A new Columbia University study about to be published in the journal, Science, reveals that having the internet at our finger tips — literally in our pockets — is changing the way our minds store and recall information. We’re basically more inclined to forget things if we know we can just easily find the info later.
In addition, we’re also better at remembering where to find information that the facts themselves. It’s called “transactive memory”, and is the focus of CU Psychologist, Betsy Sparrow’s paper. [Columbia University]
“Our brains rely on the Internet for memory in much the same way they rely on the memory of a friend, family member or co-worker. We remember less through knowing information itself than by knowing where the information can be found.”