Brain's Cache Memory Found

KingFishKingFish
edited April 2004 in Science & Tech
The number of things you can hold in your mind at once has been traced to one penny-sized part of the brain.
The finding surprises researchers who assumed this aspect of our intelligence would be distributed over many parts of the brain. Instead, the area appears to form a bottleneck that might limit our cognitive abilities, researchers say.
Source: Nature

Comments

  • csimoncsimon Acadiana Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    good find kingfish ...very interesting!
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited April 2004
    I guess thats why we can only remember 4 numbers at a time. Notice how phone numbers are in groups of 3 and 4. Thats the usual max on numbers that we can remember at a time.

    I like this line:
    "Single spot in brain determines size of visual scratch pad. "
  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    Lots of oiur brain is devoted to physical control pattern storage and speech and symbol storage. One way to remember complex things, including numbers, is to symbolize them-- change how you remember to how the brain stores, memory lasts longer.

    Lots of the math geniuses think symbolically and mnemonically in combination to figure out complex math absent a computer's use.

    John D.
  • KingFishKingFish
    edited April 2004
    Thanks csimon. I thought it was quite interesting myself. Tech has such a convergence with other things and, in my opinion, the ultimate convergence is with the human mind. I think this topic and others related will be a hot one and will surely be the ones to watch in the future. And to think I found this article buried deep inside one of the news sites I peruse. This is front page stuff in my opinion. I'll pass more along as I find them.

    KingFish
  • croc_croc_ New
    edited April 2004
    Is this cache upgradeable? Or do I have to replace the brain to upgrade?
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited April 2004
    Maybe a couple COASTs would work...
  • ginipigginipig OH, NOES
    edited April 2004
    Depends on your warranty
  • TemplarTemplar You first.
    edited April 2004
    Just file an RMA claim :p
  • hitokirihitokiri NYC
    edited April 2004
    When are the new 64bit brains coming out? That'll fix the memory bottlenecks.
  • MJOMJO Denmark New
    edited April 2004
    Geeky, how do I cool an OC'ed brain?
    The best thing would be to get rid of all that hair, right?
    I also need to upgrade my memory and cache.
    /me cannot remember when his favourite shows are on television ;)
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    One way to remember complex things, including numbers, is to symbolize them-- change how you remember to how the brain stores, memory lasts longer.
    That's exactly why I prefer road signs and automobile dashboard information that is presented with symbols - get the whole meaning in a quick glance.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited April 2004
    Shave the hair, immerse cranium in chilled water.
  • madmatmadmat
    edited April 2004
    Back in the 80's they came out with a motorcycle helmet with a peltier in it that cooled your noggin, locate one of those and attach a fan to the sink on the pelt to simulate movement of the bike and it's all good. You could wear it on dates and stuff.
  • EyesOnlyEyesOnly Sweden New
    edited April 2004
    or math tests. ;D
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