I used to prepare for a visit to a new place by studying maps so I knew my way around. Now I just use WAZE. I still can’t remember whether my sister is north of Philly and the airport is south, or vice versa.
That’s what happens. Evidence shows that people retained oral information better before the invention of the printing press. You don’t remember stuff you can look up, and now you can look up everything.
I got locked out of my house last week , my phone wasn’t in my pocket and none of my neighbors were home. even if they had been I couldn’t call anybody because all of my people are in my phone. I no longer remember any numbers and since they all have cell phones now , none of them are listed. I miss phone books
This is not a new phenomenon. When I was teaching I had dozens of #s to remember so I got a phone (land line!!) that could memorize dozens of numbers that required only 1 push of a button to activate… and I promptly forgot All of those numbers including my Mom’s.
A long time ago, I read that someone asked Einstein for his phone number, and he reached for the phone book. He said he didn’t like to clutter his brain with info he could easily look up. I agree. I even have myself listed in my contacts, in case someone asks for my number. I’m at the age where I have CRS.
A police officer gave a speech at my son’s high school several years ago and had a good question. “How many of you know your parents phone number?” “Because if you have the misfortune to be arrested you get one call and your cell phone will be locked up in locker.”
This has ALWAYS been the contention of tech-fearing doomsayers. And it’s actually true for a large part of each generation. About half of people take advantage of new technology only enough to reduce the physical or mental labor of necessary tasks, but the net effect is that they do become more lazy and less capable than they used to be. Most of the others, however, find ways to accomplish more with their newly freed time and effort. Then there are the precious few who maximize the potential of the technology, revolutionize the world around them, and eventually develop the next big thing. Within a generation or two, the majority of people will have mastered the technology, and on average our civilization will have evolved another step.
Of course, there’s always the risk of some major cataclysm that deprives us of the tools we are accustomed to. Similar ratios will then apply, as half of the people will probably not survive. The rest will adapt by degrees, we will gradually climb back to where we were, and the march of progress will continue.
BE THIS GUY almost 5 years ago
Just in case it may become necessary, dial 2 or 3 important numbers instead of pressing the name on the contact list.
Gent almost 5 years ago
Will there be ham and bacon in your party, Pig?
Bilan almost 5 years ago
The only phone number I remember anymore is my number.
Templo S.U.D. almost 5 years ago
oy vey {eye roll}
DennisinSeattle almost 5 years ago
I used to prepare for a visit to a new place by studying maps so I knew my way around. Now I just use WAZE. I still can’t remember whether my sister is north of Philly and the airport is south, or vice versa.
B UTTONS almost 5 years ago
Oh, Rat! Say it’s not so – you completed your transformation to the DARK FORCE – you’re a brain dead politician!
sirbadger almost 5 years ago
If your mother never moves, it is easy to remember her number, but if she moves, you may have to lookup her number.
Robin Harwood almost 5 years ago
My smart phone is smarter than me, so why not let it do all the mental stuff?
Snolep almost 5 years ago
Yup. Dont know any current numbers. My childhood friends however….
dwane.scoty1 almost 5 years ago
The always conniving Rat forgets the only thing he has to remember ( his phone). No way, Pastis!
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I have to say disconnected phone numbers make great PINs.
jel354 almost 5 years ago
Can the same be said for Rat’s heart?
walstib Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Off topic: Anyone heard from Kyle of Lochalsh lately?
mjb515 almost 5 years ago
It is supposed too free your brain for higher level thinking.
LilyGilder almost 5 years ago
The brain is a terrible thing to atrophie.
Andrew Sleeth almost 5 years ago
Did Pig just ask for Rat’s mom’s phone number?! Isn’t she a little old for him?
wrd2255 almost 5 years ago
One for Tuesday, from the Stones: “Lose your phone and you will lose your mind”
chris_o42 almost 5 years ago
Oh so that’s what is happening? Makes sense.
