We make a lifetime of memories only to remember a fraction of them. Even healthy brains can only recall a percentage of what we store. Why can’t we purge unhappy memories, like Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?
According to a recent RadioLab broadcast on Memory and Forgetting…….
Maybe. We. Can.
Listen to the podcast while you clean out your inbox. I was fascinated to learn how lab rats actually visited a real version of Lacuna Inc. But the serum they consumed didn’t just erase memories. If given at the right moment, it could actually enhance memories of an experience.
Memories go both ways.
The show’s three segments might just give you several techniques to Make a Memory, and to make it last.
Listen to the podcast here:
What’s your favorite memory
from last weekend? Please share
in a comment today.
Join the Make a Memory Movement HERE.
23 Comments
Last weekend, with 24 hour notice, we learned that our nephew, who plays/starts lacross for Univ. of Denver, was playing in a tournament outside Atlanta, a mere three hour drive from us. My wife’s brother and SIL were flying in and our youngest daughter drove up from Auburn Univ. with her boyfriend. We had a great day, UofD (ranked #1) beat Duke (ranked #3), we saw family members we usually only see one or twice a year and they got to meet the “man” in their favorite niece’s life. After it was over, we drove home and since it was Valentines day, realized that eating out was a low percentage shot, but as we came through Augusta, we found a place and ended the journey with a nice meal. The best part… spent thirteen hours with my wife and didn’t disagree once, which might be a record in this 29 year marriage. Now, that’s a memory.
Ray, spontaneous things often render the biggest reward. I love this story and am glad to hear you and your wife had a great Valentine’s Day.
As you know, Saturday was Valentine’s Day. What are three single gals supposed to do with that? We went to a movie (American Sniper – which will forever be in my memory banks) and stopped for a chocolate martini, potato chips, and quite a few laughs afterward. Girlfriend time always seems to produce memories that I am incapable of forgetting.
Did you like American Sniper, Mary?
Chocolate martinis and potato chips……YUMYUMYUM. Wish I could’ve been there.
Happy Galentine’s Day, Mary J!!
My trucker hubby came off the road with flowers, a Valentine’s card and a Valentine’s decorated donut. I am always touched when he remembers, and it’s not easy for him to get to the store in a big rig. He drives home in his regular car, but by then he’s usually so tired I’m lucky he remembers where he lives. He woke me up this past Saturday when he came in, and he said, “I brought breakfast.” It’s the little things that count.
Sounds like a dream weekend, Donna. It always makes me feel good when MTM does something special for me in the midst of a crazy schedule. I need to remember that and do more for him.
Love what Mary J did!
My favorite memory involved having breakfast with an old friend to celebrate her birthday. I hadn’t seen her in awhile, so we had some catching up to do. We’ve been friends for over 25 years, so we have shared many memories.
Those visits are among my favorite things, Linda. No matter how long I’ve been away from some people, it’s like we’ve never been apart when we get together. I hope you get to see her again very soon.
My favorite memory from last weekend: My wife Laura was out of town and close friends (of more than 40 years) invited me over for dinner. They had a couple martinis. I had some wine. Dinner was beer-can chicken, delicious, as usual. After dinner, we cleaned up and retired to the living room, Phil in his chair and Liz by the fire. They both fell asleep. I sat on the couch in absolute delight, feeling like a trusted guardian angel. I let myself out quietly and chuckled all the way home.
Sounds like a perfect evening, Jim. My chef friend John is high on beer can chicken. I don’t think he’s ever served it in his restaurant, though.
We all have many beautiful memories but the ones that often stick with us and, usually, would like to forget are the ones that bring intense emotion and normally negative. The softer emotions associated with a smile and gentle happy thoughts have less of an impact. I wouldn’t mind the Spotless Mind if it could bring forward the softer memories and reduce the negative ones.
I’ve spent a decade training myself to fight my own tendency to dwell on negative memories, lost friendships and stupid mistakes. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I can now find great comfort in positive memories and put aside negative ones pretty quickly.
Sunday evening, friends who comprise a “dinner group” of eight people who celebrate each other’s birthdays, met to celebrate mine in a small Vegan restaurant we go to often because it is run by a family, and the food is delicious. We’re a mixed group: a stage director, a movie poster collector, two CPAs, a retired hair dresser, and three retired teachers. During the year, we also meet to attend plays and concerts, but our birthday dinners are special. Sunday night is a lovely memory.
Perfect! I love traditions like these. Birthdays are meant to be celebrated, and who better to celebrate with than long-time friends? I’m glad you had a lovely birthday. Please accept a belated wish from me.
sharing an uber ride with a random couple. story to come –
I’m looking forward to reading the story. Any random Uber ride has to be intriguing…….
Katy came down with a stomach virus last weekend and then I caught it this week. I think we are going to have to wait until a different day to have a favorite memory. What I can remember I want to forget. LOL
I’m sorry to hear that, James. I hope you’re both feeling better now.
I love Radio Lab. You’ve triggered MY memory of my FAVORITE RadioLab episode, involving lobsters and the song, which I still want to know if it’s an original and if there’s more of it, because my kids loved it too…
eat, eat, eat,
molt, expand, repeat.
We’ve been singing it for several years now with different instructions in place of “molt, expand, repeat”. For instance, for the ADHD daughter
“eat, eat, eat,
chew, swallow, repeat.”
Ahem. I don’t remember last weekend. This is probably because the kids had a four day holiday, and I try to blot those from my mind as quickly as possible.
My friend Alice downloads their podcasts onto her iPhone. I need to do that. It’s a great program. I love the lobster story!!
My memory of the weekend was sharing it with my 25 year old daughter and listening to her stories of living on her own in Austin Texas. I know I didn’t get all the stories, but the ones she shared were beautiful. They weren’t earth-shattering or profound just fun. She is living a very good life and I couldn’t be prouder. (yes I have told her so)
🙂 I really love this one, John. You’re right……you probably wouldn’t want to know ALL her stories.
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