I should admit straight away, I really did not like the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I found it loooonnng , sleep-inducing and utterly confusing. But... I did find the concept of being able to erase someone or painful memories from your mind really appealing! Like life imitating art, scientists have actually been able to make erasing specific memories possible in rats. Other science types have gone further and been able to do the same thing in humans using chemical-free behaviour therapy.
At first I thought it was a great idea but now I'm alot more skeptical. Aren't memories good for our learning and development? Don't bad experiences, bad people, bad relationships create danger signals in our head and help us avoid making the same mistakes twice? What memories would you earmark for deletion?
11 comments:
I agree. Bad experiences make very good teachers. When I think of it, I do not think I would delete any memory. But if they could invent something to "undo" some actual experiences.
Abena, long time!! How u been? Experiences--both good and bad--make a man. I am not in favour of undoing experiences, as much as I want to undo the experience of the loss of my brother. I know I will meet him again one day, and think I have paradoxically become a better person. I would say same of my other bad experiences. They have made me better, even if at times, they have almost turned me bitter. I have to keep on pinching myself about mankind and free will.
@Nana Yaw; So true, I don't think I would want to delete any memory but I do agree about undoing actual experiences. In fact, I have a great appreciation for time machines!
@EKB; has been ages! So what do you think about the time machine option?
Abena ...on time machines...as long as it's conceived off by H G Wells, I'm all for it!:-)
Hmmm Abena... I think there are a few memories I could do without. So, please sign me up!
@EKB definitely not the type of not the type of machine to propell u too far into the future or too far into the past. Maybe within one's lifespan only!
Hey Nana Yaa, exciting to see ya in the blogosphere! Welcome :-) Some memories I could definitely file under 'DELETE' while others, although bitter, have made me stronger and wiser. Well, at least I hope so!
I don't think I would erase memories because I think they make us the people we are. HOWEVER, I would love a machine that allows us to have a "do-over" of certain events because there are some things I would sure have loved to do differently.
Also I love 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'! I think it's a great love story.
"Do-ever" machine? Love that idea! But then I wonder about that too after seeing the Butterfly Effect. You change one event in the past for the better and completely alter the future! Hmmm...
@Sankofa, clearly the crack is gettin to my head. I meant 'Do-over' not 'Do-ever'. Oops, I hope I hven't offended people with crack dependencies...I do agree Eternal Sunshine had a great storyline but the dialogue weighed it down for me coupled w the convoluted plot.
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