Reading this was like squashing that voice in my head that questions my intelligence. I didn’t know there was science behind my learning behavior, let alone a method to improve. I could have used this info decades ago before college. I do enjoy learning, so this will come in handy.
Thank you, James. That inner voice questioning our intelligence can be relentless—and you're not alone. One of the most liberating discoveries in the science of learning is that forgetting is normal, not a sign of failure. I’m so glad this piece was helpful—and that your enjoyment of learning now has a sturdier foundation to stand on.
Thank you thank you! The universe came through again! I was just trying to think of a way to stop forgetting terms and things this morning. It’s frustrating to know it then not know it 5 minutes later. 🙃
Spaced repetition works only if you never stop. I spent over a year learning Russian vocabulary with Anki, and it was very effective until I stopped. I’d say I’ve now lost 98% of what I’d learned. Perhaps I could now relearn it easier than the initial learning, but it’s worth noting this limitation of spaced repetition.
Absolutely love this reflection, Peter. You're spot on about one of the paradoxes of spaced repetition: it’s powerful, but also brittle if discontinued. The forgetting curve doesn’t stop just because we once learned something well.
That said, I suspect—like you hinted—that you’ve built latent structures that would make relearning significantly faster. Think of it like a trail in the forest: overgrown now, yes, but easier to find and retrace than cutting a path from scratch.
Also, this touches on a deeper idea: that learning systems work best when they’re intertwined with purpose. A vocabulary card is easier to remember when it's tied to a conversation, a memory, a need.
Thanks for the thoughtful post—these are the kinds of insights that sharpen how we think about memory and learning over time.
True! But, the thing is, the more times you have revisited it, the longer you can go without having to repeat it. It doesn’t have to mean, “oh no, I have to do flash cards on 1000 words every week or I will forget.” It can mean, flash cards every week for 25 ords, and the ones you remember easily you can skip a week, then if 2 weeks later you still were able to recall them (the *act of recalling* is the key here, not just reviewing), then you can skip a month, and so on. It’s sort of magical, really.
It’s some effort at first, but if something is important it can be done.
There is a great comic somewhere online that describes this and gives a simple-to-implement method…I’m going to find it and link it in another comment on the main article.
It’s interesting that we feel frustrated that we can’t remember the essential details of a book (I feel the same way) and yet we take in information daily (news, TV, movies, songs, conversations) and never give a second thought to not remembering it. Maybe we should just concentrate on filling our minds with good things and not worry about it?
Really insightful take! I have a question for anyone reading this—do you feel like you’ll retain what you read today, or would revisiting this article later give you an entirely new perspective?
I’ve been thinking a lot about real-time communication versus the slower, more processed way we absorb written content. It’s fascinating how the way we read—whether it’s an article, a book, or even a post on a screen—can vary so much from person to person. Forgetting what we read is such a common struggle, and it makes me wonder: how much of what we consume actually sticks with us long-term?
Excited to explore more on Substack! Thanks for sharing this—it’s such an interesting discussion about memory, learning, and how we engage with text in a digital world.
Such a thoughtful reflection, Blake—thank you for starting this thread. You’re right: the way we engage with text does vary widely, and that shapes both what we absorb and retain. Research suggests we reconstruct meaning each time we revisit content, which means coming back to this article days or weeks later might not just refresh memory—it might also spark new connections. It’s why spaced retrieval works so well: each recall attempt isn’t just review; it’s re-encoding at a deeper level.
Your distinction between real-time communication and the slow simmer of written reflection is so compelling. I’d love to explore this more. Maybe the act of returning—of rereading with a different self—is a form of learning we often overlook.
Eva, your response is a gem—thank you for illuminating this thread with such clarity! I’m captivated by how you’ve framed our engagement with text as a living process, where each revisit rewires meaning anew.
That notion of spaced retrieval as re-encoding—it’s brilliant, like sculpting memory into something richer with every touch. The science sings through your words, and it’s a tune I can’t stop humming.
