BS: why WWILF happens

Subject: BS: why WWILF happens
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 Oct 17 - 04:45 AM

I seem to be getting explainations from several sources. Stephen Fry on QI (who couldn't tell a lie), New Scientist, and BBC R4.

The reasoning goes: our brains compartmentalise memories of stuff to the eviron we inhabit. When we enter a new environ we re-boot the immediate mindset.

This presents as the familiar going upstairs and forgetting what we went for. Doorways (eg) represent a portal through which the re-boot occurs. But I just had a brain fart when switching from one tab (or window!) in my browser. Same scenario. We evolved to use this to be best able to: hunt, forage, socialise etc.

When I go upstairs, often I notice a task that needs attention. The task completed I find on return the original task was forgotten. My solution is to begin again and repeatedly vocalise the task, or (say) point to my eyes until the glasses sought are found. Silly actions, but they WORK!

In case of unfamiliarity WWILF stands for What Was I Looking For? and was coined to describe the way we surf the 'net and realise the genesis for the journey of last 20 pages has withered on the wind.

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Oct 17 - 08:19 AM

I am glad there is some science in it! People can never understand why I go in the kitchen to make a cup of tea and end up painting the front door...

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: Jack Campin
Date: 19 Oct 17 - 08:31 AM

I just had a brain fart when switching from one tab (or window!) in my browser. Same scenario. We evolved to use this to be best able to: hunt, forage, socialise etc.

I was one of the first people in Britain to use a windowing system for work, and my brain found a neat way of coping. I started having dreams that were in panels, so I could switch from one dream to another while inside a sort of meta-dream.

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 Oct 17 - 01:46 PM

Windows 10 then?

I do, when copying and pasting, Have several windows visible, if overlaying. Same in debugging VBA. And debugging JavaScript involves two or more panes visible at once. It is the only way to see what is going on. The script editor is hovering on the bottom line along with the FTP. But they all hang together as a necessary set of apps. But it does make a time sometimes to do the app switching smoothly. Windows was designed to have these windows visible for this very reason. Curiously, when I have (say) premiere spread over two monitors, it is not as much of a benefit than you would think. The visible appearance of two frames is harder to use than, even, hidden windows on one screen.

I guess if it was a job rather than one of 5 or 6 hobbies, getting used to multiple screens would not be an issue.

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 20 Oct 17 - 06:57 AM

As an elederly comedian once said:

I'm getting to the age where I think more about the Hereafter.

I get into a room and think "What an I here after?"

I'll get my coat.
Now where did I put it? . . .

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: leeneia
Date: 21 Oct 17 - 11:20 AM

Too many things to think about. On the way to getting the car keys, you remember that it's the last day to pay the gas bill...

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: leeneia
Date: 24 Oct 17 - 09:45 AM

My big thing is that I trudge upstairs to do Thing A. On the way, I remind myself to bring down Thing B when I come down. Upstairs, I see that I have to do Things C and D. Once back down, I congratulate myself on doing A, C and D. Then I realize that I've completely forgotten to retrieve B. Grrr!
===============

Lou and Peter Berryman have even figured out how to exploit forgetfulness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWUygYw8gSQ

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Oct 17 - 10:07 AM

The other thing I do is if I have to bend to pick something up or climb to get something down I see what else I can do while I am up or down there :-)

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: leeneia
Date: 26 Oct 17 - 11:16 AM

Good idea.

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Oct 17 - 11:32 AM

As long as the thing you notice doesn't distract you first!

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: Nick
Date: 26 Oct 17 - 12:25 PM

>>In case of unfamiliarity WWILF stands for What Was I Looking For?

Phew. After MILF, GILF, SILF and DILF I was concerned

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Oct 17 - 12:12 AM

in that context WW might = Wonder Woman...???

hmmmm.. Lynda Carter or Gal Gadot...???????

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 27 Oct 17 - 10:10 AM

Or 2WW" =
Wild women
Winsome women
Weighty women (I remember the Roly Polys dance troupe)
Willing women
Wanton women
Welsh women (as a change from sheep!)

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: Raggytash
Date: 27 Oct 17 - 10:14 AM

Wild women don't worry, they don't get the blues either.

Subject: RE: BS: why WWILF happens
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 27 Oct 17 - 03:59 PM

"Cigareets and whiskey and wild wild women,
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane."