The obvious-in-retrospect distinction is that memory is everywhere (even a footprintnin dirt is a memory), and selective (reinforced) memory is more complex (as

The obvious-in-retrospect distinction is that memory is everywhere (even a footprintnin dirt is a memory), and selective (reinforced) memory is more complex (as in the OP example), and the combination and communication of memories and information is where the brain really outshines other objects.