The more important and practical implication of the classification of our memory system is: Although the total capacity of our memory is huge, we have a very different capacity of each category.
And, to most of us, we are somewhat like an iPhone.
Do you see the point? Semantic memory is the files and documents and e-books that we put in that tiny piece of gadget from Steve Jobs, while episodic memory is the songs. Yes, in theory, you can squeeze a whole lot of books and files into an iPhone, but that's not what Apple designed it for, and, when you use the software, there's always a sense of inconvenience.
iPhone is best for storing and playing songs.
Therefore, the system works better when we convert documents to songs, and facts to stories.
As for the latter, there are two ways in general:
- clinical exposure and experience
- understanding the theory
PS. You may wonder why I put so much effort to study the physiology of memory. (In fact, I began my interest soon after I entered the university.)
Jove, you read the instruction of your lap-top computer or iPhone before using it, don't you ?
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