Discussion 'When we remember something, we are only remembering the last time we remembered it.' Do you think that's true?

[Forever Sleep]

I feel like I've heard that theory once or twice. The last time was in a documentary that had within it, a court case and the defence lawyer used it to try to question the accuracy of what someone said they saw.

I'm not convinced it's true though. My memory of something may well be patchy but, I am usually trying to find the source material in my head. I feel like- if I was only remembering the last time I'd thought of it- wouldn't memories of that moment get tangled in?

I've mentioned it before but, I sometimes return to my Nana's house as my safe place. I'll try to picture walking through it. What was in each room. What the carpet and furniture looked like. What the layout was like. I feel like I'm still refering to the last time and actual moments I was in that house though. Not all the subsequent times I've pictured it. I feel like- if that were in fact the case- I'd be thinking- remember that time when you last thought of that thing and- Inspector Morse was on in the background? I think I'd start to remember elements from the last time I had that memory alongside it. If that makes any sense?

How about you? Does the theory match your lived experience? Or, do you feel like your memories stretch back to the actual event?

 

[X-sanguinate86]

For myself, I have had both experiences. For some memories I am remembering the last time I remembered it and it can get tangled and less reliable but for other more important memories I have the impression that I'm always going back to the original and it remains crisp.

I'm guessing there's been some psych research about it so that would be interesting to hear about. I'm still not sure I'd wholeheartedly buy into the theory though.

 

[Pluto]

 

[EmptyBottle]

indeed, being interrupted at just the wrong point in time made me forget a dream segment almost fully

 

[wine is fine but]

i would certainly think that it is more than possible
i can remember back to when i was 4 (1973), but i do say that i remember it or might be remembering a memory a lot

perhaps that is why so many people tell me that they remember stuff that didn't happen. they are remembering many different memories that are all very sketchy

if it does happen, then i would guess that it would only relate to much older memories. there are many conversations i remember months, or even years later with no previous prompting (as far as i can remember )

i have been told many times, that i have a good memory, and i reply with the same thing "those who have a bad memory want a good one, and those who have a good one want a bad one". generally speaking, of course, but a good memory means you never let anything go, and hold wicked grudges - on the plus side, it also helps to keep you (hopefully) very loyal and to potentially keep yourself out of trouble