I have sharp memory about stuff I actually actively care about when I am not tired.
When tired, or when not interested really (like binge watching youtube smartness) I forget everything.
Is this something that is relevant in your case?
Ask HN: Is your memory as bad as mine?
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Re: Ask HN: Is your memory as bad as mine?
#12OH yeah. Coming up on 40 and I forget so much shit now. I'll forget I watched some movie a year ago, start to re-watch it, and go "wait a minute..." I also make really dumb errors writing that I never, ever used to. Homophone mix-ups and such, even when I know which one's correct, the wrong one goes to my fingers. Omitting words, that kind of thing. Didn't do that ever before 30.
I also barely have what they call an "autobiographical memory"—I remember that things happened, but any kind of timeline and about 90% of the specific images or details a normal person recalls, I don't, as in, I can know "we went to the beach last Summer, it was at city X, we went to such-and-such attractions" but barely any of what normal people would call memories. What month was it? No clue. Specific memories of what happened? Not really, a few disconnected images and all I can do is fill in the rest with guesswork that often ends up being a smear of all the times I did anything similar.
But that part's always been the case. You'd think it'd make it hard to live life but I made it to almost 30 before I learned that wasn't normal, and learned somewhat later that it's an actual disorder of some kind that's just barely starting to be understood.
It does make "tell me about a time that..." questions in interviews absolute hell. I either have to take extensive notes all the time and then study them before interviews, or basically make something up. I cannot come up with that kind of thing on the spot, from my actual memory. And "write about what you did this Summer" was always the very hardest assignment all year, through grade school. Hated those. And now I know why! Hahaha.
Re: Ask HN: Is your memory as bad as mine?
#13I have sharp memory about stuff I actually actively care about when I am not tired. When tired, or when not interested really (like binge watching youtube smartness) I forget everything. Is this something that is relevant in your case?
Sort of. The things you care about, do you remember a good amount of details, you think? For example, reading a book related to your favourite topic? I’m not sure that even then my memory is good enough.
Re: Ask HN: Is your memory as bad as mine?
#14After having kid my memory, well actually my physical health has been on a straight down hill jog.
Re: Ask HN: Is your memory as bad as mine?
#15Oh, man, yes. My memory is pretty bad. Especially, it turns out, with coding stuff.
I recently started to record myself making coding projects. It’s been really enlightening about some of my bad habits. For example, I look EVERYTHING up with a search. I knew that I did this, but, watching myself, I’m learning it’s worse than I imagined.
Also, boy do I ignore my editor and let it work against me instead of for me. I gotta fix that.
You can watch me struggle on YouTube if you want to see what I’m talking about. Most of my videos are scheduled to come out in the next few weeks.
Re: Ask HN: Is your memory as bad as mine?
#16As I got into my 30's, I eventually hit a point where my short-term memory was embarrassingly poor. My brain simply wasn't what it used to be. I started taking a multivitamin most days, and it dramatically improved.
A coworker confided similar fears he was experiencing early-onset Alzheimer's or something. I shared that I had similar experiences and getting more vitamins helped.
I don't know which vitamin(s) I was missing, specifically. I don't know how common this is. But a simple daily multivitamin and a consult with a doctor might fix things.
Re: Ask HN: Is your memory as bad as mine?
#17I have been getting more and more episodes of "not remembering the obvious", I forget words and even big events like the mode of transport (plane, train) I used on a trip. I started to forget things more and more while I used to have a very precise memory, but lately it's been failing on some things. It worries me. I don't use any substances but I used to do a little bit of alcohol abuse in college. The main factors…
I can relate to what you’re saying. My memory was never stellar, but it took a hit during the pandemic, I suspect. Some of the reasons you’ve mentioned (more sedentarism, a certain level of depression) has certainly affected many of us.
Re: Ask HN: Is your memory as bad as mine?
#18As I got into my 30's, I eventually hit a point where my short-term memory was embarrassingly poor. My brain simply wasn't what it used to be. I started taking a multivitamin most days, and it dramatically improved. A coworker confided similar fears he was experiencing early-onset Alzheimer's or something. I shared that I had similar experiences and getting more vitamins helped. I don't know which vitamin(s) I was mi…
Interesting about the multivitamin. Any that you recommend?
Re: Ask HN: Is your memory as bad as mine?
#19In all my prior jobs, I was able to focus deeply on one or two things; picking up a new language over the weekend was not a big deal if instrumental to some goal I was working towards.
Some time ago, I took a position at a large financial company and do nothing but shuffle from meeting to meeting on wholly unrelated topics. Between the stress and constant context switching, my memory is useless in or out of work.
So, just wondering if you are in an environment with stress and constant context-switching?
Re: Ask HN: Is your memory as bad as mine?
#20I forgot the question.
I forgot the response.