Steverino Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I never get a phone that’s smarter than I am.
SusieB almost 5 years ago
I keep my important numbers written down, in case I lose or don’t have my cell phone.
Troglodyte almost 5 years ago
Not surprising Rat doesn’t remember his Mom’s number. In fact, surprising that he remembers his Mom at all!
TheBigPickle almost 5 years ago
He doesn’t have his phone? Come on, now… I can only suspend my disbelief so much…
aerotica69 almost 5 years ago
The definition of the 21st century.
Ignatz Premium Member almost 5 years ago
That’s what happens. Evidence shows that people retained oral information better before the invention of the printing press. You don’t remember stuff you can look up, and now you can look up everything.
caring55 almost 5 years ago
I got locked out of my house last week , my phone wasn’t in my pocket and none of my neighbors were home. even if they had been I couldn’t call anybody because all of my people are in my phone. I no longer remember any numbers and since they all have cell phones now , none of them are listed. I miss phone books
KEA almost 5 years ago
This is not a new phenomenon. When I was teaching I had dozens of #s to remember so I got a phone (land line!!) that could memorize dozens of numbers that required only 1 push of a button to activate… and I promptly forgot All of those numbers including my Mom’s.
the lost wizard almost 5 years ago
This is a little to close to the truth.
Ellis97 almost 5 years ago
Rats do have tiny brains.
Bicycle Dude almost 5 years ago
I know a lot of people who are like Rat.
marilynnbyerly almost 5 years ago
I have English major brain. Lots of words in the brain but very few numbers.
Cornelius Noodleman almost 5 years ago
I dropped my phone in the dog’s water, and they won’t buy me another one!
Sherlock Watson almost 5 years ago
The more I see and hear about other people’s addiction to their “smartphones,” the prouder I am to have a flip phone and a brain.
Malcome1 almost 5 years ago
I have admit when I was younger it was nothing to know a dozen or so key phone numbers by memory.
Sue G almost 5 years ago
A long time ago, I read that someone asked Einstein for his phone number, and he reached for the phone book. He said he didn’t like to clutter his brain with info he could easily look up. I agree. I even have myself listed in my contacts, in case someone asks for my number. I’m at the age where I have CRS.
Call me Ishmael almost 5 years ago
Ya don’t know ya own Motha’s numbah ? Oy !
Call me Ishmael almost 5 years ago
A party including Rat’s Mom/ is likely to be a “bomb”/ she’s even less fun/ than her cynical son/ the glorious “fruit of her womb”.
zeexenon almost 5 years ago
Well there’s always tattoos.
circleM almost 5 years ago
A police officer gave a speech at my son’s high school several years ago and had a good question. “How many of you know your parents phone number?” “Because if you have the misfortune to be arrested you get one call and your cell phone will be locked up in locker.”
Sisyphos almost 5 years ago
Just be sure you aren’t mis-diagnosed as having Early Onset Alzheimer’s, Rat. That would be much worse than your self-diagnosis of “withered brain”….
Blot almost 5 years ago
Remember 10 person party lines? remember how you had to CALL someone ON your party line?
Seeker149 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
This has ALWAYS been the contention of tech-fearing doomsayers. And it’s actually true for a large part of each generation. About half of people take advantage of new technology only enough to reduce the physical or mental labor of necessary tasks, but the net effect is that they do become more lazy and less capable than they used to be. Most of the others, however, find ways to accomplish more with their newly freed time and effort. Then there are the precious few who maximize the potential of the technology, revolutionize the world around them, and eventually develop the next big thing. Within a generation or two, the majority of people will have mastered the technology, and on average our civilization will have evolved another step.
Of course, there’s always the risk of some major cataclysm that deprives us of the tools we are accustomed to. Similar ratios will then apply, as half of the people will probably not survive. The rest will adapt by degrees, we will gradually climb back to where we were, and the march of progress will continue.