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MomBoard: E-ink display for a parent with amnesia

(jan.miksovsky.com)
2102 points pabs3 | 2 comments | 14 Nov 24 12:20 UTC | HN request time: 0.423s | source
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frereubu ◴[14 Nov 24 13:42 UTC] No.42136060[source]▶
This is one of the few HN articles that have profoundly moved me. Such a beautiful and simple use of technology to make a clear and big improvement in someone's life.

As a side note on his mother remembering that the tablet exists, it sounds like she has amnesia quite like Henry Molaison, a famous case study in neuropathology. He had very specific brain damage that seemingly stopped him forming new memories in the same way as OP's mother, but studies showed that he could remember some things, just not consciously. So for example he would have warm feelings towards people who'd been caring for him despite not remembering them, and would also pick up card games more and more quickly as he played them repeatedly despite saying he didn't remember the game. OP's mother remembering the tablet sounds very similar, particularly when paired with the feeling of being remembered and loved by her children.

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ghosty141 ◴[14 Nov 24 14:31 UTC] No.42136434[source]▶
> but studies showed that he could remember some things, just not consciously.

This reminds me of muscle memory. I can play pieces on the piano even though I don't actively remember the sheet music of them. My hands just "know" what to do. Funnily enough the moment I start actively thinking about certain passages that ability worsens by a lot.

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1. spartanatreyu ◴[15 Nov 24 00:01 UTC] No.42142645[source]▶
It's exactly the same when solving Rubik's Cubes.

At the start it's all about carrying around notes full of picking the relevant condition depending on the current permutation/state of the cube then following the step by step algorithms on which sequence of steps to perform for that condition.

Then you'll naturally realise that certain conditions happen a lot more than others and you'll start to remember the sequence of letters for each series of steps to perform.

Over time you'll forget the letters and your fingers will just know the sequence to perform when you perceive that condition, kind of like typing a password without thinking about it.

Eventually you'll be able to fit each condition and algorithm into your muscle memory and completely forget the series of letters that you used to memorise.

Now I can barely explain how to solve a rubik's cube in-person. I just do it.

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2. hbn ◴[15 Nov 24 14:52 UTC] No.42147417[source]▶
You'll also notice this if you try to significantly slow down performing an algorithm, or try to solve a digital Rubik's cube where you have to click and drag to rotate sides.