[astrofinch]

The scientific evidence for Dual N Back improving fluid intelligence is actually fairly weak as far as I can tell, see this critique and the other studies discussed:

http://www.gwern.net/DNB%20FAQ#criticism

My personal theory is that solving difficult math and programming problems is a better use of time than doing working memory training exercises. I'd guess that solving math and programming problems improve working memory just as fast as playing 'brain games', and they have the additional benefit of improving one's math and programming skill.

Of course, this is just a guess of mine that is unsupported by any experimental evidence.

[palguay]

In this book http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0141035501/ the author says that solving simple math equations (addition,subtraction ,division) fast is much more stimulating than doing complex math.

[joe_the_user]

And the argument and evidence he provides is what?

[hackinthebochs]

Seems very true in my opinion. I've always excelled at math, essentially have a bachelors in mathematics, etc etc. My weakness has always been getting the details of the "basic" math correct.

Higher math is about logic, abstractions and applying them to solve problems. Basic math is about holding bits of information in your head and manipulating them accurately. I absolutely believe that basic math taxes your working memory system more than advanced math does.

[gala8y]

I just skimmed Outliers book by Malcom Gladwell. One of the things author discusses are differences in number systems in different cultures. He argues (in fact quoting Stanislas Dehaene [1]), that in eastern languages number words are shorter and faster to pronounce. Thus, you can hold more of them at a time in memory (short term memory is very time sensitive). You could say that you dont really need to 'pronounce' stuff to make mental operations, still they have sensory form (be it visual, auditory,...), so argument holds.

He also brings up the issue of regularity of eastern number systems making it much easier to do calculations in these languages - to an extent that it gives eastern children real advantage in math. Developmentally speaking.

[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislas_Dehaene#Numerical_co...

[hackinthebochs]

Sounds very true in my experience. This is one of the reasons why naming (in programming and everything else) is so crucial: good naming directly influences how easily one can mentally manipulate the objects in question. This is another reason why mathematicians work so hard to create concise abstractions.

I'll have to take a look at that book, sounds fascinating. Thanks.

[palguay]

I do not have that book with me now but he provides brain scans in the experiments he conducted, most of the book is just exercises (math equations , stroop color and word recall)

[K2h]

I think he helped with brain age, which had a good reputation, and then a mediocre one for actually working. Despite that, after conversing with my wife we are of the opinion that fast simple math may be promising.

http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Y9QLGBWxkmRRzsQEQtvqGqZ...

[moldbug]

That's a brutal critique which comes close to a charge of scientific fraud. I'd be curious to see a response. If there isn't one, I know what to think.

[mhartl]

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N-back) links to a semi-rebuttal:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160289610...

Naturally, the full article is behind a paywall.

[gwern]

Jaeggi 2010 http://www.gwern.net/DNB%20FAQ#jaeggi-2010 did not address the main criticism of Moody, and administered the tests speeded as in Jaeggi 2008.