Friday, August 10, 2012
Search, Memory
People write down their own memories and read the memories of others. Instead of being stored in one's head, memories are shared to the public. Must we really share our memories with others? In chapter 9 titled "Search, Memory" of The Shallows, Carr explained that our culture depended more on reading than on memory. We rely on the internet rather than personal memory. People do not know the difference between artificial and biological memory. Instantaneously, we can retrieve information online. We no longer have to use our brains to think that hard. Why do we post personal information on social networks? It makes everything that much easier. We display our memories for others to see. Why do we do this? Is this for our own memory? Are we incapable of remembering? What do we store in our memory? Carr explained that memories are either primary or secondary. Primary memories are easily forgotten while secondary memories can be held onto forever. How do we classify each memory as primary or secondary? I noticed that I struggle to memorize vocabulary words or anything related to studying for an upcoming test even after several glimpses. How is it that I memorize the lyrics of a song I just recently heard? "The quality of memories depends on how the information is processed." Carr applies scientific studies of the brains to analyze how this all works. Can we decide which memories are worth remembering?
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I think we can decide which memories are worth remembering because I remember in spanish class we learned this song about about capitals and countries and we had to listen to it almost everyday. So, I think through creative ways of memorizing and LOTS of repitition we are able to memorize important things. Also I believe if we visit past memories we are able to keep them in our memory. Really I think if we focus on things we want to remember are brain is able to do it.
ReplyDeleteIf you think about it, you have good memories and bad memories. The good memories could be maybe your first kiss, which you most likely chose to keep as a memory, but you can also remember something horrible, such as your first pet dying, or maybe a time you got in a horrible accident. So I believe you do and you don't choose which memories to keep. I think our memories are probably just something that automatically happens, because why would you want to remember the bad things that happened to you?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think we share events that happen in our lives on social networking sites so that we can share our memories with other people. I don't think that we post them to remember them ourselves, its just so that other people can see what we're doing and how we live our life.
When it comes to what memories are primary and secondary, as Carr states, i agree our mind chooses. If we practice and want to remember, we use repetitive practices to remember something. Per se' when i was learning a new wrestling move that was very important for me to learn, i kept practicing and practicing and by the time i was done, i could do the move intentionally in a match. I would consider that as a secondary memory.
ReplyDeleteAnother great example would be your birthday! Imagine forgetting your birthday. Everyone's birthday is probably embedded in their heads already. Even if its once a year i know a five year old child knows their own birthday. Whether if a memory is primary or secondary, your own mind chooses. Either if its worth keeping it or losing it.
I'm definitely no science person, which is why this little theory of mine probably is not the most accurate. I believe that our memories depends on the amount of impact it inflicted upon us. If something greatly affected our feelings upon the moment it occurred, the brain probably absorbs it and it stays in our memory for quite some time.
ReplyDeleteTake for example the things stated in the comments above. Lindsay talked about good memories and bad memories, such as your first kiss or a terrible accident. These moments triggered emotions of great intensity, possibly being a cause for your brain to remember it. Like I said, I am no scientist, and these are all mere thoughts coming from my imagination, but I believe it makes sense to theorize these ideas.
There are also little things to be remembered such as an old neighbor, a dream, a school, etc. Suppose these had little importance to you, but why aren't they worth remembering? Everything in our lives should become a memory. How can one learn from his or her mistakes if they have no memory of it? Honestly, I have no recollection of my childhood besides a few memories my family shares in the same old stories. I wish I remembered more. Also, when I wake up from a dream, I think "Wow, that was the best dream in the world," and once I try to share the events of a dream, my mind blanks. Does this happen to anyone else? This sounds kind of awkward, but I guarantee others also don't remember some precious memories.
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