I grew up on classic pop/rock: The Beatles, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Clash, Three Dog Night (don’t judge) Split Enz (underrated) The Partridge Family (go ahead and judge) and many more.
I still love music over all other art forms. I love many modern artists, but there’s a problem. I can’t remember their songs as well.
When I’m all alone, certain that nobody can hear, I’ll occasionally get out a guitar and strum and sing to songs that I hold dear to my heart. When I’m attempting the old classics, my recall of the lyrics is pretty good. When it comes to newer songs — songs I love just as much — nuthin’. Struggle, stammer, confusion, frustration.
I just cannot remember the lyrics to more current songs.
My mind, as a middle-aged adult, is too full. The lyrics don’t stick with me like they did in my youth. I hate that.
Fortunately, it’s not just me having premature “senior moments” or generally struggling to remember things. Author Benedict Carey believes that “memory’s speed and accuracy begin to slip around age 25 and keep on slipping.” This means two things: 1) it’s not my own fault that I cannot remember the lyrics to the Palma Violets’ “Best of Friends.” And 2) Carey and I are not going to be friends. If I get this annoyed at him when he’s telling me the hard truth, this doesn’t bode well for us getting along.
More time = more knowledge to store
The older mind has had more time to obtain and store information, naturally. This accounts for extra time it may take to conjure information in an older mind. Carey goes on (via The New Old Age blog on NYTimes.com):
“… the larger the library you have in your head, the longer it usually takes to find a particular word.” That makes sense. Maybe Carey’s alright after all.
From the article:
“Scientists who study thinking and memory often make a broad distinction between ‘fluid’ and ‘crystallized’ intelligence. The former includes short-term memory, like holding a phone number in mind, analytical reasoning, and the ability to tune out distractions, like ambient conversation. The latter is accumulated knowledge, vocabulary and expertise.”
The researchers Carey cites argue that increases in crystalized intelligence can account for a decrease in fluid intelligence. This suggests that senior moments and other bouts of forgetfulness may be less due to traditionally assumed age-related decline.
“It’s not that you’re slow. It’s that you know so much,” Carey wrote.
Thanks, Ben. But I’m still going to need you to put on sound-proof ear muffs and hold the lyrics to “Best of Friends” in front of me.
Julian Rogers is a writer, editor, community manager and marketing communications consultant for high-achieving businesses — from solo entrepreneurs to large private companies. Find out what he’s thinking about on his blog: mrturophile.com, or connect with him on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
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