Storing and processing information

Some of the problems with our online systems of communication stem from how memory works, how and what we remember, how emotion can override all other considerations and how those who know how to manipulate information can profit from all of the above.

When learning something new, the brain stores information in short-term memory. This allows the information to be held long enough to understand it and to ‘recall’ it for a short time. If the information is not used again, or used only infrequently, it does not stay in the memory and must be renewed or refreshed or even relearned if needed again. Some researchers believe that the use of the cell phone as an external short-term memory is eroding our ability to use our built-in short-term memory, which short circuits the process of remembering.

For information that is repeatedly required, a new storage place is created in the brain. Repetition is key to creating a place, or places, in the brain where new information can be stored on a more permanent basis. The brain will move information that is used several times from short-term memory to long-term memory. A space in the brain is created to hold each piece of information needed for the long term. If the information has more than one component – for example a picture and a caption – the brain may store the information in more than one place. The picture is stored in one place and the caption is stored in another place and the brain creates a link between the two locations. If a connection can be made between new information and an already stored piece of information, there may be multiple places in the brain where the new information is stored and there may be multiple connections between the new piece of information and already stored information. As connections are made between pieces of information, networks of links are formed. The multiple pathways between pieces of information make it easier for the brain to recall the information when it is wanted. .