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Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

atlasobscura.com

111–120 of 334 posts

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#111

I have a strict rule that I must touch my keys before closing the front door, because I discovered the keys in my memory don't open the door as well as the keys in my pocket.

I take them out of my pocket and put them in my hand (often the keyring around finger) as I close the door. Also: if I'm in the car, and the car isn't running, the key must always be in my pocket; never in the ignition, cup holder, etc. I should probably get a spare just to open the car door, and put it in my wallet.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#112
post #32

I noticed the problem on myself on several occasions and kind of invented the same solution. For example, sometimes I would take a medicament mechanically while doing something else and just a few minutes later, forget if I took it or not. Solution: say loud to myself "I'm taking a pill". Another: sometimes I'd lend some amount money to a colleague, and a few weeks later I'd have a hard time figuring whether they gav…

I too do this now, and I learned it from the movie The Long Kiss Goodnight, wherein Samuel L. Jackon's character, in order to remember where he puts things (and as a pretty clever plot device), sings it as he's doing it in a blues riff.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#113
post #67
post #32

I noticed the problem on myself on several occasions and kind of invented the same solution. For example, sometimes I would take a medicament mechanically while doing something else and just a few minutes later, forget if I took it or not. Solution: say loud to myself "I'm taking a pill". Another: sometimes I'd lend some amount money to a colleague, and a few weeks later I'd have a hard time figuring whether they gav…

> I'd lend some amount money to a colleague, and a few weeks later I'd have a hard time figuring whether they gave it back, and they too. Solution: An I.O.U.?

Most of these can be done better by using technology. For example use an app to track IOUS .... or simply write down notes on your cell phone.

In the case of the train operators though, technology as it stands now might be a hinderance. Notice from the videos that they go through gestures _rapidly_. Recording the action each time onto a tablet or such would be a hinderance that would only delay.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#115

I do this (subvocally) when hopping between dev and prod. "I'm looking at production. I'm checking this query is the one I think it is. I'm running it now. I'm closing production."

I make the same mistakes when looking at code from two different but similar projects.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#116
post #113
post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I'd lend some amount money to a colleague, and a few weeks later I'd have a hard time figuring whether they gave it back, and they too. Solution: An I.O.U.?

Most of these can be done better by using technology. For example use an app to track IOUS .... or simply write down notes on your cell phone. In the case of the train operators though, technology as it stands now might be a hinderance. Notice from the videos that they go through gestures _rapidly_. Recording the action each time onto a tablet or such would be a hinderance that would only delay.

Absolutely not true in my experience.

A cell phone reminder for a one-off is easily missed during my morning routine.

A physical motion and/or out-loud speech associated with the event cements it much more effectively.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#117
Slightly off topic but this practice of talking-out-loud to get yourself doing stuff is also beneficial to people with executive dysfunction. If your executive function is impaired you generally don't have the "internal monologue" or the voice in your head. This makes seemingly simpler things like taking a shower, driving, or eating, very difficult! I'd often "forget" to eat, simply because I could not get myself to start.

I found that it helps to announce (not necessarily loud) what I am to do, and the steps to do so. ("Okay we're going to get up and walk to the kitchen.", "We're walking now")

Though for some reason I use plural pronouns for myself -- we, us etc. Does somebody else do that too? :)

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#118
post #53
post #32

I noticed the problem on myself on several occasions and kind of invented the same solution. For example, sometimes I would take a medicament mechanically while doing something else and just a few minutes later, forget if I took it or not. Solution: say loud to myself "I'm taking a pill". Another: sometimes I'd lend some amount money to a colleague, and a few weeks later I'd have a hard time figuring whether they gav…

Vipassana meditation uses naming technique as an aid to maintain constant awareness. You name what you are doing: 'walking'. Alternatively you name things that come up to awareness while meditating: 'thought, thought, frustration, need to scratch nose, .... sadness, thought". Japanese Soto Zen tradition has short verse for every task you do in monastery. Entering toilet verse etc. It's easy to lose ones awareness whe…

I was at one of those retreets and they told us not to think or concentrate on a special word or phrase because this would distract us, we were supposed to use the breathing if we needed some guidance.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#120
post #47
post #32

I noticed the problem on myself on several occasions and kind of invented the same solution. For example, sometimes I would take a medicament mechanically while doing something else and just a few minutes later, forget if I took it or not. Solution: say loud to myself "I'm taking a pill". Another: sometimes I'd lend some amount money to a colleague, and a few weeks later I'd have a hard time figuring whether they gav…

I also ended up instituting a physical task to track my pill taking. Need to take two pills at breakfast and I was always forgetting if I'd already taken them or not. Now, when I sit down to eat I move the pill bottles to the middle of the table. End of the meal, after taking the pills, bottles go back on a shelf at the end of the table. Not only do I no longer forget, more importantly I no longer need to remember, w…

I've tried a few different pill organizers. Still haven't found the tool that works for me. Too small, too big, too few slots, spray the pills out when popping the lid open, etc.
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