Quote:
Originally Posted by ahi
Memorization used to be a far more prominent part of Western curriculums as well.
Presumably that is why Abraham Lincoln back in the day correctly and eloquently recited hour+ long speeches from memory, whereas most recent presidents use cuecards and teleprompters for even 15 minute ones.
Of course, nowadays we bemoan rote memorization and do not even consider the possibility that it might have any generalized benefit towards either intelligence or brain-functioning otherwise.
- Ahi
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Rote memorization has its place, but I do wish that American schools would start teaching more critical thinking. Around here, sometimes it seems like all they teach (at the public schools no less) are Bible stories and creationism.
I like to memorize things .... long lists of things for no particular reason. Ruling houses of England, Books of the Bible, Sub-species of Typhoid. I think it keeps the mind exercised. However, I find that if I don't use the things I learn by rote memory fairly often, then tend to drop out of my mind early on.
I personally think critical analysis keeps ideas and information in the brain for much longer periods of time than rote memory. But, as usual, I only have my own experience from which to draw a conclusion.