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Perfect memory & recall seems to be a long-running theme in many near and far-future Sci-Fi books... I commented to my girlfriend the other day that if I was e
by aarongough 17y ago
Perfect memory & recall seems to be a long-running theme in many near and far-future Sci-Fi books...
I commented to my girlfriend the other day that if I was ever given the option to have it I would refuse. An example: my cat died at the start of the year, a thoroughly heartbreaking occurrence. If I had perfect recall of that event, including my emotional state at the time, I think I would be emotionally and mentally crippled for the rest of my life...
- timwiseman 17y agoAn interesting point. But it seems like the ideal solution is the capacity for perfect recall. Being able to recall everything you have experienced at will seems to be virtually all good, so long as you are not forced to be constantly conscious of it at all times. To extend the story of your cat (I am sorry incidentally. Loosing a pet can be rough), I suspect you probably would like the ability to remember every detail of the good times when you so chose, you just don't want to have to deal with thoughts about the death all the time.
- aarongough 17y agoThanks Tim! I do agree with you, voluntary recall would be fine. Recall as we have it now is largely linked to triggers that can kind of ambush you (in both good and bad ways) with little notice. A smell, a sound: all bring up memories... If I could consciously make the decision to recall everything I did on some day 10 years ago, that would probably be quite useful!