Why do we remember the most random things?
When I think about the past, there are parts that I remember so vividly that they feel like they just happened yesterday. Other parts are simply blacked out; I can’t for the life of me recall them. But it sometimes seems like we remember the most random things from the past. Like, I can remember what I had for lunch when I hung out with my friend two summers ago. I can remember a conversation I had with a friend when we were training for cross country back in high school. I can even remember my 4th birthday party. Yet, I can’t remember what I had for dinner last Wednesday.
Sometimes, I feel like I remember these things for a reason. Maybe these were crucial life events that had a more subtle and less profound effect on my life, but affected it nonetheless. The whole idea of memory is to store information that is “relevant” to us in some way. This info ranges from simple things we have to do or say, to more complicated, abstract things like life-changing events to highly emotional moments. That said, I’m not sure how remembering what toppings I had on my frozen yogurt last spring is important, but who knows? It must have been relevant somehow, right?
Researchers believe that strong memories are associated with strong emotions felt during those events. For instance, one would most definitely remember his or her 21st birthday. It is a time of extreme happiness and excitement, and there is also the inexplicable feeling that one has finally “come of age”. It’s a moment of realization that almost feels mystical; one can suddenly do things that they weren’t legally allowed to do before (drink, gamble), but more importantly, one suddenly realizes that from this moment on, he or she will be treated differently and be expected to act differently. Intense emotion is often something that won’t be easily forgotten.
Stress is also a key factor since it correlates with high levels of emotion. We’ve all had those moments where we’ve nearly collapsed under pressure; all those stressful exams from school, all that drama in your household, and all that pressure from finding a job or a home in this crummy financial situation. It’s hard to erase these memories.
Alas, life is difficult sometimes. That’s why I prefer to just listen to Random Access Memories, the new and aptly-titled album by Daft Punk that was released recently, in order to de-stress. I think it is probably the best album I’ve heard in ages now. I can say that it evokes strong feelings of joy; there’s nothing like discovering new music that caters to all of your tastes. Listening to instant classics such as “Get Lucky” and “Doin’ It Right” is quite relaxing. I suppose it’s appropriate to say that this is an album that won’t soon be forgotten.
Now go and reminisce on the good times.
Backtracking the Conversation 