Memory

Our memory, is just like a processor in our system. Without it, we wouldn't be what we are today.

Why do I think it's an important component in life?

Just take for example, a goldfish is said to have memory of only 3 seconds. But how true is this? Feed it everyday from the corner of the tank. Each time it sees your hand at the top corner, it would automatically swim towards it and waits patiently for you to release its food.

Is that a matter of intelligence, or a simple recall mechanism?

I believe it to be a recall mechanism. We learn because we remember what we've been taught. We apply actions in our everyday life in an appropriate way that provides us with most benefit. Why wouldn't we starve ourselves or make ourselves look horribly ugly? Because from our memory, we recall seeing ourselves or people in a way that we do not want to be like. We remember how horrible or painful it is for a certain experience, that we learn never to do anything that may lead us let history repeat itself.

Why do we know that 5x4 = 20 and not something else? Because we remember the technique to do a timestable.

Do we really master a new skill or is it still because of the existence of our memory bank?

We master a skill because we remember how to. And we've been reminded daily about the things we've learnt throughout our lives, that is why it seems like knowledge is at your fingertips. But the truth is, it isn't.

You read an article about world news last week and an interesting book say by famouse philosopher. You share the information with a friend or client. You are seen as knowledgeable but all thanks to your memory, that makes you one.

I can read a shitload of articles and news everday. But without a good memory, I wouldn't be able to remember much of it, not to mention share it with someone.

Can we actually choose which information to remember and which not? Why do we remember our names and identification number all the time? Why do we remember our parent's name and remember how to write? Count? Say "giraffee"? Jump? Walk?

Because these are the things which we've been reminded of every now and then. How do we define good and bad memory? There are some who claims that we can control our brain to memories things better. How much can you force yourself to remember? If there is such a megamemory technique, how come there are still people who lose their memories?

Have you ever wondered, what you are today is mainly contributed by your memory? Like me, I'm an average student in the university. I admit I do not have a good memory, that is why i never really learnt much in modules I do not like. Because, i never really remembered what was taught. So I couldnt apply them. No wait, or, could we put it this way: I never understood what I was taught, that is why I never manage to remember it. Which way comes first? We understand something first or we remember something first?

I'm confusing myself actually.

Think again, if we were to lose our memories one day, what can be done to retrieve them back? What can we do to make sure we can remind ourselves of those memories after we lost them? Does diary help ignite the similar feeling and emotions? Does a video help you remember the past?

Why do we not remember how we felt and how it was like when we were 2years old? Because we do not know or have not learnt much yet, or we just did not remember them?Is memory a dependent on a skill or is it an automated response?

Seriously, nothign is gonna come out in this discussion. I'm just exercising my brain after a week of project work. Talk again. Bye.