I wouldn't worry computing is about building a solution then abstracting that layer away so that you don't have to think about it. DO that and you'll be fine. I for example rarely remember the specific names for things but remember and derive concepts very well. Consider it your own personal advantage that you're not weighed down by details.
Ask HN: Can't seem to remember basic things, should I give up on computing?
21–30 of 38 posts
Re: Ask HN: Can't seem to remember basic things, should I give up on computing?
#22Earlier quoted context omitted.
I live without internet at home now. It's amazing how much more space there is in my brain after reducing that single input.
Are you a programmer? Because that doesn't sound helpful. If I didn't have internet at home, I basically wouldn't learn.
I used to be in this boat for financial reasons. I downloaded tons of documentation and learned to love specifications.
Of course, nothing beats Google, but if the docs are good (big if) you tend get a deeper understanding of your tools.
Re: Ask HN: Can't seem to remember basic things, should I give up on computing?
#23I just published my first blog piece about memory and engineering! It took me a few years to get the systems in place, but I came out as a much better engineer. Spaced repetition is my savior.
https://senrigan.io/blog/chasing-10x-leveraging-a-poor-memor...
Re: Ask HN: Can't seem to remember basic things, should I give up on computing?
#24I still look up the order to create a basic Linux symlink. Acronyms or pneumonic devices can help solidify the things you do frequently to commit them to memory. Frequent repetition, de stressing, quality sleep, exercise and SLOWING DOWN to actually digest the patterns and actions you’re doing can help. Beyond that note things down and the rest isn’t important enough to need to remember, google is fine.
I find that, if it's a concept completely foreign to me and it took me 30 minutes or more to figure it out, I'll write a blog post on it. (Did so, recently, with the Swedish Personnummer and Luhn Algorithms.)
This mightn't help anyone else but me but the fact that I took the time to try to explain it to someone else means I've had to try to solidify my own understanding of it before attempting to explain it to someone else - if that makes sense? Perhaps, even the fact of writing it down helps me to remember it that much more because I have to present it as consumable material to someone who may not just "get it" from the onset.
Re: Ask HN: Can't seem to remember basic things, should I give up on computing?
#25There is very little point to memorise things that are easily looked up.
Re: Ask HN: Can't seem to remember basic things, should I give up on computing?
#26Earlier quoted context omitted.
I live without internet at home now. It's amazing how much more space there is in my brain after reducing that single input.
Are you a programmer? Because that doesn't sound helpful. If I didn't have internet at home, I basically wouldn't learn.
I know that feeling but people were not entirely unlearned before widespread home broadband. Consider the possibility that you could even learn more than you do now, without using the internet at home. It’s likely possible!
Re: Ask HN: Can't seem to remember basic things, should I give up on computing?
#27Meditation and playing Dual n Back regularly has helped with my memory.
Re: Ask HN: Can't seem to remember basic things, should I give up on computing?
#28Join the club. What I do: - Take lots of notes with code examples and thorough basic explanations to self. - Reduce inputs (news, social media, knowledge that doesn't matter) - Exercise (moving meditation. walk, run, whatever. time to self. no listening to podcasts/music/etc.)
Reduce inputs. Thanks.
Re: Ask HN: Can't seem to remember basic things, should I give up on computing?
#29If it makes you feel any better, I think this is almost true for everyone. There are so many "basic things" that it's hard to keep them all in memory. I'd have to look up all these things you're talking about (other than maybe two's complement, but even then, I'd look it up just to be safe).
Much of this memory trouble is also referenced in the interviewing process, since they want you to remember it but in real world scenarios, everyone just goes and looks up a reference.
On the other hand, I think by having to "relearn"/refresh these things, it makes you faster at taking on something you don't know, which I find to be pretty common.
It also sounds like a lot of things you're doing are based on standards or formats, which are much harder than most people give them credit for. I always have to refer to the standard.
How do I avoid these details? I try to use libraries wherever possible, although these tend to be another thing I have to reference anyway!
Re: Ask HN: Can't seem to remember basic things, should I give up on computing?
#30You probably need to start taking Welbutrin or something. See an occupational psychiatrist. They really can help, and quickly.