The Science of Forgetting: How Our Memories Fade and Why It Matters in the Pandemic Era

The Science of Forgetting: How Our Memories Fade and Why It Matters in the Pandemic Era

In the fast-paced world we live in, it's no surprise that our memories often fail us. "A basic assumption that we can make is that everybody forgets everything all the time," says Norman Brown, a cognitive psychology professor at the University of Alberta. "The default is forgetting." Our brains have a complex process for memory, involving encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of information.

When we encounter new information, our brains encode it with changes in neurons, particularly in the hippocampus - a vital memory center. These changes create a physical memory trace called an engram. However, much of this information is lost unless it goes through memory consolidation, which often occurs during sleep. This consolidation process helps stabilize memories, making them more long-term.

One theory suggests that the hippocampus stores an index of where these memory neurons are for easier retrieval, similar to a Google search. When we retrieve memories, the neurons in the hippocampus and cortex are reactivated. However, our memories are not formed in isolation. They are centered around our life stories and the events that most affected us personally.

Interestingly, the more salient and emotional an event is, the more likely it is that we will have trouble capturing all the details. This is because new memories interfere with older ones. As we live our lives and experience new events, these new memories become more salient and easier to remember. We repeatedly remember and reconsolidate them, solidifying their place in our minds. On the other hand, uniform events are harder to recall because our memory tends to group them together as one event.

As a society, we may not want to hold onto our memories of the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychologists have found that people tend to view the future more positively than the past. This future-oriented positivity bias occurs because the future is open to many possibilities, while the past is fixed. When we remember the past, we do so with our current emotions, knowledge, and attitudes, which can distort our recollections.

This has direct implications for how we look back on the pandemic and how we approach the future. In order for our autobiographical memories to become a part of history, they need to be woven into the fabric of society. Without cultural artifacts like books, movies, and museums, these memories may fade away, consigned to the entropic dustbin of history.

Now, let's shift our focus to the online world, where the abundance of information has created a need for curation. In the early days of the internet, Web 1.0 was static and read-only. However, with the advent of Web 2.0, the internet became social and interoperable. This democratized access to information but also inundated us with an overwhelming amount of content.

With so much content to sift through, we started relying on curators to help us separate the signal from the noise. Following someone online doesn't necessarily mean we trust their taste or influence. There's a distinction between following someone for entertainment purposes and following someone to make a purchase. Influence has a spectrum, and it's essential to discern between different types of influence.

As we enter the era of Web 3.0, curation takes center stage. It's no longer just about convenience; it's about finding fidelity in the content we consume. We rely on curators to guide us in making purchasing decisions and navigating the oversaturated digital landscape. Trust becomes the currency in this curated world.

In a world where culture is trickle-up, curators play a crucial role. They guide us, not only in deciding what to consume but also in shaping our tastes and preferences. We look to curators to tell us where to go and what to pay attention to. They help us navigate through the noise and find the content that resonates with us the most.

In conclusion, the science of forgetting teaches us that memories are fragile and easily lost over time. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its unprecedented global impact, presents a unique challenge in preserving our memories. However, by understanding the processes of memory encoding, consolidation, and retrieval, we can take steps to ensure that our experiences are not forgotten.

Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Take the time to reflect and record your experiences during significant events like the pandemic. Whether through journaling, blogging, or creating visual representations, capturing your thoughts and emotions can help solidify these memories.

2. Seek out cultural artifacts that document the pandemic. Books, documentaries, and art can provide a tangible connection to this period in history, ensuring that future generations have a reference point for understanding and learning from our experiences.

3. Be mindful of the curators you choose to follow online. Consider their trustworthiness and the alignment of their values with your own. By curating your own digital experience, you can ensure that the content you consume is meaningful and relevant to you.

By incorporating these practices into our lives, we can better navigate the complexities of memory and curation in a rapidly changing world. Whether it's preserving the memories of a global pandemic or finding the content that enriches our lives, understanding the science behind forgetting and the importance of curation can help us make the most of our experiences.