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2093 points pabs3 | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.215s | source
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frereubu ◴[] 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 ◴[] 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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mathieuh ◴[] No.42136842[source]
Yes same for me on guitar. If I try to play something too slowly or if I really start thinking about what I'm doing it all falls apart.

I think that's when you really know a piece, when you can play it incredibly slowly. Paradoxically it's easy to play quickly and just let your fingers play out their muscle memory, playing something really slowly is the challenge.

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1. a96 ◴[] No.42146578[source]
Yes. This is the big reason why muscle memory is the worst possible memory for music. The slightest glitch leaves you completely lost if you don't have conscious knowledge of where to go next.