I don't think that's a fair comparison. You can't put a biological system into 'read-only' mode like you can with a computer system (where this is the default s

I don't think that's a fair comparison. You can't put a biological system into 'read-only' mode like you can with a computer system (where this is the default since modification requires dedicated effort). A biological system self-modifies even when just associating memories. The phenomenon you describe is much more high level, we observe someone can't form new memories, but that doesn't mean their fundamental brain chemistry has changed.