We tend to see the grass as greener when it comes to photographic memories. I used to be one of those people. But I just considered what life might be like with a photographic memory and I believe it might not be all that its cracked up to be. If a person makes a conscious effort to remember by using learned methods and tricks, then good that they have the option of using their intelligence to enhance their memory. But what about those rare cases where remembering is not an option? Such as that of case where perfect memory is a burden (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=1738881&page=1&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312) .

My intuitive understanding leads me to believe that memory is a psychological process of selecting bits of information and ignoring others. Certain bits are ignored for a reason. Perhaps as humans we let our favorist systems decide what stays in our minds and what doesn't. Or maybe we are just being protected by our minds. Without memory we could not accomplish anything at all. But with knowledge of everything we also could not accomplish anything because we might just be so bogged down and burnt out. This is only speculation. The opposite might also be the case, where we can know exactly what is needed to be done at all times and exactly what plan of action should be taken to accomplish each step. Perhaps I am linking memory to reason more than I should.

No, I completely agree with you. It isnt that I have a photographic memory, but I remember things much better than most. Not words or phrases, but events and behaviors. With being able to remember things so well, I start to overanalyze past actions.
Movies become redundant the second time through when I know what will happen the next scene, clip by clip.
I agree because I feel I have too much control over my mind...while other times I feel like I'm losing it.
Memory is as simple as life itself. Everything is linked to memory in some way. Emotions are simple deductions of preferences formed by expectations.
With thinking about what the past was and how the future will be might take up too much finite brainpower to concetrate on where the present is. Balancing the three options I theorize to be nearly impossible with absolute control.

Well, I don't have that much of memory skills, in fact, I just don't have control over my own memories.... I forget all the necessary things, and remembers everything I've always been trying to forget, including forever..... It's quite a bother I'll say, I mean, being bugged by memories (or lack thereof) is plain troublesome...

I am a lot like mandude... I remember situations and events like a movie from my point of view much better than most. I find myself trying to support my decisions by describing a past situation that applies to the current situation. I'll say something like "a year ago you were standing right there... your left leg was crossed over the right... this was on the TV.... the cat was right there... xyz was in the stove... ect ect ect.. and you said this: " It's funny because most people think I am making it up.

And with movies I have seen in the past... I remember every fucking frame of that movie. It's hilarious. I'll walk in on some obscure scene (perhaps a common close up) that looks as if it could be in most ANY film and I will ask "Are you watching xyz?" 99% (no exageration) I am correct :eek:

I am really bad with auditory information however. I do not have a hearing problem but a listening problem. I cannot remember what someone has said (text or auditory) two seconds after they have stated what they have to say.

My intuitive understanding leads me to believe that memory is a psychological process of selecting bits of information and ignoring others. Certain bits are ignored for a reason. Perhaps as humans we let our favorist systems decide what stays in our minds and what doesn't.

My memories fade with age and were never so complete and clear anyway.

The process is of course selective but I worry more that a memory is false. People employ their imaginations to falsify the present, let alone the past. It is also possible to confuse the memory of a dream with a memory of a real event.

In these respects I find that these modern facilities are wonderfully educational, to exactly compare what I recall with what actually stands on the record. In that respect for instance it can be quite startling, scary at times, to realise the extent to which what subsequently took place was accurately predicted and wished for.

We live the lives we choose to live. That is our burden.

--- Ron.

Nikola Tesla, had a serious photographic memory problem all his life.

but he learned to use and control it, and became historys greatest engineer...

his autobiography is highly recommended for any with an interest in photographic memory and how one can overcome it, and learn to use it... effectively.

-MT

My memory is photographic.

It's just out of film most days.

The camera cheats. The film runs out to spite the photo.

Mine seems to have improved recently, which is probably because of a facing up to some painful memories previously blocked.

--- Ron.

The coolest thing is when you can remember sounds and smells and feelings.

what is the burden of memory? The only burden of memory is that you get to know the answer to your questions.

i read that the one thing a person can't remember (as in actually recall and relive) is smell. but i find that i can remember what a rose smells like.

Yes, having a perfect memory can be burdensome, so much data in one mind, things can get out of hand if the person doesn't learn to organize thier data and simply forget the un-needed memories.

Yes, I believe anyone can recall smell, I've had dreams that the chocolate chip cookies were ready to eat and oh the smell I recall. Too bad there were no chocolate chips cookies when I woke up though

Cannot remember smells? I can remember what gasoline smells like. I can actually "smell" it right now. Same for grass clippings. Vanilla. Pine trees. And more!

Too bad there were no chocolate chips cookies when I woke up though

that must have SUCKED. :p

I have a question for this forum. I used to have an excellant memory for any chosen envent or series of conversations. Like in a meeting of six executives. I could recall exactly what was said by whom "word for word" and in what order. Say, if we were comtemplating a particular action agenda. At a later time the President would call me in and ask me to tell him who was in favor of a particular action and why, and or who was against that action and why. I could not synthesize the data - I could however repeat word for word what way said. Sometimes he would have his secretary check my data which was always correct. I found I could do this later in life say not until after I was 38 yrs old or so. And I was wondering if meditation had any impact on such a memory and what it is called in today's society.
Thank you