Your pull toward the tension between instant dialogue and the slow unfurling of written thought has me nodding eagerly. There’s a quiet magic in returning to a piece with fresh eyes, isn’t there? It’s as if we’re meeting an old friend who’s grown alongside us, offering lessons we missed before. I’d love to dive deeper into that with you—it’s a subtle art of learning that deserves more light.
I’m thrilled to keep this spark alive on Substack—your perspective is a joy to tangle with, Eva! Blake
I (almost) want to cry. I talk to people all the time about my inability to remember ANYTHING I read. And I too have read A LOT, seemingly for no use. I seem to be an expert at cramming, but that all evaporates after I no longer need the information. It's super frustrating trying to recall what I've read to someone else because it comes out choppy, disconnected, and difficult for the listener to follow my train of thought. So glad this little nugget dropped out of the Substack algorithm today. ☺️ We'll see if I can't make some improvements.
Your comment made me smile and nod in recognition. Cramming gives us the illusion of competence, but not the kind of sticky, useful knowledge we can actually use or share.
You’re already on the right track just by becoming aware of the gap and wanting to close it. I’m so glad this post found you at the right time.
Thank you for sharing these strategies. I love to learn, and I read, take notes, and review notes every day. I have learned a lot this way, but I think your strategies will help me improve my memory. I’m going to try them.
Good article. Although I think my main takeaway isn't what the author intended. Yes, there's a time for learning, but there is also a time for just being. For me, slowing down sometimes just means reading for being in the moment. Sometimes, I want it to come in, and then just go out. I'm pretty sure there's something to that. I mean, you may not be able to explain the 80 books you read, but some of it is floating around in you. And I think that's what slowing down is all about. Just do things for their sake, if you learn something, great. You always learn something.
But I guess that's what makes the post good, you can learn even more than what the author intended. Thanks, Eva!
I love what you said about reading for being. I totally agree that not all reading needs to be mined for productivity or turned into bullet points. And yes, even when we don’t remember specifics, something always stays with us. I’m glad the article held space for multiple takeaways, including yours.
Wow ! I was thinking about this a couple of days ago . I’m a sloooooowwww reader . Lots of marginalia and thinking on paper about what I’ve read . I thought I just can’t absorb if I don’t - so it must be me . Then I met someone who reads 80 to 100 books a year and she told me she remembers nothing about them . Phew - it’s not me .
Slow reading with marginalia is actually a superpower for understanding and retention. What you described is a textbook case of elaborative rehearsal, which strengthens memory and comprehension far more than racing through books
So glad to hear this resonated, Rita! And thank you for confirming it with your own experience—especially as someone who’s experimented and seen what works. Sometimes the best learning methods aren’t “fast” or flashy, but consistent and intentional. I’d love to hear what your personal additions are, too—feel free to share!
how frequently do you recommend that summarization step? You described doing it at the end of the book, but by that time you've probably already forgotten a lot of other parts within it. Are you better off summarizing the lessons from every reading session, or is that too time consuming?
Great question, Michael—and you're absolutely right: by the time we finish a book, we've already forgotten a lot. That’s why I recommend combining summarization with a spaced repetition system. Instead of summarizing everything at once, try jotting down key insights as you read (just a sentence or two), and then feed them into a tool like Anki or Neuracache. These systems resurface your notes at just the right time to interrupt forgetting—without needing to reread or rewrite everything. It’s a high-leverage habit that takes minutes, but builds long-term recall.
Love this! As a former teacher, I used to teach the benefit of flashcards, and where information goes when you read it versus writing it versus creating an image. I love seeing this here!
But so I have a question: I have a hard time, retaining information that people told me… Such as “I had shoulder surgery last year “.
Thank you, Jo! You’re spot on—how we engage with information (read, write, visualize, say aloud) changes how it sticks. As for remembering things people say (like personal details)—here’s a trick I use: immediately link it to something visual or personal. For example, if someone tells you they had shoulder surgery, imagine them in a sling, or think of someone else you know who had the same. Then repeat it mentally once or twice: “Jo—shoulder surgery, last year.” Bonus: jot it down after the conversation, if appropriate. This combo of retrieval + visualization + connection can really help!
