Recording Your Thoughts

I'm guessing you're not married?

That happens to me a lot. I make a simple note on an index card (usually in the dark) and hope I remember in the am?

Wrong guess. I'm 74 and retired.

Not so much now, too burned out.

but in my youth, I would come close to solving it and shoot out of bed and can't get back to sleep and stay awake till morning.

Your brain does not shut down, and there have been studies done about this phenomenon.

Watch the movie "Strange Days" and then tell me if you still think it's a good idea.

If I think of something I'll write it down or E-mail it to my works address.
If I don't then I know I won't get back to sleep for fear of forgetting it.
Del

I live a rather unorganized life. It seems to really keep my memory and recollection skills sharp. I have no problem with remembering what I was thinking about at night or even while I was asleep.

I dream in color, read in my dreams and can typically remember every detail about my dreams and often am able to achieve a waking consciousness in my dreams to the level of being able to control the dream itself. To me that state is basically like reality but without the limitations of physics, chemistry, or logic. Think of it as your daily reality but only limited by your imagination and will. Nothing is impossible or out of reach!

For me sleep is most often when I am able to solve the most difficult problems I am facing. It think its perhaps because my whole mental capacity is available to be put to the problem. Being awake is to much of a cognitive distraction for me.

Go figure.

I find that I only do it when I'm NOT thinking about the problem. At least not actively. If I try to coax it out, even in a relaxed setting it generally won't come. But if I sort of turn it over to my subconscious and let it do the work while I sleep or watch TV, etc. The answer just floats to the top when I least expect it, usually sometime that evening / night. Perfectly clearly and with a sense of "a child could see that!". Weird.

I can pretty much always remember it later though. No need to write it down, etc.

I'd call my current work voice mail and leave a message for myself.

1) Helps to have a phone , mp3 player or other device with which you can record your voice --- and always charge alongside the bed when you sleep. (Sansa 8G)

2) One of those "experts" on sleep (on a morning news-show) stated the importance of lying perfectly STILL as you awaken ... keep eyes closed, and without moving a muscle, try to work-your-way-back into the thought pattern(s) you were having while asleep.

3) Whether at night (trying to doze-off) or while awakening, if an "Aha!" moment sneeks up on you, use the record feature to document the details as clearly as you can... then, at first opportunity, replay your notes and expound on them while writing down.

If you practice , making a habit of this , it WILL actually help you in all recollection activities. I used to constantly forget either my work keys, my wallet, or my glasses.

Those things are no longer a problem...!

Now ... where did I put that darned USB to phone cable so I can upload this newest personal ringtone...?!

How about turning on a small, voice-activated recorder on a nightstand next to the bed as you're going to sleep? Sure it would get snoring, too, but you wouldn't have to wake up as much to just mumble a few thoughts, roll over and go back to sleep. Plus, as a bonus, if you talk in your sleep you'll probably get a hoot out of it the next day.

Ronesto,

Very interesting posting. Depending upon intensity and involvement of a problem, the sub conscious mind keeps bruding on solutions. Even if we are superficially engaged in something else, the solution is on the constant work out. Based on already available inputs, and possible new additions, the mind faculty keeps, digging for solutions.

Some times we have to work out based on the directions received and help to draft solutions. The ERUEKA moments also comes, again to be supported by basic confirmation exercises.

The best way is to constantly keep writing in pad or a pocket book as and when ideas keep flowing in. I used to have a note pad & writing materials always with me through out the day.

The best productive hours are, relaxed travel times without disturbances- train, flight, long bus journeys being alone, late night hours when silence is ruling in, all preferably lone hours, clear focused, cool mind. It is always better to have a note pad to record one's valuable mind deliveries. They are spontaneous and you got to catch it. Recording mind waves ? a long way of course. If your delivery is faster , record by way of date, location, hints and possible diagrams. One should find time to preserve, record and review it.

I happened to read this technic in an American book and it works out really well.

wow...I think i should too start having a small dairy to preserve my thoughts

Let me try out..!!

There's an old technique involving a glass of water. When you go to bed at night, fill yourself a glass of water and place it on the bedside table. Tell yourself, when I wake in the morning and drink this glass of water, I'll remember the answers that I dreamed during the night.

I think it works well if you have a strong will and are really determined to remember.

As for recording your thoughts, the technology is a loooong way off, if ever. I doubt the necessary processing speed will ever be available, even if the interfaces improve. Dragon thinking naturally? Ha ha. For the gullible, you could probably get a hokey conversation bot to pretend to be telling you your thoughts.

telling you your thoughts...
Yeah, but if you have a wife....

I bet that more often than not, the wife wouldn't want her hubby to know what she was thinking either. All humans, afterall, are sexual beings - not just men

Just a woman's 2 cents.

I wasn't thinking along those lines...I was deliberately ambiguous and vague.
My intended implication was that Mrs Cat can read my mind and thus recording my thoughts might be unecessary.
_{You are obviously a naughty minded little minx..}
Del