Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Ron Obvious

(6,261 posts)
2. Yes, frequently...
Thu Aug 2, 2012, 12:31 AM
Aug 2012

Memory is extremely malleable and gets modified every time you recall an event. I suspect that only an outline of the event gets stored. and that at recall time that bare outline gets filled in with new material to pad out to a full event. It sure seems real, though, even iin those cases where there's absolute proof the memory is false.

I've had memories associated with a particular song being on the radio, for example, which I then recall whenever I hear that song again. I later determined that that particular song didn't even come out until several years after the event being recalled. Absolute proof that the memory is false. And yet, I'm almost not convinced even so... It just seems so real still.

Another example, for men in particular. when you recall talking to your friends before your voices broke, do you remember speaking in the squeaky voices you had then or with the adult voices you now have? Definitely the latter for me. Even the language spoken is wrong in some recollections.

It's fascinating stuff.

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»Have you ever have a chil...»Reply #2