Is Google Killing Your Memory?

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We're all living in the age of Google. What are search engines and technology doing to our memory?
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The fMRI images are from this study-How Google is reshaping your brain: • How Google is Reshapin...
The scientific paper [$]: www.ajgponline.org/article/S10...
I was also inspired by this study-How memory works differently in the age of Google: • Memory Works Different...
The scientific paper [$]: www.sciencemag.org/content/333...
Music: Bass Walker by Kevin MacLeod/incompetech.com
Thanks to Derek Muller for his help reviewing this script and earlier versions of this video.

[@JamieHyatt]

I would LOVE to know the social effects of teasing and why teasing is present in healthy relationships.

[@braincraft]

Thanks a great question, thanks. I'll add it to my list for future videos.

[@Themostamazinguy]

+BrainCraft please do it. awesome suggestion

[@MsGraveDiggeRRRR]

Is there a way to revert the Google Effect? If yes, How?

[@PrayerBear]

Um because it’s fun

[@DynamicSaff]

0:51. That moment when you figure out that Vanessa's phone number is actually pi. :(

[@kellyhe3012]

314-159-2653 xD ( oh and i remembered that i didnt search it up :3)

[@DynamicSaff]

lol!

[@floppythechangeling6694]

DynamicSa

[@fakjbf]

I feel a great way to show this would have been to ask a question about the initial story, such as "What year did the plane crash?". Few people would have been able to answer correctly without going back to the beginning, because instead of remembering specific parts of the story, you would have remembered the general flow of it and so known where to look for the date, the first couple seconds of the video.

[@scottypeters9824]

"Silly plane man can't fly."

[@martijnvangammeren1868]

2009 and yes i rememberd.

[@OptimisticMoose]

That was what I was fully expecting. A question like "Where did the plane leave from?"

[@Pandor18]

but people without internet neither remember that type of facts. we remember what need to remember, with goolge and demas we NEED remember less and less and can focus in how use that usefull resources

[@fakjbf]

David Duarte The point of the video was that because of things like Google, we remember differently, not that we remember less. We have a broader knowledge base because instead of remembering actual facts, we remember where to find them. Hence why instead of remembering that the plane crashed in 2009, a person who uses a lot of technology would remember that they said the date in the first couple seconds.

[@ohheycrystalhey]

Ohhh my gosh I'm so excited for this channel! I love brains. You should talk about the brain and music! How songs get stuck in your head, why major chords sound happy and minor chords sound sad, why music therapy works. Thank you!

[@sharplikerazor]

This is so good! Great video Vanessa! It's something I've thought of often, whether it's dangerous that I rely increasingly on my external brain that I carry around in my pocket for the 'declarative' bits of info. Great work, can't wait to see more!

[@ilovefunny3]

I'm so excited for this new channel! I know this is slightly off topic, but I'd like a video (or videos) on different professions or career paths associated with neuroscience.

[@micachimera]

It may be that remembering to find something is actually superior to remembering the facts themselves. After all, remembering the title of some list on Wikipedia will mean that your source of information is constantly updated and peer reviewed, not to mention free of the distortion that happens when we remember things for ourselves.

[@francoisedso]

As a Psychologist, I love your videos, especially since there are so many things I have forgotten or it's just nice to remember. Awesome job :)

[@ArnavDhamija]

I saw the air crash you mentioned in the beginning of the video on Air Crash Investigations/Mayday (I think S09E03). The pilot was overworked and very tired and this led to him making the wrong decision of pitching the nose up as the plane reached a stalling airspeed. IIRC, the thunderstorm/ice-buildup had nothing to do with the accident. I don't think the plane crash is really related to the contents of this video, but thanks for sharing anyway :)

[@Lisamzm]

I look forward to seeing what you put on here. I can see using this as a quick, fun way to get my kids focused in the morning in class.

[@mr.eeeeeeeeee]

Just subscribed and liked.... Loved it! I got to show off the video to my dad and will be sending to friends. Love your Vids. Keep it up!!

[@fikkitchen]

Seems similar to Asapscience, Minutephysics and Minuteearth! :) Lovin' it! Keep it up!

