Serge wrote:

Ones could think that the intense use of technology could lead to a impairment of our memory.

Dear All, Another way of looking at this: Intense use of technology affects different "types" of memory. It also becomes an issue of what "type" of memory we are talking about: for example, we can have "everyday functioning", "low-level cognitions" versus the ability to recall specific 'non-common' data for high-cognitive use. A telephone number, for example, could involve low or high levels of cognitions and different propensions to "remember it" if it belongs to a friend or to the local post office. Intense use of technology could lead to different effects according to the types of memory we consider. For example, efficient use of info technologies, utilizing intelligent data pruning strategies and various hardware-based memory, could free up one's memory from "brain clutter" and allow improved foci on pertinent info. For example, I have found myself remembering more data relevant to my research when I memorize them on my Palm. On the other hand, intense use of technology might impair certain low-involvement memories and affect the way one's exposes, processes, learn and memorizes information. I agree on previous posts about Neil Postman's work. There are also several "historical" researches in Media studies showing how the diffusion of radio and TV has affected the learning and memorization abilities of entire generations (acustic versus visual memory). I imagine that using multiple sensorial modalities (visual, tactile, acustic) like certain new technologies allow to do, might facilitate the ability to recall certain types of info, but could impair other "types" of memories. Moreover, specific technologies should be considered: the intense use of technology might have a different impact on our memory according to the technology one's analyzes (Cellular, Internet, Palm, MP3, etc). It could also be relevant to consider how do different "types" of memory might affect ICT over time cheers, Monica Murero ----- Original Message ----- From: "Serge Courrier" <serge.courrier@pobox.com> To: <air-l@aoir.org> Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2003 8:29 AM Subject: [Air-l] Impact of intense technology use on memorization's quality Hi, Ones could think that the intense use of technology could lead to a impairment of our memory. Immediate information finding through Web queries, automatic calendar alerts via PDA, telephone numbers memorized by cellular phones, access routes computed by GPS, and so on. Do you know if anybody published a study or an article about this subject. And what do YOU think about it ? Best regards _________________________________________ Serge Courrier Scientific journalist, Paris, France