The Science of Forgetting: How Our Memories Fade and What it Means for the Pandemic

The Science of Forgetting: How Our Memories Fade and What it Means for the Pandemic

In the realm of memory, forgetting is the default. According to Norman Brown, a cognitive psychology professor at the University of Alberta, the notion that everyone forgets everything all the time is a basic assumption. Our brains have a complex process for memory, which involves encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of information. When we encounter new information, our brains encode it through changes in neurons in the hippocampus, a critical memory center, and other areas like the amygdala for emotional memories. These neurons create a physical memory trace known as an engram.

However, much of this information is lost unless it undergoes memory consolidation, which often occurs during sleep. This process makes memories more stable and long-term. One theory suggests that the hippocampus stores an index of where these cortical memory neurons are located for easier retrieval, similar to a Google search. During memory retrieval, the memory trace neurons in the hippocampus and cortex are reactivated.

Our memories are closely tied to our life stories and the events that have personally impacted us the most. Even for salient emotional and life-threatening events, the more we experience, the more challenging it becomes to capture all of them. The influx of new memories from simply living more life interferes with the recollection of older events. New events, being more salient, are easier to remember because we often discuss and "rehearse" them repeatedly, reinforcing their memory. On the other hand, when events are uniform or similar, they become harder to recall as our memory tends to group them as one event.

As a society, many individuals are reluctant to hold onto their memories of the COVID-19 pandemic. This reluctance stems from the human tendency to view the future more positively than the past. According to Suparna Rajaram, a professor of psychology at Stony Brook University, this future-oriented positivity bias arises because we can imagine the future in multiple ways, while the past remains fixed. Our recollection of the past is influenced by our present emotions, knowledge, and attitudes. This reality has significant implications for how we reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic and navigate the future.

To truly anchor one's autobiographical memories in history, society must transform individuals' lives and turn them upside down. While parents pass down their knowledge and family history to their offspring, these communicative memories tend to last for only two or three generations. Without cultural artifacts like books, movies, statues, and museums, the memories of the COVID-19 pandemic may eventually fade away, consigned to the entropic dustbin of history.

In conclusion, the science of forgetting sheds light on why we are already losing our memories of the pandemic. Our brains are wired to forget, and the process of memory consolidation plays a crucial role in retaining information. The salience of events and the influx of new memories make it challenging to recall specific details. Moreover, our positive outlook on the future and the lack of cultural artifacts may contribute to the fading of pandemic memories.

To combat the natural tendency to forget and preserve our memories of significant events like the COVID-19 pandemic, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Keep a journal: Document your experiences, emotions, and thoughts during significant events. Writing things down helps solidify memories and allows you to revisit them in the future.

2. Share and discuss: Engage in conversations with others about your experiences and listen to their perspectives. Talking about events and hearing different viewpoints helps reinforce memories and provides a collective recollection.

3. Preserve artifacts: Whether it's through photographs, videos, or other forms of media, capture and preserve tangible reminders of the pandemic. These artifacts act as triggers for memory retrieval and can help keep the memories alive for future generations.

By actively engaging in these practices, we can defy the natural tendency to forget and ensure that the memories of the COVID-19 pandemic remain a part of our collective history.