[@JayDeFbaby]

Good to know where I can find these videos ;)

[@Nekinzhiwii]

Congratulations on the project! I'm pretty proud to watch this channel from the beginning haha I've always had some burning questions, since I'm some kind of nihilistic guy and a criticist of what other people do (I'll ask about "we" anyway): 1.- Why do we have the "need" to procreate +follow up: why do we always think about "preserving the human race" 2.- What is this need of attention people people seems to be satisfying on social networks (a.k.a. why would a Like on fb make you so happy) 3.- You could make a video about Guilt: when is it useful, when is it not as social beings and, for example, how could we teach children to feel it correctly (I'm a fan of eyes that don't see heart that doesn't feel, since delating yourself will only make everyone sad. Although I know this would kind of break this social contract of trust, but there we go with number 4) 4.- Why do people want monogamy when it's against what everyone desires. I have thousands more, buy have to study now haha. Good luck on everything!

[@braincraft]

Thanks! Great questions - I'll definitely think about those planning for future episodes :)

[@Catani84]

MinutePhysics 2.0 :) Love it. Subscribed

[@ryanmahoneymusic]

Great video! I can't wait to see more.

[@axeman567]

Hi first comment

[@IdiotWithoutBorders]

What is the correlation between music and your brains reaction? Does it depend on major, minor chords, rhythm, etc.? Why do we enjoy music at all and why does it satisfy us so much? What are the causes of different tastes in music, say certain people prefer rock, while some other people prefer rap and son? Please do a video on this!!!! Its been on my mind for ages!!!

[@WonderWhy]

I studied psychology at university so I'm looking forward to some more videos!

[@braincraft]

Thanks! I'm a psych grad too ;)

[@BradsSpace2]

Nice first video, keep it up.

[@ThyUnholyBacon]

cant wait to see more videos buy you guys, as long as i can remember to ;-)

[@beema_33]

Neuroscience/psychology was always a field i was so fascinated in, but never took on the challenge through uni (#regret). I'm glad I discovered this channel and look forward to some great content! ps. ScienceAlert's facebook page just posted about your channel, so expect a big influx of subscribers!

[@braincraft]

Thanks Brendan! I studied psychology at uni and actually threw out all of my textbooks last year. Lucky I have Google.

[@PaddyKret]

I asked you a Qu on your first video EVER, and you lead me to this! Thanks;)

[@QronoZ713]

This does look a lot like minutite physics, which is awesome! I'll definetly subscribe! I two questions too! How can you train your brain to get a better memory? And can you make the brain become faster thinking? Greetings from Sweden!

[@TheNerdReport]

Hey Vanessa, I really like this video! I found your channel on Derek's Twitter and I'm glad that I took a look. I'm going to spread this video around and see if we can do something about you only having 49 subscribers. Keep up the great work, I'm excited to see where this channel takes you! Best Wishes, Jon

[@braincraft]

That's awesome, thanks Jon!

[@zezosk]

+BrainCraft wow from 49 subscribers to this.... almost 200k now. amazing channel and i hope for it to grow even more.

[@natashahillocks-chambers4912]

+BrainCraft Hey could you do a video on maladaptive daydreaming? Because most videos that I find on this topic aren't too good in quality.

[@mickblock]

I picked up on the non declarative vs. declarative learning concept right away. Not sure that's been working out for me too good I'm just saying I immediately was able to relate to the idea. Good video as usual.

[@JanoRamos]

Thanks for the upload.

[@roberthelring6372]

This is so true how you prove it Google maps i moved to a new state and use Google maps to get around been here five years still use Google Maps even get down the street before this like I. The 90s I would learn a new area in a week

[@FingerThatO]

The lazyness is making people dumb. You have a huge mass of information of the world and the universe but people just decided to watch cat videos.

[@davidamoon4]

A guy who can't properly spell laziness is saying other people are dumb. I love the internet. Although, I do have to agree with the sentiment of the comment.

[@FingerThatO]

English isn't my first language. Just a thought

[@gatinha]

its funny because in the top most subcribed youtube channels there are at least 5 that are cientific and informative

[@FingerThatO]

Why is #1 pewdiepie?

