Comments on: Hand-writing enhances Memory http://pileofindexcards.org/blog/2006/08/27/hand-writing-enhances-memory/ as a cultural genetic code Thu, 17 May 2012 22:16:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Den Zendzian http://pileofindexcards.org/blog/2006/08/27/hand-writing-enhances-memory/#comment-170141 Sat, 06 Nov 2010 06:01:54 +0000 http://pileofindexcards.org/blog/2006/08/27/hand-writing-enhances-memory/#comment-170141 But Hawk still has a point; Japanese (Chinese too) have thousands of characters, and three writing systems in Japanese (two in Chinese; traditional and simplified Han) ; so more memorization is required, therefore any loss of memory due to computer usage may be more apparent. S.A.'s point is also true, at least for me, an English speaker and writer. In addition to improving memory, I speculate that the QUALITY of the thought is related to the medium of expression. The hand, pen and paper is an organic method, a direct mind-body connection. It is inherently more meditative than typing, whether on a computer or a typewriter. But Hawk still has a point; Japanese (Chinese too) have thousands of characters, and three writing systems in Japanese (two in Chinese; traditional and simplified Han) ; so more memorization is required, therefore any loss of memory due to computer usage may be more apparent.

S.A.’s point is also true, at least for me, an English speaker and writer. In addition to improving memory, I speculate that the QUALITY of the thought is related to the medium of expression. The hand, pen and paper is an organic method, a direct mind-body connection. It is inherently more meditative than typing, whether on a computer or a typewriter.

]]> by: Hawk http://pileofindexcards.org/blog/2006/08/27/hand-writing-enhances-memory/#comment-5749 Sat, 26 May 2007 09:35:43 +0000 http://pileofindexcards.org/blog/2006/08/27/hand-writing-enhances-memory/#comment-5749 >>S.A. I wrote "special case for Japanese" simply because I'm Japanese. And you are right. Same is true for Chinese. >>S.A.

I wrote “special case for Japanese” simply because I’m Japanese. And you are right. Same is true for Chinese.

]]> by: S.A. http://pileofindexcards.org/blog/2006/08/27/hand-writing-enhances-memory/#comment-5747 Sat, 26 May 2007 09:35:16 +0000 http://pileofindexcards.org/blog/2006/08/27/hand-writing-enhances-memory/#comment-5747 No, it is not a "special case for Japanese"; how can an issue with *Chinese* characters (used by 1 billion+ Chinese) be a "special case for Japanese"? Whether you're relying on a front-end processor for Chinese characters, or spell-checkers to help with alphabetic words, assistive technology will let the memory get lazy. Writing without the computer is a memory training method for anybody, anywhere. No, it is not a “special case for Japanese”; how can an issue with *Chinese* characters (used by 1 billion+ Chinese) be a “special case for Japanese”?

Whether you’re relying on a front-end processor for Chinese characters, or spell-checkers to help with alphabetic words, assistive technology will let the memory get lazy. Writing without the computer is a memory training method for anybody, anywhere.

]]>