Neuroscientists reveal that absentmindedness might actually be a sign that our brain is functioning properly
Many people self-congratulate themselves for their excellent memory, which can undoubtedly be useful at school, when studying, or in other specific situations.
In everyday life, however, it can happen that we forget something and each time we blame ourselves for not remembering this, that, or the other.
Neuroscience, however, is of another opinion and has reached the conclusion that there is nothing wrong with forgetting. In fact, those who are frequently forgetful have a higher intelligence.
via CNN
A study conducted by the University of Toronto discredits the belief that an impressive memory is synonymous with great intelligence. In fact, the opposite is true. For neuroscientists, a person who remembers a bit of everything is more intelligent than someone who remembers all the details regarding a single topic as it is much more useful in practical life and allows a person to actively exploit their memory.
Consequently, the next time someone describes to you in detail, how you were dressed on a specific day when you said those exact words do not be surprised --- it has nothing to do with being intelligent.
In fact, forgetting is a fundamental process for the creation of valuable space for the storage of new and useful information. Forgetting the details lets us memorize what will actually be useful in making the right decisions in the real world, which is what truly demonstrates that a person is intelligent.
A mind crowded with unnecessary details is much more likely to be in trouble when making a decision. For example, a brain filled with too many memories could fall victim to indecision because it takes into account an excessive amount of variables.
Clearly, the results of the University of Toronto are no longer valid if the quantity of information forgotten is consistent and frequent over time. In this situation, it is advisable to get a medical checkup to make sure that there are no problematic issues in progress.
