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Study Finds That Memory Works Differently
in the Age of Google

 

The rise of Internet search engines like Google has changed the way our brain remembers information, according to research by Columbia University psychologist Betsy Sparrow published July 14 in Science.

“Since the advent of search engines, we are reorganizing the way we remember things,” said Sparrow. “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.”

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Top Stories

Columbia Journalism Review Considers the Future of Public Television News

Columbia Journalism Review

President Lee C. Bollinger and Emily Bell, director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at the Graduate School of Journalism, envision the future of public television.

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Miller Theatre Director Melissa Smey Appointed to Lead Columbia Arts Initiative

Melissa Smey

President Lee C. Bollinger announced the appointment of Miller Theatre director Melissa Smey as executive director of Columbia’s Arts Initiative, effective immediately.

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Multimedia

The Baccalaureate Service (Image credit: Diane Bondareff/Columbia University)Recessing from the Baccalaureate Service (Image credit: Diane Bondareff/Columbia University)The School of International and Public Affairs Graduation Ceremony (Image credit: Michael Dames/Columbia University)After the School of International and Public Affairs Graduation Ceremony (Image credit: Michael Dames/Columbia University)The School of General Studies Class Day (Image credit: Michael DiVito/Columbia University)The Law School Graduation Ceremony (Image credit: Chris Taggart/Columbia University)After the Law School Graduation Ceremony (Image credit: Chris Taggart/Columbia University)Columbia Engineering Class Day (Image credit: Eileen Barroso/Columbia University)Columbia College Class Day (Image credit: Eileen Barroso/Columbia University)Columbia College Class Day (Image credit: Eileen Barroso/Columbia University)Scenes from Commencement 2011 (Image credit: Eileen Barroso/Columbia University)Scenes from Commencement 2011 (Image credit: Eileen Barroso/Columbia University)Scenes from Commencement 2011 (Image credit: Eileen Barroso/Columbia University)Scenes from Commencement 2011 (Image credit: Eileen Barroso/Columbia University)Scenes from Commencement 2011 (Image credit: Eileen Barroso/Columbia University)Scenes from Commencement 2011 (Image credit: Eileen Barroso/Columbia University)Scenes from Commencement 2011 (Image credit: Eileen Barroso/Columbia University)Scenes from Commencement 2011 (Image credit: Eileen Barroso/Columbia University)

Commencement Week 2011

View a slideshow of photos from University Commencement and Class Day activities of the 257th Academic Year.

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Columbia in the Headlines

NPR, July 18
Prof. Patricia Williams: Media Give No Presumption of Innocence

Associated Press, July 17
A Mom in African Refugee Camp; Son Thrives in U.S.

The New York Times, July 16
Prof. Siddhartha Mukherjee: Patrolling Cancer's Borderlands

The New York Times, July 14
Internet Use Affects Memory, Study Finds

The Wall Street Journal, July 7
Columbia's Business Dean on Disclosure, Leading, Ethics

Manhattanville Planning Updates

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