[@gatinha]

Misael Cifuentes because some people like to have a good time watching something fun, nobody studies the 24/7, in fact the grand majority that studies cience with frequency usually spend not more two hours or so, the rest they spend consuming media, or just simply trying to waste time entertaining themselves which makes total sense for pewdiepie being number one in subscriptions, still that doesnt mean people are stupid or lazy, its just that they spend more time entertaining theirselves. but still, it would be much more productive if your entertainment comes from what you like to do/studies, in my case i love motion design, modelling and animation, so i love watching those stuff with certain frequency, and its what i probaly imagine is the case for you, which in case doesnt mean your smarter or dumber, just that you know how to deal with tools/understanding your area better, but some people are more likely to entertain themselves with cience as well, which i freaking love. im not going to try correcting english mispells since english is not my native language aswel, so sorry if theres anything wrong, thats just my opinion based on what i see, and also sorry if i offended you in any way, peace

[@moogle68]

Can you do a video where you simplify or examine dissociation? I am curious about what actually happens during dissociation and during events such as out of body experiences.

[@IntegralMoon]

Music was just a little too loud. But other than that, great first video :) I've subscribed!

[@UHFStation1]

That plane crash was near to where I live. My sister said she heard it even though I was closer at the time but didn't. The families of those that died are still fighting for better pilot training as well as compensation for their loses. The blackbox recordings were a bit disturbing.

[@MsLilbob987]

I would love to know about the psychology and neuroscience of motivation (both self and in a team)!!

[@yanshengpuen2989]

My questions: where does that "little voice" in our head come from? how to babies (who have not learnt any languages) and deaf people think? i keep getting the same nightmare everytime i have a fever, but i just can't recall it or visualize it, it's just terrifying mentally. what is it?

[@AUSxHIDDENBLADE]

Well made video, keep it up.

[@thomasrobinson1478]

I love this channel!

[@jacobdeimler]

First great videos. I know this is besides the point but I feel that an emergency maneuver for a pilot should be a nondeclarative memory, but I suppose that's a good example of the automation paradox.

[@TimothyChapman]

You don't have to tell me that pulling back was the wrong option. I've used XP5, XP9, XP10, FS98, FS2002, FS2004, FSX, and OSFS. I'm also going into Aerospace Engineering (don't worry, automation on my aircraft will be off by default, so that the pilot doesn't forget how to recover from a stall). Great video by the way.

[@rocketman528]

This is great!

Seems eerily similar to minutephysics. Anyway, this video was great, and the channel looks promising. I guess I'll subscribe to see how it turns out. Also, it might be worth pointing out that I was referred here from Brainscoop.

[@mlbv1]

because of sat nav, i have pretty much lost my sense of direction, however, because when you lose one sense, your other senses become stronger to compensate, i now have an amazing sense of occasion....

[@nickmagrick7702]

the way I prevent this is I think about what I read and apply it to something else I already know. That way I learn something, and have an association to make the memory much stronger and reliable. Such as learning what a neurotransmitter is, then looking up what makes that neurotransmitter, how to create more, what physical actions affect the production of the precursors to that transmitter ect ect.

[@kellyhe3012]

yeah, no. wont work with me, how am i supposed to apply computer coding to my life.

[@nickmagrick7702]

you dont need to apply code to your life. that doesnt even make sense. Im saying relate the information you find to something you have already learned. Your less likely to be fooled and more likely to remember information if you have associations to it.

[@custos3249]

Psychology question, hmm? More of a suggestion, really. If you haven't done anything on it yet, I'd recommend something on what science suggests are the important factors in dating, debunking some folk psychology in respect, and how things such as the misattribution of arousal can potentially complicate the situation. Great work!

[@fjrfathurahman]

can you explain more about internet/ online addiction, i guess i've jumped into this kind of thing, because i feel bored, lonely and etc becuase i'm not connected to the internet, what happens to my brain, i want to fix it

[@patrickkaaskoppie6543]

A pilot increasing the angle of attack when approaching a stall... You have any idea how much you train on that kind of emergency situations? Also, it's a mandatory exercise at examination. I'm not sure this is a good example for this rly, that should have been an automated response. Clearly you cannot ever look up anything in a situation like this, it's practise practise practise till you do it without any conscious thought really. Pretty much like shifting gear when driving a car. You don't forget that because you can google it...ofcourse in normal flight you don't stall but you do have company exercise programs to keep this kind of emergency training up to date you have some very interesting videos, glad I found this channel

[@JoshuaChowabc]

A well done video!

[@swordsunknown5226]

I hope this channel will never be in drama in 2022!

[@karlslicher8520]

Digital information can be changed in an instant. It is also important to retain a normal learning pattern rather than just gleaming the single facts as required. Things need to be remembered in context and with surrounding or the brain will dump the info in the trivia section and you may remember it, you may not. I prefer to use the internet as a library with varied accuracy.

[@vlkr3355]

Not on the topic of the video, but the Google Doodle at 2:06 is of the Doctor Who 50th anniversary !!! Ah memories... speaking of which, is there any meaningful difference between how the brain memorizes events (e.g., going downtown during the weekend) vs. memorization of stated facts (e.g. "A downtown area has fewer residential, and more business-related, buildings")?

[@H410M45T3R]

Its worth noting that people in the 18th century had the same worries about young people being over-reliant on books and written texts. Kids back then were glued to their books the same way kids today are glued to their iPhones, and parents strongly disapproved of it.

[@danieljohnston2474]

Love the video, but I do have one small issue with it. Fatigue played a MAJOR role in the crash of Colgan 3407. No matter how well trained someone is, fatigue will decrease their performance.

[@xXSnowxWitchXx]

I am sure someone has mentioned this, and not that this is irrelevant or anything... But I love how Doctor Who was on Google when this video was made. 2:07

[@chiromdraws]

The most interesting video ever👍

[@MrCaiobrz]

So fast to judge the Colgan crash ... except you don't mention it was landing, low, in low visibility, and the pilots where stressed. It was not memory error, was just fatigue and little training =p

[@shanemckinney8209]

When i read my books on CompTIA or CCNA i seem to remember things more than reading anything else or searching anything else other than about architecture of computers and software workings. Is my brain programmed in a way to deal with computers better because i have a passion for them and interested logically not emotionally like Vsauce Sci show or Brain craft videos

[@robroywoodman]

fakjbf poses an interesting experiment as a way of testing declarative memory. Do you recall the date of the plane crash mentioned at the beginning of the video? Here is where we have the intersection of memory and attention. If you don't attend to something it will not be in your memory. Now that we know that the memory works the same no matter if one is exposed to technology or not, another interesting question might be what the effect of technology is on attention.

[@paulgrimmond6296]

Hi @Braincraft While I see why you have used flight 3407 as an example, as a pilot I can say that this accident is more than certainly due to a lack of training and bad rosters. Many pilots, even those with some experience wind up crashing for the same reason. Imagine you are driving a pre ABS equipped car and a kangaroo jumps out in front of you. Most people with that type of vehicle hit the kangaroo head on with the wheel opposite lock to the direction it was heading (which is dead strait from the moment brakes locked up, irrespective of the angle of the steering wheels). An experienced driver would still miss the kangaroo every time because she doesn't panic and takes action that usually seems counter intuitive, ie. take the foot off the brake and steer. Same thing applies here. Once an incipient has developed on a plane like this though, it really is game over. However in both cases an abundance of information or 'google' I believe would have had no effect on the outcome. Training is the only real way of working through these problems. Both mum and myself love the videos you are doing, and hopefully say g'day at some point!

[@carnaldesangre]

This video made me wonder about: Our relationship with dogs, or cats.., and how we are so well adapted to them, or them to us. Could we do the same with any other animal if given enough time to form the bond? Random, I know.

[@kohZeei]

question. if could and would travel at the speed of light, and also had a tv with you that recieved a signal, how would the picture be changed?

[@braincraft]

Thanks for the question Toby - that sounds like a good one for Derek Muller rather than us! Any ideas, Derek?

[@grace-ok5dp]

This is informative, but will this effect the school system, after all, teachers could be affected (remember the tounge map)?

[@williamhammer3613]

I have a question : How subconscious mind affect on conscious mind and vice versa? I have read many articles about the question but the answers aren't clear.

[@AllNationCrew]

Yeah! Australian scientific youtuber!

[@caren8053]

I wonder how ADHD can affect people to think or act like? I am one of the patient, and I am not diagnose. I knew that through a website and I have 90 percent of the behavior. I wanted to know more about it, and the main question is, is that normal if I behave like this?

[@TheWiepi]

What I don't quite get about the pilot story: saving the plane by doing some emergency routine would be (or should be) accessing a nondeclarative memory, no? You would expect a pilot to have the skill to save the plane, not to have to look up what to do. But then why would the Google effect be of importance here: I don't forget how to ride my bike (nondeclarative) just because I google stuff for homework etc. (declarative).

[@luisg17188]

I enjoyed watching this entertaining and educational, cant wait to see more!

[@nouraldein3453]

Is there any published paper about Google effect?

[@cherrishbird2376]

My memory has fell to shit over the years and I'm still in my young adult years. I'm almost always on the computer though and I've been like that for a good 6ish years now. Could it be that I spend to much time on the computer?

[@rkkann]

I could see the google doodle of the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who: 2.08. In fact, this video was published exactly 50 years after Doctor Who's debut. A delight for whovians

[@bstore]

cool animation

[@Jmc401]

I remember that crash, it was a few towns away from me

[@pnexus]

For better split second decisions, play challenging video games, it will help your reactive capacity.

[@james4thedoctor482]

Doctor Who Interactive Google Doodle at [2:07]! XD

[@JustFizzyDance]

I absolutely love how Vanessa's phone number is Pi.

[@fortheloveofwisdom]

People brought up the same worry about memory when people started reading books instead of memorizing epic poems. This is covered by Nicholas Carr in his book The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains,

[@klrdgk1]

It seems the pilot would have the skill to fix a planes flight path as nondeclaritive memory. It's not as though when driving a car we forget how to operate it in an emergency. I can see how you might think that poor training would lead to only having this as a declaritive memory. I bet a pilot would think similarly. Any new skills you learn how to go through a process I'm transitioning from declaritive memory to nondeclaritive of memory. As your skill level increases learning to pilot a plane, ride a bike, or even row a boat, you begin to use the craft as an extension of yourself. I think it's an interesting hypothesis of who the plane went down, but it seems unlikely given the rigorous training people go through in order to become pilots.

[@DeviousMalcontent2]

I can't write good code without the internet to look things up when I make mistakes or encounter run time errors.

[@MikeLazarus]

Great video ... can't recall everything in it, but I'm sure I can look it up later :-) Thanks to I fucking love science for sending me here :-)

[@DavidShaw111]

Brilliant Mike! Now, what was it about?

[@MikeLazarus]

David Shaw You'll need to Google it :-)

[@kinpatu]

What was that black square thing inside the Manila folder?

[@arecus54]

A floppy disk

[@kinpatu]

PsychoticCuber yeah i googled it. apparently some kind of magnetic storage device from the 20th century. they say it could hold up to 0.000001TB.

[@arecus54]

Yeah, used to have alot of them

[@kinpatu]

PsychoticCuber looks like my humor was lost :-( oh well...

[@asielsmith6007]

Is ve for veritasium??

[@MegaPedronio]

in your first videos you sound so different, is there a psychological reason?

[@Insider_English]

So does wider brain activity equate to healthier being, or then does the brain also need a rest?!

[@doctorzinegirl]

How is the brain able to recall what something is so quickly? P.S. I am in love with this channel!

[@arecus54]

Nie video, subbed.

[@gibbsm]

me and my friends always give each other time to think with our memory, the answer to a question before we google it :)

[@randomtv-zm5zu]

i don't look up things i just look at what i can find on youtube and then forget that video ever existed

[@bulbyvr]

SO HOW DO YOU PREVENT IT?

[@nabihamoses4511]

I wish us all good luck when we need information on the fly.

[@jeaor22]

Are you saying that the pilot forgot his training because he didn't care to remember it and thought he could look it up on google? I think it's more likely it was an act of desperation or a reflex. I don't think google or the internet had anything to do with his lack of memory.

[@HowlyPhook]

Psychological question: Can comedy/joking make you dumber?

[@HowlyPhook]

I wonder what effects joking and laughter have on the brain. You should make a video. Glad I found this channel just now btw.

[@aednil]

HowlyPhook i would think that, if anything, comedy makes you smarter. after all, in order to get a joke, you need to connect different pieces of information. in order to understand the punchline you need to have some background-information, that isn´t given with the joke itself. and coming up with a joke requires creativity.

[@HowlyPhook]

aednil Thank you. Good points. And what about Music too?

[@aednil]

how do you mean? whether or not musik makes one smarter? well, yeah. it probably does. at least it doesn´t make you dumber. i don´t think there is anyone who is not stimulated by music in some way, be it intelectually or emotionally. and coming up with a new melody, again requires creativity.

[@derekdouglas6147]

I understand the psychology behind depression, but what's the psychology behind suicide or suicidal thoughts?

[@bhaskarverma5070]

since we know all the information inside our brains travel in the form of electric signals... what if we try and mimic those electric signals with flux... can we really alter the experience of that person...

[@alem4831]

I didn't even know this was a thing.... You mean to tell me people don't even bother remembering things anymore? Have I been living under a rock?

[@AsmaaSabiri]

Great video :) You may use some text on the video to make sure difficult words will be understood. There are a lot of subjects you can work on .. Like how to improve memory ? Is there a cure for Alzheimers ? Or how to make yourself a genius ? Is paying attetion to details will prevent you from getting concentration ? How a baby thinks ? How games affect the brain ? what to do for not loosing memory ? Mirror effect ? ...

[@braincraft]

Thanks Asmaa, these are all great subjects. Keep the suggestions coming!

[@GPCTM]

what is VE in the timeline?

[@GPCTM]

+tato982 I sure am glad I've asked. boy! I hope it's not an enfatuation ♥ :-)

[@warlxrd3194]

VE i wa like WHERE IS THE 42 UNDER IT AHH THIS MAKES ME hulk SMOKEE!!!!! weed every day

[@isaacpatton5846]

How come we can "here ourselves think" despite the majority of our brain taking in visual? Wouldn't that mean we see the words in our head, not hear them?

[@Groaznic]

The continuation of this offloading the knowledge to computers is that humans will be taken as not having the information to do split second decisions, and the split second decision making will also be offloaded to computers. There will be a day where driving on public roads won't be legal any more for a human :(

[@MetallicReg]

This is a glorious day for all of humanity and I am looking forward to it. All humans should be forbidden to drive on their own. They are not reliable enough compared with machines.

[@Groaznic]

MetallicReg Not all humans are the same. There are people passionate about cars that will pay utmost attention every second they drive and have impeccable track records. Instead of banning humans from driving, how about a higher-level driver's licence that would be strict enough that only this small subset could obtain.

[@MetallicReg]

***** Absolutely every human is bound to biological boundaries. I speak in the name of the benefit for the entire humanity - not in the name of some people with a special hobby. They can drive on specialized racing tracks after signing to papers stating that they are fully responsible for their own mistakes (I for once live in a country with shared health care and won't accept this kind of people, once the technology is available). The ban for public roads mustn't have any exclusions.

[@michaeloliveira4805]

Groaznic damn :(

[@zeddash]

So we're doing exactly what libraries do - that's pretty smart

[@NaturePath16]

My dad says says the tv is turning my brain to mush, what do you think?

[@tomasgarau5338]

Psychology question: why do I find ur voice so soothing

[@theashunsensation]

I think that in the future humans will eventually become more stupider and weaker individually but as a species will continue to grow stronger and so will the collective consciousness grow more knowledgeable. Perhaps this the next step to our evolution, just like when the first single celled organisms evolved to be multi-cellular , working more efficiently as a whole organism yet becoming weaker on their own humans may be to, unite and work as one species and have one consciousness bonded together by the internet.

[@Kryojenix]

2:07 DOCTOR WHO 50TH ANNIVERSARY GOOGLE HOLIDAY PIC (GAME) FTW!!! =-D