Reading about a handful of people with superior autobiographical memory made me feel envious. When you can't remember where you left your purse five minutes ago or where you placed the car keys, it is rather galling to know that there are people around who can remember things that happened years ago. And it just isn't a vague memory but recall with explicit detail such as the day of the week and happenings of note that occurred that very same day across the world.
I am aware of the existence of short-term memory versus long-term memory, with the latter predominant in older people who can remember clearly what happened 40 years ago but can't for the life of them recall what happened yesterday. But to be able to pinpoint exactly what one did or saw on any given day in the dim past with such precision is mind-boggling to say the least.
Doctors are presently studying two people, a man and a woman, with such a talent. Strangely enough, the man, Brad Williams, likes having his memory tested while the woman, A.J., says that although people call it a gift she calls it a burden. Having her entire life run through her head every day, she notes, drives her crazy. So, perhaps it's not such a great gift after all.
Between two extremes
It would be nice, however, to strike a golden mean between the two extremes - remembering everything and being forgetful. Such as knowing exactly why you entered a room instead of standing there wondering why you came there. You know you took those steps in that direction because you wanted something from there but as soon as you reached your destination you found yourself looking around vaguely, registering the arrangement of each and every item of furniture but without a clue as to what propelled you there.
Was there a psychopathic poltergeist at work who seemed to have taken a fancy to throwing around human beings instead of furniture? Just as these inane thoughts do the rounds in your mind, you suddenly recall what made you go there. All's well with your world once again and you reassure yourself that you are not yet on the verge of senility. Cheered by the thought, you decide that it's time to keep lists of things to do. But there's a slight problem with this helpful memory aid. What if one forgets where one has put that list?
The next time you see someone with a puzzled look on his or her face, turning out pant pockets or one's handbag, you'll know what has prompted that feverish action. The quest for the missing piece of paper is in full swing. If you are wise, you will keep your distance from such a person. In the state of confusion they are in, you might find yourself at the receiving end of their frustration. This is especially true for family members. An innocent bystander could find himself being interrogated about the whereabouts of the all-important list as the seeker recapitulates the events of the past half hour, tracing his or her journey from room to room. You are asked if you have seen the list and your amused smile is seen as proof of your guilt. A harangue on your warped sense of humour follows but this is brought to an abrupt end as a ragged piece of paper is retrieved from the depths of a pocket. In such an instance, do not be foolish enough to hope for an apology.
Mislaid items
You will instead be reminded of the numerous times you have mislaid items which makes this one lapse on the part of the speaker pardonable.
Coming back to Brad Williams, I am having second thoughts about his being worthy of my envy. If you can't forget anything, what part if any does the subconscious play in helping to block out unpleasant memories? This is an important part of our mental make up which helps us cope with traumatic experiences. So, Williams, while I am in awe of your prodigious memory, I'm happy to keep my fragmented one.
