[skybrian]

Memory still matters when it matters. For example, when learning a new language. In general, good real-time performance is going to require practice and memorization. It's the trivial stuff you rarely need that's less valued.

There are some other things that I think are less valued these days:

- Informed speculation counts for less when you could do a search instead. Maybe a good thing?

- Cleverness counts less when there are memes everywhere. Jokes are ever more cheap and disposable.

On the other hand, good judgement of what you find still counts.

[cocktailpeanuts]

> For example, when learning a new language

That's a good point, because I think this "ability to speak multiple languages" will become commoditized too through technology. You already see pieces of technology that enable you to communicate in realtime (although clunky and not accessible enough at the moment)

I agree that "realtime" aspect would be the last wall that will stand to distinguish humans from machines, that is, until humans can find ways to inject circuits into the brain (which is already being explored by multiple entrepreneurs and scientists)

[YeGoblynQueenne]

See my post above. We have very good translation dictionaries, that list all the meanings of words in two languages you might ever need. Why isn't that multilingual ability being commoditized? And why is it still not possible for most people to speak many languages as well as their native one?

[cocktailpeanuts]

I am going to assume that this was a question you asked out of true curiosity and not a rhetorical one.

Technology has commoditized a lot of things historically. Just because you don't see something happening, doesn't mean it won't happen in the future.

Also did you read the comment you just replied to? Because that's exactly the answer to your question. Currently the language translation has not been commoditized because we still have the last mile problem. There is always certain threshold technology needs to cross before it becomes widely spread. Currently using those dictionaries and google translate are still too slow and you can't interact in realtime that way. Once you can directly hook circuits into your brain (or something with a similar effect), this this will change.

[YeGoblynQueenne]

>> Also did you read the comment you just replied to?

Sure. Did you read the posting guidelines?