A very interesting and useful article thank you. I too have questioned my ability to retain information I’ve read, but this article has shown that I’m not alone. have a technical job, and try to use the Feynman technique when learning new concepts; the approach to learning and remembering is very similar to the advice you’ve given - for example, explaining a something to a child, or writing down a concept to consolidate understanding.
Appreciate this so much, especially your connection to the Feynman technique! It’s one of my all-time favorites and aligns perfectly with the elaboration strategy in the article. You're definitely not alone in the struggle to retain what you read, and it’s great to hear you’re already applying these techniques in a high-stakes, technical field.
Not as simple as that as it ignores 2 very basic principles:
1. If most of what you read is trivial and superficial, unless you are a very superficial person(?) , there is no incentive to retain such stuff.
2. You have to value what you read to retain it. In religious cultures it is common for people to be able to remember entire holy books (such as the Koran, the Bible, Buddhist and Hindu texts, the Talmud etc) because these are the basis of their life.
No books written today(such as the few you mentioned, self help/improvement genre) have any real substance, so they aren’t really valued, aren’t worth retaining in memory, and to be blunt , weren’t worth reading in the first place.
I’d gently challenge the idea that contemporary books lack value. While not every title will resonate deeply, what’s “worth remembering” is often subjective. Some readers find life-changing insight in a startup guide; others in scripture. I’m more interested in helping people remember what matters to them. Grateful you added this deeper layer to the conversation.
Reading this was like squashing that voice in my head that questions my intelligence. I didn’t know there was science behind my learning behavior, let alone a method to improve. I could have used this info decades ago before college. I do enjoy learning, so this will come in handy.
Thank you, James. That inner voice questioning our intelligence can be relentless—and you're not alone. One of the most liberating discoveries in the science of learning is that forgetting is normal, not a sign of failure. I’m so glad this piece was helpful—and that your enjoyment of learning now has a sturdier foundation to stand on.
It’s never too late to learn how to learn!! :)
Warmly,
Eva
Thank you thank you! The universe came through again! I was just trying to think of a way to stop forgetting terms and things this morning. It’s frustrating to know it then not know it 5 minutes later. 🙃
Ahh yes, that feeling! So glad this came at the right time. You’re not alone—forgetting is part of learning. You’ve got this 💫
Spaced repetition works only if you never stop. I spent over a year learning Russian vocabulary with Anki, and it was very effective until I stopped. I’d say I’ve now lost 98% of what I’d learned. Perhaps I could now relearn it easier than the initial learning, but it’s worth noting this limitation of spaced repetition.
Absolutely love this reflection, Peter. You're spot on about one of the paradoxes of spaced repetition: it’s powerful, but also brittle if discontinued. The forgetting curve doesn’t stop just because we once learned something well.
That said, I suspect—like you hinted—that you’ve built latent structures that would make relearning significantly faster. Think of it like a trail in the forest: overgrown now, yes, but easier to find and retrace than cutting a path from scratch.
Also, this touches on a deeper idea: that learning systems work best when they’re intertwined with purpose. A vocabulary card is easier to remember when it's tied to a conversation, a memory, a need.
Thanks for the thoughtful post—these are the kinds of insights that sharpen how we think about memory and learning over time.
True! But, the thing is, the more times you have revisited it, the longer you can go without having to repeat it. It doesn’t have to mean, “oh no, I have to do flash cards on 1000 words every week or I will forget.” It can mean, flash cards every week for 25 ords, and the ones you remember easily you can skip a week, then if 2 weeks later you still were able to recall them (the *act of recalling* is the key here, not just reviewing), then you can skip a month, and so on. It’s sort of magical, really.
It’s some effort at first, but if something is important it can be done.
There is a great comic somewhere online that describes this and gives a simple-to-implement method…I’m going to find it and link it in another comment on the main article.
It’s interesting that we feel frustrated that we can’t remember the essential details of a book (I feel the same way) and yet we take in information daily (news, TV, movies, songs, conversations) and never give a second thought to not remembering it. Maybe we should just concentrate on filling our minds with good things and not worry about it?
