Comments on How Much Can the Brain Really Hold?

R

Roger

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Kelly's original article is here:

http://www.gtdtimes.com/2009/12/30/how-much-can-the-brain-really-hold/

For some further background on the whole "there are about 7 parking spaces in working memory, plus or minus 2" concept:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magical_Number_Seven,_Plus_or_Minus_Two

and

http://www.edwardtufte.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0000U6&topic_id=1

So there's good reason to be skeptical, in my opinion, of anyone promoting this sort of extension of Miller's work.

Cheers,
Roger
 
R

Roger

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Well, as near as I can reckon it, Miller's paper was about a couple of very narrow concepts -- the ability to distinguish between one-dimensional values with absolute judgment, and the role of chunking in short-term working memory.

The very wide range of things that people seem to think it applies to -- everything from highway billboards to powerpoint bullets -- is astonishing.

There's certainly nothing in his research to support that people are only able to think about 7 +/- 2 things at a time.
 
K

kevscot64

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Your Brain At Work - by David Rock

Just finished this - an excellent read - affirms and deepens all I've heard from David on the subject of working memory and how much can you hold - told in a good story format of two married individuals - wife, a busy executive and husband a solo entrepreneur who works from home.

If you have listened to David's "Making Change Stick" podcast this a deeper cut with some great exercises for reframing when you lose focus or need to switch attention.
 
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