Memory Blog*

I think that memory is one of the most valuable things that a person can have. I say this because, without a memory who are we? Every experience, emotion, and lesson is stored in our memories. Our experiences are part of what makes up what kind of person we are. They teach of different values learned throughout life, that help us to develop into the kind of person we are and (aspire) to be. Emotions are also stored in our memories because over time, different events have triggered different emotions. Emotions can be anything from happiness at the birth of a new child, mourning at the death of a loved one, love as you experience a relationship for the first time, and sadness from a fight with a good friend. These different emotions help you build the foundation of your future relationships with people and affect how you interact with others.
Basically I feel that without a memory, you are just a vegetable: Living, but not really "living."

If I did not have a memory I would be extremely sad. I can say that now because I do have a memory, and I know what it is like to have different emotions and to be able to react to things that I am familiar with. I think that if I never had a memory I wouldn't really know the difference. You would never know what you are missing out on, but I personally would easily become frustrated with not being able to remember even the simplest things, like the members of my family.

Clive is basically a person of the moment. By this I mean that he can pretty much form to anything he wants to be at the moment. He can't remember anything that has happened, and therefore can't form his own identity. He will pretty much just become what people tell him to be, and then 20 seconds later... He will become someone else all over again. I feel bad for Clive for all of the reasons that I have already mentioned, and I wish there was a way that we could help him to remember. :(

This has definitely made me think about how memory works more now. It's kind of one of those things that you never think about and just take for granted. You never know what it would be like to forget everyone you know and all of the different experiences that you have had. It would be extremely depressing for me. I see my own memories as far more valuable now. I say this because thinking about not having any memories at all would just be a terrible lifestyle.

I would say that I trust most of my memories, although some are a little foggy. Most of the ones that I'm not 100% about are the ones from my early childhood. I can remember some basic things like where I went to school and where I lived. I can't really remember the names of my old friends at all. It just so happens that about 3 or 4 years ago I was in Merrill (my hometown) at the eye doctor's and a girl who was apparently my "best friend" in head start noticed me and began talking to me. It was really weird because I didn't remember her at all whereas she remembered everything about me. She seemed so happy to be reunited with me, but I was so lost. I felt bad but at the same time I felt extremely weirded out that this girl and her mom are just sitting next to me staring at me.

One thing that I learned in this chapter was about the different types of conditioning and how they are useful. I think that classical conditioning is very interesting because it really is how things work. For example if an infant puts there finger in the flame of a candle, they will eventually feel the heat and pull their hand away. The next time they are by a flame they might put their finger near it again, but once they start to feel the heat a memory of how it felt and the pain that was along with it will trigger in their brain and they will pull their hand away.