/memories – the faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information./
Human life seemingly unfolds as a tapestry woven from the threads of memory. Through the lenses of past experiences, individuals perceive the world, construct their identities, and navigate around existence. One can say that memory plays a foundational role in shaping a person, arguing that perhaps melding both the gains and losses of the past is essential to forming a true human.
Memories tend to act as the building blocks of perception. Every sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch is colored by an individual’s past experiences. A steaming cup of coffee may evoke the comforting aroma of a childhood kitchen, while the sound of the drums rumbling could trigger a memory of a frightening storm. This phenomenon has been observed by scientific research on “molecular memory,” where specific molecules store and transmit information about past experiences [1]. These stored experiences are said to have an influence on how the brain interprets incoming stimuli, shaping the way someone interacts with the world.
Memories may also play a crucial role in identity formation. Philosophers like John Locke, in his “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding”, proposed that the self is not a pre-existing entity but rather a product of accumulated experiences [2]. Memories of childhood, relationships, triumphs, and failures coalesce to form a sense of self, a narrative that guides an individual’s choices and aspirations.
Neon Genesis Evangelion explores the psychological impact of memory in a way that resonates with its audience. The characters, burdened by past traumas, struggle to connect with each other and the world around them. Their inability to process and integrate their memories into a coherent narrative hinders their emotional growth and personal development. The series seems to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of confronting the past, both the positive and the negative, to forge a true persona.
To that point, memories may not always be reliable or pleasant. Selective memory, a well-documented cognitive bias, can lead individuals to focus on positive or negative experiences while neglecting others [3]. This “nitpicking” of memories may potentially create a distorted view of the past and hinder emotional well-being.
Embracing the full spectrum of memories, both positive and negative, seems to be essential for a human being to achieve full form. The Japanese concept of “mono no aware” (物の哀れ) emphasizes the beauty of impermanence and the bittersweet pathos of things [4]. Similarly, a life rich in diverse memories, encompassing joy and sorrow, triumphs and failures, may ultimately be more fulfilling than one filtered through selective remembrance.
Each memory, regardless of its emotional valence, contributes to the richness of the human experience.
Maybe, memories are not mere echoes of the past but the very foundation of every existence.
Perhaps they shape perception, identity, and psychological capacity.
By acknowledging the impact of memories and embracing the full tapestry of the past, individuals may develop the ability to cultivate a more profound understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Maybe, Life, in essence, is a symphony of memories, a composition enriched by every note, both harmonious and discordant.
Maybe.
To live is to remember.
Citations:
[1] Eric R Kandel, The Molecular Basis of Memory (W. W. Norton & Company, 2018).
[2] John Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (Oxford University Press, 1977).
[3] Daniel L. Schacter, The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Alters History and Creates False Beliefs (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2007).
[4] Melinda Yoshikawa, Japanese Aesthetics (Tuttle Publishing, 2008).