10 Things Software Developers Should Learn about Learning

The Facts

While it said it is for software developers, I think this is generally extensible for anyone, as the information provided is not limited to software engineers.

Not Made of Bits!

Our brain updates as it recalls information, so called "spreading activation". So when we try to remember something

1. a pathway of neurons is activated
2. this activation occurs on multiple pathways
3. the activation leaves the pathways primed for hours

This read and update process is called reconsolidation which is very different from a computer, as when you perform a read on some bits, it does not modify it.

These primed pathways can sometimes cause unrelated topics to become related (bad for memory) but the primed pathways are great for problem solving! This is why spending time away from a problem can help you come up with an interesting solution (different pathways are being explored).

Reference

https://cacm.acm.org/research/10-things-software-developers-should-learn-about-learning/