The Scam Called “You Don't Have to Remember Anything” In this detailed post, Sascha critiques the widespread belief promoted by search engines, certain note-taking apps, and AI that memory and effort in learning are obsolete. This notion compares relying on external tools for knowledge to using candles instead of electric light. Key Points Critical Pre-Knowledge Required: Effective searching and information use online demand solid prior knowledge and critical thinking skills, as highlighted by Manfred Spitzer and Rowlands et al. Digital Natives Problem: Many users, especially "digital natives," lack critical and analytical skills necessary to evaluate information, leading to superficial engagement that fails to deepen understanding or thinking ability. Hidden Cost of Convenience: Tools claiming to relieve the need for memory actually reduce one's cognitive engagement and thinking capabilities. The Importance of Remembering You must remember in-depth knowledge to evaluate and build upon information meaningfully. Cognitive tasks and knowledge work rely on a robust "mental map" of a subject. Mind training methods like spaced repetition and the Zettelkasten Method help cement knowledge to perform complex tasks. Demonstration of the Issue Sascha shares a ChatGPT-generated weekly fitness schedule for health span and longevity, covering aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility, and coordination. | Day | Workout Type | Focus | Duration | Details | |----------|-----------------------------|------------------------------|-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | Monday | Full-Body Strength Training | Muscle mass, metabolic health | 45–60 min | Warm-up, squats, deadlifts, core exercises, cool-down | | Tuesday | Low-Intensity Cardio & Mobility | Heart health, joint function | 30–60 min | Brisk walking, cycling, yoga | | Wednesday| High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) | Cardiovascular fitness, metabolism | 20–30 min | Sprints, bodyweight circuit, cool-down | | Thursday | Active Recovery & Balance | Recovery, neuromuscular coordination | 30–45 min | Yoga, tai chi, balance drills | | Friday | Upper-Body Strength & Core | Upper-body strength, core stability | 45–60 min | Press, pull-ups, push-ups, rows, core exercises | | Saturday | Moderate-Intensity Cardio | Endurance, cardiovascular health | 45–60 min | Jogging, cycling, swimming, steady heart rate | | Sunday | Mobility & Flexibility | Recovery, flexibility | 30–60 min | Yoga, foam rolling | The schedule may appear effective, but assessing its quality requires deep knowledge: How do volume and intensity affect strength gains? What's the difference between aerobic capacity and power? How to balance time spent on flexibility versus aerobic and strength training? Without deep expertise, one cannot confidently evaluate such advice—even if AI provides it. Why Deep Knowledge Matters Terms like aerobic capacity evoke rich, complex associations and debates for experts, covering physiology, exercise science, and research literature. Knowledge work is bottlenecked by internal processing bandwidth—the brain's innate ability and training—not the external availability of information. Conclusion The myth that "you don't have to remember anything" is false. True cognitive work demands remembering everything to perform meaningful thinking and decision-making. Training your mind with deliberate methods is essential to advance knowledge work. --- References Manfred Spitzer, Digitale Demenz (2012): Emphasizes the need for prior knowledge in effective internet searches. 2.