h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

>>I read somewhere (can't for the life of me thing where, now) that where you are when you learn things is important in the recall of those

I find this works in reverse, too. If I'm out walking whilst listening to a podcast, then I hear the podcast again, I can remember where I was. Also, if I paint a picture whilst listening, then hear it again, I can remember which brushstrokes I was doing; or if I look at the picture, I can remember the radio show.

It all relates to the memory loci technique
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_of_loci

I dabbled with it when my 4 year-old could beat me every time at a memory game. I reasoned that I needed to get better just to keep her challenged, and I did indeed get better; but unfortunately since she stopped winning, she lost all interest. And I end up looking like a 'competitive dad', which I'm not, and I challenge anyone who says that I am.

re post about the importance of where/your state of mind you learn something. I believe it is called 'state dependent memory'. Interestingly it means that you tend to remember things you did when you were better, the next time you are

Anyway, I'm going to campaign to do my uni exams in my house, because that's where I studied for them

I'm doing an Open University course with an exam at the end. I'm a disabled student, so they sent me a Facilities Request form, so I could specify my exam needs. I have difficulty writing - the longer I write, the less legible it is. A three hour exam would be impossible for me if I was forced to write by hand. So I asked to do my exam on my laptop, saving the answers to a memory stick. I've been told that they can't arrange this if I take the exam at the exam centre with the other students. Guess what! I'll be taking the exam at home. It will probaby be in our 'computer room', as that's the one place the invigilator will be able to sit and see the screen while I take the exam. I've read about where you learn affecting your memory on recall, so I'll be doing my revision in the 'computer room'.

I suppose I'm 'lucky' to be able to do this, but I'd rather not be disabled.

Sho, ta. Studying at the damn uni might work, apart from it does cost money and energy to get there. I'm having dinner now cos my brain’s shot to pieces and really trying not to snark at my idiot friend who passed the exam, and therefore thinks “you can pass if you just work.” Yeah, sometimes it doesn’t work like that...

quotes, thank you. I used to listen to music during my GCSEs, the recall of that helped plenty. Maybe Maiden could help, LOL. Didn't know of the memory loci technique, thanks!

winnoch2, I'm gonna type the exam this time cos I think I’ll have a much better chance of passing it. I think I can think a lot better if I know I have the time to stop and really think for a bit. Oral exams don't really give you that.

CD, YES. No longer how I long I write it’s always illegible to all but me though, LOL. Netbooks are a godsend right now. That’s bull, they can! No, really, that is unfair for them to say they can’t do that, but they CAN isolate you, which is what they have always done with me and what they are doing with you, which is a good thing; I hope you pass. I cannot, sadly, revise in Rafal’s office- he wouldn’t let me! ... I’d rather not be disabled either, mate.

Works that way for me, too, especially with music. Looking at past building designs, I can always remember the music I was listening to at the time.

PH: When someone writes in to a radio programme that has the same name and location as you, but a wildly different and rather ridiculous opinion. I just hope nobody thought it was me.

quotes - I was beginning to think you were me for a minute, till you said you painted pictures and anyway yerra fella. But I have the podcast phenomenon and also have grown to hate those "documentary" programmes.

I can't bear to watch those programmes any more. You learn little or nothing and most of the programme is expensive re-enactment of the unimportant bits - often through a fuzzy lens - and dubious "experts" talking about obscure peripheral events.

And I was surprised to hear my son's name mentioned on the radio "M from Karlsruhe" - on a BBC programme! I played the programme to him, but he swore it wasn't him who'd e-mailed in.

Mala, I think this time if I stick to Rainmaker things might be alright, but at least I can remember some things concerning Widsith and gnomic poetry; it'll be gone in the morning. Ah, the delights of Old English and its people- and damned riddles!

>> I was beginning to think you were me for a minute,

Perhaps you are me; how can you prove that you're not?

*Points accusing finger*

SOCK PUPPET!!!

PH: The Tai Chi video I've just tried to help me de-stress.

Now, normally in an exercise class, the instructor moves in such a way as to mirror what you are doing - so that when they say, "Step on your left foot" they will actually be stepping onto their right foot, so that it's easy to copy them.

This DVD doesn't do that. And I'm getting fed up trying to work out which hand should be moving where, that I've ended up more strung out than before! And that's before I even start on the presenter's garish chinese silk pyjamas and grating accent

@Anna Siren: "No, really, that is unfair for them to say they can’t do that, but they CAN isolate you, which is what they have always done with me and what they are doing with you, which is a good thing".

I think the reason they said they can't isolate me is this is the Open University, not a bricks-and-mortar establishment. They don't know yet where my exam will be held, so they can't make arrangements in advance for isolating me. It's probably easier for them if I ask for the exam to be held at home, rather than them faffing about trying to arrange a separate room. It's also easier for me, as I won't have the stress of travelling to the exam centre (wherever that is) on top of the stress of the exam.

Ooh you've reminded me of a really big hate, although petty in the big scheme of things..... In "wellness" resorts (that's what they call them here, anyway) when you're trying to relax in a bath or some kind of light system which is supposed to relax you, or even in the foyer, they play the most nauseating music (panpipes anyone?) which is enough to drive anyone mad. It makes me so aggressive, as do bubbling indoor fountains (they don't only make me aggressive, they make me want to go to the loo)

Well, that´s rather clever, isn´t it? You are supposed to feel a lot better after a "wellness weekend" - and you really do.
Once you are back home and away from that .

Bea, in our exercise classes the instructor stands with their back to you and does exactly what you do. At my old gym they faced you and mirrored what they wanted you to do (your left foot, their right)

I get so confuzzled I've given up on the classes and just do my own thing.

PH: our gym has a spiral staircase between the upper and lower levels. Most people wait to make sure the thing is clear before going up or down. But it's January so we're overfull of newbies who just barge up and down regardless.

Sho, kick their ankles. Always works

I usually give them an exaggerated "no, please, after YOU" type of comment...

I kick their ankles. Then if they look at me I just say "sorry" and smile.

I might try it - how often do they kick you back?

Not happened yet and I've been a grumpy sod for quite a few years

You have to do it "accidently" though, for instance, go to walk up the stairs just before they've finished walking down