Excellent tips! There’s a difference between reading and studying. With studying, you stop yourself to think about what you’ve read.
Yes! That pause makes all the difference. Reading becomes thinking. Love how you put it.
Really insightful take! I have a question for anyone reading this—do you feel like you’ll retain what you read today, or would revisiting this article later give you an entirely new perspective?
I’ve been thinking a lot about real-time communication versus the slower, more processed way we absorb written content. It’s fascinating how the way we read—whether it’s an article, a book, or even a post on a screen—can vary so much from person to person. Forgetting what we read is such a common struggle, and it makes me wonder: how much of what we consume actually sticks with us long-term?
Excited to explore more on Substack! Thanks for sharing this—it’s such an interesting discussion about memory, learning, and how we engage with text in a digital world.
Warm Regards,
Blake
Such a thoughtful reflection, Blake—thank you for starting this thread. You’re right: the way we engage with text does vary widely, and that shapes both what we absorb and retain. Research suggests we reconstruct meaning each time we revisit content, which means coming back to this article days or weeks later might not just refresh memory—it might also spark new connections. It’s why spaced retrieval works so well: each recall attempt isn’t just review; it’s re-encoding at a deeper level.
Your distinction between real-time communication and the slow simmer of written reflection is so compelling. I’d love to explore this more. Maybe the act of returning—of rereading with a different self—is a form of learning we often overlook.
Looking forward to connecting more on Substack!
Eva
Eva, your response is a gem—thank you for illuminating this thread with such clarity! I’m captivated by how you’ve framed our engagement with text as a living process, where each revisit rewires meaning anew.
That notion of spaced retrieval as re-encoding—it’s brilliant, like sculpting memory into something richer with every touch. The science sings through your words, and it’s a tune I can’t stop humming.
Your pull toward the tension between instant dialogue and the slow unfurling of written thought has me nodding eagerly. There’s a quiet magic in returning to a piece with fresh eyes, isn’t there? It’s as if we’re meeting an old friend who’s grown alongside us, offering lessons we missed before. I’d love to dive deeper into that with you—it’s a subtle art of learning that deserves more light.
I’m thrilled to keep this spark alive on Substack—your perspective is a joy to tangle with, Eva! Blake
I (almost) want to cry. I talk to people all the time about my inability to remember ANYTHING I read. And I too have read A LOT, seemingly for no use. I seem to be an expert at cramming, but that all evaporates after I no longer need the information. It's super frustrating trying to recall what I've read to someone else because it comes out choppy, disconnected, and difficult for the listener to follow my train of thought. So glad this little nugget dropped out of the Substack algorithm today. ☺️ We'll see if I can't make some improvements.
Your comment made me smile and nod in recognition. Cramming gives us the illusion of competence, but not the kind of sticky, useful knowledge we can actually use or share.
You’re already on the right track just by becoming aware of the gap and wanting to close it. I’m so glad this post found you at the right time.
Thank you for sharing these strategies. I love to learn, and I read, take notes, and review notes every day. I have learned a lot this way, but I think your strategies will help me improve my memory. I’m going to try them.
Thanks so much, Mark! I’m honored this resonated with you. It sounds like you already have a solid learning practice in place.
"Next time you pick up a book, slow down."
Good article. Although I think my main takeaway isn't what the author intended. Yes, there's a time for learning, but there is also a time for just being. For me, slowing down sometimes just means reading for being in the moment. Sometimes, I want it to come in, and then just go out. I'm pretty sure there's something to that. I mean, you may not be able to explain the 80 books you read, but some of it is floating around in you. And I think that's what slowing down is all about. Just do things for their sake, if you learn something, great. You always learn something.
But I guess that's what makes the post good, you can learn even more than what the author intended. Thanks, Eva!
I love what you said about reading for being. I totally agree that not all reading needs to be mined for productivity or turned into bullet points. And yes, even when we don’t remember specifics, something always stays with us. I’m glad the article held space for multiple takeaways, including yours.
