Linking Your Thinking: The Surprising Benefits of Forgetting

Hatched by Kazuki
Jul 05, 2023
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Linking Your Thinking: The Surprising Benefits of Forgetting
Have you ever wondered how your brain processes and stores memories? Our brains have three main regions dedicated to the functions of saving, retrieving, and storing memories. The save function is localized in a structure called the hippocampus, nestled deep in our brains. The retrieve function, on the other hand, is located in the prefrontal cortex, right behind our foreheads. The hard drive, where most of our memories are stored, is towards the back of the brain.
But what about forgetting? It turns out that forgetting plays a crucial role in our cognitive abilities. If we remember everything, it becomes harder to generalize, abstract, and filter information. Forgetting allows us to see unexpected connections among key ideas, leading to increased creativity. In fact, most creative types seem to function best in the morning, when the mechanisms that result in memories wilt back down during sleep.
Forgetting also has its benefits when it comes to decision-making. When we forget certain information or have a bad memory, we are more likely to double-check the facts, situations, and results before making a decision. This helps us make better decisions by not heavily relying on our memory alone. So, if you find yourself with a bad memory, don't fret - it might actually be an advantage in the decision-making process.
One interesting aspect of forgetting is its connection to the ability to generalize and sort information. Imagine if everything in life was constantly novel, even things and people we are familiar with. This constant novelty would lead to a state of anxiety. Forgetting allows us to sort and generalize information, making our daily lives more manageable.
Forgetting also plays a role in emotional memories. While it's important to acknowledge and remember bad things that have happened, it is beneficial to let go of the emotional component. Engaging in a socially active network after a traumatic event, for example, can accelerate emotional forgetting. Exposure therapy is another technique that taps into our forgetting mechanism to help re-balance our memories and associate traumatic events with benign experiences.
Ressentiment, or the core of human suffering, is often linked to an excessive focus on emotional memories. When we loop on these memories, they burn too hot and hinder our ability to move forward. Forgetting allows us to let go of these emotional components and find a sense of relief and healing.
In the realm of decision-making, the ability to forget can be advantageous. People with what is considered a "bad memory" tend to make better decisions. This is because relying heavily on memory can lead to over-indexing on certain information and overlooking important factors. By forgetting, we are more likely to search for and make sure of things before making decisions, ultimately leading to better outcomes.
So, how can we leverage the benefits of forgetting in our own lives? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:
- 1. Embrace novelty and change: Instead of fearing the unknown, try to embrace novelty and change in your life. Seek out new experiences, meet new people, and challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone. This will stimulate your brain and encourage the forgetting mechanism, leading to increased creativity and the ability to make unexpected connections.
- 2. Engage in social activities: After experiencing a traumatic event or holding on to negative emotional memories, engaging in social activities can help accelerate emotional forgetting. Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends and family, participate in group activities, and share your experiences. This will help you let go of the emotional component and find healing.
- 3. Double-check and search for information: When faced with decision-making, take the time to double-check and search for information. Don't solely rely on your memory alone. Make sure you have all the facts, consider different perspectives, and weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. This will help you avoid common decision-making errors and increase the likelihood of making better choices.
In conclusion, forgetting is not a flaw in our memory system, but rather a fundamental mechanism that allows us to generalize, sort, and filter information. It promotes creativity, helps us let go of emotional baggage, and improves our decision-making abilities. By embracing novelty, engaging in social activities, and double-checking information, we can harness the power of forgetting in our own lives. So, don't be afraid to forget - it might just be the key to unlocking your full potential.
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