Author Topic: Is there a limit on memory? (Read 5193 times)

Colin Michael · « **on:** February 11, 2009, 10:23:43 PM »

Can the brain acquire so much memory/knowledge that it runs out of space?

How does the mind compensate for memory space?

lightningninja · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2009, 11:03:07 PM »

I think that's why we forget things... interesting though...

Alex_Olijar · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2009, 11:05:39 PM »

I don't believe there is actually. You just have an unconsious filter which places things as unimportant or important. While some things may be "forgotten", they are simply farther back into the brain, and harder to recall, but were never erased.

Colin Michael · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2009, 11:09:46 PM »

Alright, good. That's what I got from pretty much everyone else I asked. (Goes back to working on his secret project).

Isildur · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2009, 11:39:45 PM »

Yeah I think from what ive heard at the most we use I think 1/10 of our brain capacity.... Yeah dont quote me on that

Colin Michael · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2009, 11:54:41 PM »

Quote from: Isildur on February 11, 2009, 11:39:45 PM

Yeah I think from what ive heard at the most we use I think 1/10 of our brain capacity.... Yeah dont quote me on that

It's 10% but it's at a given time, not total.

Isildur · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2009, 11:56:28 PM »

huh well at least I got the number right

YourMathTeacher · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2009, 03:53:12 AM »

I was going to say something but I forgot what we were talking about.

STAMP · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2009, 10:44:12 AM »

What was the question?

Colin Michael · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2009, 10:59:31 AM »

Fact: Some people think they are witty.

STAMP · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2009, 11:02:55 AM »

Who allowed Sergeant Joe Friday on the boards?

Sean · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2009, 11:15:55 AM »

Fact: Sergeant Joe Friday has always been allowed on the boards. Fact.

crustpope · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2009, 02:05:03 PM »

Fact: the human brain produces enough energy to power a 25 watt lightbulb

PresidentOrangeBus · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2009, 03:37:14 PM »

Fact: I'm very bored right now so I'm putting this fact here. Fact

The Schaef · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2009, 03:43:59 PM »

The limits to human memory retention have not been calculable to this point. And we still only utilize 10% of the thing.

Colin Michael · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2009, 06:53:13 PM »

Quote from: The Schaef on February 12, 2009, 03:43:59 PM

The limits to human memory retention have not been calculable to this point. And we still only utilize 10% of the thing.

...at a given time.

Well here's the concept:

I want to utilize the fact that the subconcious stores both memory and belief in the sense that I was to develop the subconcious into a lesser conciousness and make memory and belief more malliable.

I've already had pretty good success with it so far; taking notes on lectures, responding to questions in class, or translating words subconsciously while doing something like drawing or thinking intensely consciously.

The problem is, logic is usually part of the will, thus making the subconcious potentially fallible, illogical, or unethical. Therefore, one must reprogram the "a priori" functions of the subconcious to include a greater degree of instinctive logic.
The second problem is that this "lesser will" must be controlled and "kept an eye on" by the greater will of the subconscious so one doesn't develop something like MPD.

The question about memory is because in this, I will be virtually doubling memory intake and don't want to blow out my memory if this became an actual possibility.

YourMathTeacher · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2009, 08:37:48 PM »

I doubt that would happen. The fact that I still remember fine details from a childhood that was over 30 years ago, in spite of cluttering my mind with over 160 semester hours of undergraduate and graduate studies seems to indicate that the human mind can handle it.

.... and I have a terrible memory. I have to arrange my students into a seating chart that is alphabetical by their first name, otherwise I'd never get their names right before the end of the semester.

STAMP · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2009, 09:14:45 PM »

Quote from: Colin Michael on February 12, 2009, 06:53:13 PM

...I will be virtually doubling memory intake and don't want to blow out my memory if this became an actual possibility.

Quote from: YourMathTeacher on February 12, 2009, 08:37:48 PM

I doubt that would happen...

Don't discourage the boy.

But seriously, you may want to do your research with dreams. I have some memories from my dreams that are more vivid to me today than something from my recent past.

Colin Michael · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2009, 09:24:47 PM »

Haha, don't worry, I've already run it past some people in the psychology department. They agreed it was possible.

Prof Underwood · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2009, 06:19:50 AM »

Quote from: Colin Michael on February 12, 2009, 09:24:47 PM

Haha, don't worry, I've already run it past some people in the psychology department. They agreed it was possible.

Yeah and the psychology department really knows what they are talking about. There is a reason why psychology is considered a "soft" science.

One prominent theory about memory is that each memory is a specific sequence of neurons that an action potential flows through. Many of these neurons overlap, explaining why memories are connected so each other to tightly sometimes (ie. remembering Gramma every time you see a Ferris wheel). Assuming that this is correct, then based on there being about 100 billion neurons in the brain, and there being a lot more combinations possible than we can imagine...

I really don't think you need to worry about this

Colin Michael · « **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2009, 10:38:59 AM »

Quote from: Prof Underwood on February 13, 2009, 06:19:50 AM

Quote from: Colin Michael on February 12, 2009, 09:24:47 PM
Haha, don't worry, I've already run it past some people in the psychology department. They agreed it was possible.
Yeah and the psychology department really knows what they are talking about. There is a reason why psychology is considered a "soft" science.

One prominent theory about memory is that each memory is a specific sequence of neurons that an action potential flows through. Many of these neurons overlap, explaining why memories are connected so each other to tightly sometimes (ie. remembering Gramma every time you see a Ferris wheel). Assuming that this is correct, then based on there being about 100 billion neurons in the brain, and there being a lot more combinations possible than we can imagine...

I really don't think you need to worry about this

Haha true.

Yeah, that's good.
I wonder if it'd be possible to make artificial lesser consciousness within one's mind: programs that can run calculations without the conscious mind's "supervision."
Well, I'm sure it would be possible, I just wonder if it would be probable.

YourMathTeacher · « **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2009, 03:15:55 PM »

Quote from: Colin Michael on February 13, 2009, 10:38:59 AM

I wonder if it'd be possible to make artificial lesser consciousness within one's mind: programs that can run calculations without the conscious mind's "supervision."
Well, I'm sure it would be possible, I just wonder if it would be probable.

I think it is both. I know there are times when I am driving with my wife on the weekend and we start talking. Before long, I pull into the parking lot of my school, wondering what in the world am I doing here when I was headed to Chuck E. Cheese.

I would argue that my subconscious was able to direct my bodily control to drive safely to work, since I had done it every weekday for years. To me, that is a type of "program."

STAMP · « **Reply #22 on:** February 13, 2009, 03:40:20 PM »

...Or driving somewhere whilst asleep.

Colin Michael · « **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2009, 07:43:02 PM »

Quote from: YourMathTeacher on February 13, 2009, 03:15:55 PM

Quote from: Colin Michael on February 13, 2009, 10:38:59 AM
I wonder if it'd be possible to make artificial lesser consciousness within one's mind: programs that can run calculations without the conscious mind's "supervision."
Well, I'm sure it would be possible, I just wonder if it would be probable.

I think it is both. I know there are times when I am driving with my wife on the weekend and we start talking. Before long, I pull into the parking lot of my school, wondering what in the world am I doing here when I was headed to Chuck E. Cheese.

I would argue that my subconscious was able to direct my bodily control to drive safely to work, since I had done it every weekday for years. To me, that is a type of "program."

Exactly. I want to find a way to exploit that very thing.

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Author Topic: Is there a limit on memory? (Read 5193 times)

The Schaef