Google is Changing the Way We Remember Things: Study

A new study claimed that Internet search engines, like Google, are changing the way we think and remember things.

The study called The Google Effect, led by psychologist Betsy Sparrow of Columbia University, suggested that Google is changing the way our brains choose to remember information.

Researchers found that the use of search engines has reorganized human memory in terms of where it goes for information and that we no longer rely as much on our memories.

The evidence is founded in a series of four different experiments that were carried out by Sparrow and her colleagues, Daniel M. Wegner and Jenny Liu, to test how people remembered information if it was stored somewhere accessible (i.e., the Internet).

In each case, people are more likely to know where to look for information on the Internet, and if it's easy to find, they're more likely to remember where they found it, rather than the information itself.

But, if that the information is not easily accessible online, they are more likely to remember the information.

Our brains rely on the Internet for memory in much the same way they rely on the memory of a friend, family member, or co-worker. We remember less through knowing information itself than by knowing where the information can be found,” Sparrow says.

I love watching baseball, Sparrow said in example of transactive memory. But I know my husband knows baseball facts, so when I want to know something I ask him, and I don't bother to remember it.

Sparrow went on to say that our capability to remember the things that we want to remember has not decreased, but our desire to have.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Swiss Sharply Lower, Sterling Boosted by Retail Sales

Yen remains weak in early US session while dollar continues to stay in tight range against most majors even though it recovers mildly. While yen crosses dominate the top movers chart, it's swissy's weakness in early US session that catches most attention. EUR/CHF soars through 1.5223 resistance and reaches as high as 1.5242 so far while USD/CHF rebounds strong to as high as 1.0741. EUR/CHF will likely extend rally towards 1.53 level and it would be interested to see how far it could take USD/CHF further.

Much stronger than expected retail sales report from UK gives the pound a big boost in European session. Sales rose sharply by 2.7% mom, 2.9% yoy in June versus expectation of 0.3% mom, 2.1% yoy. Nevertheless, the positive picture was somewhat darkened by downward revision in May's data to -0.3% mom, -2.0% yoy. Technically speaking, the picture of the pound remains generally weak. The rebound against dollar is far from convincing comparing to that of Euro and Aussie. EUR/GBP does pull back today it's still kept well above near term support of 0.8546. Looking at GBP/AUD, this week's break near term trend line support suggests that expanding triangle consolidation from 1.9684 should have completed at 2.0979. In other words, GBP/AUD might be resuming the long term down trend that started back in 2008. Hence, Aussie is still preferred against sterling in case of further risk appetite rally.

Other economy data released today saw US initial jobless claims rose to 554k. Continuing claims fell by more than expected 88k to 6.2m, lowest since mid-April. Eurozone current account deficit narrowed more than expected to EUR -1.2B. Japan trade surplus widened less than expected to 0.44T yen.

USD/CHF Mid-Day Outlook

USD/CHF's rebound from 1.0622 extends further to as high as 1.0741 in early US session and is touching 4 hours 55 EMA. At this point, some more recovery might still be seen but after all, we'd expect upside to be limited below 1.0816 resistance and bring fall resumption. Consolidation from 1.0590 should have completed already and whole fall from 1.1963 is likely resuming. Current decline is treated as the last leg in the five wave sequence from 1.1963 and will target 1.0366 low next. Break of 1.0590 low will confirm this bearish view. However, above 1.0816 will mix up short term outlook and turn focus back to 1.0938 resistance.

In the bigger picture, there is no change in the broader view that price actions from 1.2296 are consolidation to whole medium term rise from 0.9634 only, with fall from 1.1963 as the third leg. Indeed, the possible five wave structure of such decline from 1.1963 argues that it's the last leg of consolidation and is near to completion. Hence, while another fall is likely and a marginal low below 1.0366 cannot be ruled out, downside should be contained by 61.8% projection of 1.1740 to 1.0590 from 1.1021 at 1.0310 to complete the fall from 1.1963 and the consolidation from 1.2296. On the upside, above 1.0938 resistance will in turn argue that fall from 1.1963 has completed and break of 1.1021 will solidify the bullish case and pave the way for strong rebound.

Economic Indicators Update

Forex and Dow Jones recommended levels

July 21, 2009

GMT 07:37

EUR/USD

Today€™s support: - 1.4154 and 1.4130(main), where correction is possible. Break would give 1.4112, where correction also may be. Then follows 1.4065. Break of the latter would result in 1.4042. If a strong impulse, we would see 1.4023. Continuation will give 1.3972.

Today€™s resistance: - 1.4245 and 1.4273(main). Break would give 1.4308, where a correction is possible. Then goes 1.4327. Break of the latter would result in 1.4348. If a strong impulse, we€™d see 1.4370. Continuation will give 1.4396.

USD/JPY

Today€™s support: - 93.63, 93.20 and 93.00(main). Break would bring 92.64, where correction is possible. Then 92.26, where a correction may also happen. Break of the latter will give 91.80. If a strong impulse, we would see 91.62. Continuation would give 91.36.

Today€™s resistance: - 94.46, 94.72 and 94.95(main), where a correction may happen. Break would bring 95.18, where also a correction may be. Then 95.36. If a strong impulse, we would see 95.78. Continuation will give 96.43.

DOW JONES INDEX

Today€™s support: - 8696.30(main), where a delay and correction may happen. Break of the latter will give 8677.37, where correction also can be. Then follows 8635.43 Be there a strong impulse, we would see 8606.00. Continuation will bring 8550.30.

Today€™s resistance: - 8884.68 and 8912.77(main), where a delay and correction may happen. Break would bring 8943.06, where a correction may happen. Then follows 8976.50, where a delay and correction could also be. Be there a strong impulse, we€™d see 9003.60. Continuation would bring 9014.26 and 9027.13.

Kim Kardashian

Ape Takes up AK 47, Fires at Soldiers (VIDEO)

West African soldiers hand over an AK 47 gun to an ape, not expecting the ape to fire back.
Here's the video

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian