Decline and the Art of Memory.

Functional Illiteracy, Cognitive Decline, and Mnemopoiesis
The article addresses the growing phenomenon of functional illiteracy, understood as a form of functional cognitive decline that can degenerate into disturbed ideation and a regression of personal and collective intelligence
. This decline is often initially masked by the brain's compensatory capacities (mental plasticity) until the deterioration exceeds a critical threshold
.
The increasing tendency toward passivity, termed cognitive offloading or mental laziness, is highlighted; this involves constantly shedding the responsibility for continuous evolution from the mind
. Traditionally, cognitive decay was distinguished as organic (caused by physical damage) and functional (lack of evident structural damage, often linked to trauma or stress); however, prolonged functional decline can degenerate into organic decay. Factors such as cognitive and social isolation, lack of cultural stimuli, and the inability to handle challenging tasks are linked to chronic inflammation in the nervous system, which accelerates organic cognitive decline and increases the risk of dementia even at a young age
.
A fundamental concept is cognitive reserve (CR), the brain's capacity to maintain active functions despite the accumulation of structural damage (such as pathological signs of Alzheimer’s found post-mortem in asymptomatic individuals)
. CR is built by increasing the density and efficiency of neural connections. Cognitive offloading is dangerous precisely because its effects remain hidden until the damage progression is already underway. Although the use of external supports is not inherently pathological (a concept already critiqued by Plato in Phaedrus), the problem emerges when it becomes pervasive and inhibits the drive toward knowledge
.
Cognitive decline initially manifests with mild symptoms, such as difficulty maintaining attention on complex topics, a preference for short content, a reduced capacity to follow articulated arguments, and reliance on external supports
. These symptoms lead to functional illiteracy, which can later become organic decline. It is estimated that around 28% of the population (aged 16–65) develops forms of functional illiteracy, even among educated individuals, leading to societal risks (such as the election of dysfunctional representatives). The environment is defined as "cognitively toxic"
.
For prevention, the human mind retains the capacity for lifelong renewal, with the birth of new neurons continuing even in adulthood
. The optimal time window for intervention is before the decline becomes evident. The practice of ars reminiscendi (the art of memory) is crucial and includes practices such as detailed spatial visualization (memory palaces), multisensory associations, and the hierarchical organization of information
.