Wow ! I was thinking about this a couple of days ago . I’m a sloooooowwww reader . Lots of marginalia and thinking on paper about what I’ve read . I thought I just can’t absorb if I don’t - so it must be me . Then I met someone who reads 80 to 100 books a year and she told me she remembers nothing about them . Phew - it’s not me .
Slow reading with marginalia is actually a superpower for understanding and retention. What you described is a textbook case of elaborative rehearsal, which strengthens memory and comprehension far more than racing through books
Thank you for this HELPFUL and VERY USEFUL breakdown of methods to help retain information for deeper understanding.
I can practically relate as I, as a “slow” learner, have found through my personal experience that these (and a couple of my own) methods DO WORK!
So glad to hear this resonated, Rita! And thank you for confirming it with your own experience—especially as someone who’s experimented and seen what works. Sometimes the best learning methods aren’t “fast” or flashy, but consistent and intentional. I’d love to hear what your personal additions are, too—feel free to share!
how frequently do you recommend that summarization step? You described doing it at the end of the book, but by that time you've probably already forgotten a lot of other parts within it. Are you better off summarizing the lessons from every reading session, or is that too time consuming?
Great question, Michael—and you're absolutely right: by the time we finish a book, we've already forgotten a lot. That’s why I recommend combining summarization with a spaced repetition system. Instead of summarizing everything at once, try jotting down key insights as you read (just a sentence or two), and then feed them into a tool like Anki or Neuracache. These systems resurface your notes at just the right time to interrupt forgetting—without needing to reread or rewrite everything. It’s a high-leverage habit that takes minutes, but builds long-term recall.
Love this! As a former teacher, I used to teach the benefit of flashcards, and where information goes when you read it versus writing it versus creating an image. I love seeing this here!
But so I have a question: I have a hard time, retaining information that people told me… Such as “I had shoulder surgery last year “.
Any tricks to retain that stuff ?
Thanks
Thank you, Jo! You’re spot on—how we engage with information (read, write, visualize, say aloud) changes how it sticks. As for remembering things people say (like personal details)—here’s a trick I use: immediately link it to something visual or personal. For example, if someone tells you they had shoulder surgery, imagine them in a sling, or think of someone else you know who had the same. Then repeat it mentally once or twice: “Jo—shoulder surgery, last year.” Bonus: jot it down after the conversation, if appropriate. This combo of retrieval + visualization + connection can really help!
A very interesting and useful article thank you. I too have questioned my ability to retain information I’ve read, but this article has shown that I’m not alone. have a technical job, and try to use the Feynman technique when learning new concepts; the approach to learning and remembering is very similar to the advice you’ve given - for example, explaining a something to a child, or writing down a concept to consolidate understanding.
Appreciate this so much, especially your connection to the Feynman technique! It’s one of my all-time favorites and aligns perfectly with the elaboration strategy in the article. You're definitely not alone in the struggle to retain what you read, and it’s great to hear you’re already applying these techniques in a high-stakes, technical field.
You’re very welcome - good article thank you.
This is fantastic. I’m so glad SubStack put this on my feed! Subscribed.
Thanks Gabriela!
Not as simple as that as it ignores 2 very basic principles:
1. If most of what you read is trivial and superficial, unless you are a very superficial person(?) , there is no incentive to retain such stuff.
2. You have to value what you read to retain it. In religious cultures it is common for people to be able to remember entire holy books (such as the Koran, the Bible, Buddhist and Hindu texts, the Talmud etc) because these are the basis of their life.
No books written today(such as the few you mentioned, self help/improvement genre) have any real substance, so they aren’t really valued, aren’t worth retaining in memory, and to be blunt , weren’t worth reading in the first place.
I’d gently challenge the idea that contemporary books lack value. While not every title will resonate deeply, what’s “worth remembering” is often subjective. Some readers find life-changing insight in a startup guide; others in scripture. I’m more interested in helping people remember what matters to them. Grateful you added this deeper layer to the conversation.
Sorry, I missed what you were saying…