmers are just average people like everybody else. They just happened to luck out and be good at a talent that pays well. Odds are incredibly high you aren't any smarter than somebody who paints houses for a living, fills your prescription, or plays football for the NFL. We are all just people trying to make a living -- don't ever forget that.

daseiner1 7y ago
What absolute nonsense. Interestingly you refute the idea that intelligence determines someone’s “worth,” yet from the start you read that into the original comment even though the commenter said nothing to suggest that viewpoint. Your second paragraph is wholly unrelated since the OC isnt saying that every programmer is smarter than everyone else. And your first is trite humanist garbage. “Just happened to luck out and be good at a talent that pays well” And, coincidentally, that “talent” (abstract thinking, clarity and extended focus of thought) “””happen””” to be highly correlated with higher IQ. Still rats in the race, just rats with a slightly higher score on a particular dimension.
- spookthesunset 7y ago
  It's not nonsense. I can't stand people who post crap like "OMG I can program so I have to have a higher than average IQ". And then they link to articles that support their little circle jerk. No. Sorry. You don't. You are average. I'm average. We are all average. Just 'cause you can code doesn't mean you are suddenly god's gift to intelligence. You aren't. Really. Sorry. You are just as stupid as everybody else. John von Neumann. Dude is a genius. Einstein. Also. you? me? sorry. Doesn't matter if you can code. People can paint cars way better than you. They can make a perfect french fry. They can inspect a clogged sewer line way better than you. They know just the best ways to start an IV. Who is more intelligent? Just because you can do $PROFESSION doesn't make you above average in intelligence. Period. Full stop. To think any other way (and for somebody to post a link to some BS article supporting their assertion) is completely absolutely 100% arrogant BS. Get off your high horse people.

n4r9 7y ago

I wonder if you've read the novel "Flowers for Algernon"? If not I have a feeling you'd like it (although perhaps find some of it difficult going - I certainly did).

pfdietz 7y ago
I suggest reading the short story version, which came first.
- saagarjha 7y ago
  I read the short story and found it to be an enjoyable but somewhat depressing read. Losing your intellectual abilities while being able to perceive that you’re losing them sounds awful :(
7thaccount 7y ago
I read the synopsis and "noped" out pretty hard. I'm definitely no genius, but losing what little I have would be horrifying. All those years of work to build an understanding...gone.

quasarj 7y ago

Topomax?