Earliest Memories
Jul. 13th, 2014 01:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithThis article is really about why most people don't remember being babies.
It doesn't mention the fact that some people DO remember. But the logical explanation connects to at least one reason for remembering: those of us who come into this life with some memories already in place. Think of it as a scaffold. If you already have some memories, then you press that template into the barely-formed brain of your new body. This makes it easier to attach new memories immediately. The physical plasticity means you'll probably still lose some stuff, but you are way ahead of people who have to start from scratch.
It doesn't mention the fact that some people DO remember. But the logical explanation connects to at least one reason for remembering: those of us who come into this life with some memories already in place. Think of it as a scaffold. If you already have some memories, then you press that template into the barely-formed brain of your new body. This makes it easier to attach new memories immediately. The physical plasticity means you'll probably still lose some stuff, but you are way ahead of people who have to start from scratch.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-07-14 04:44 am (UTC)When I was 2 we went to San Diego to visit my uncle. I can remember riding in the shuttle with the bags (not wearing a seat belt was a novel experience for me). I know now, because I have been told, that the first plane we got on had engine trouble. All I remember is Mom being scared and saying the plane was broken and praying out loud for our safety. I have also been told that we landed and got in another plane, but I don't actually remember that either. I remember being uncomfortable sitting in my parent's laps the whole flight. I remember coloring on the little table. That's all.
As far as triggering memories, most of mine seem to be sort of chained into certain modes of thought. I start to think of one thing and it leads to another and another. I won't think about something for years and some topic of conversation or something I read will start a chain reaction and lead me back to the memories.
I have a lot of pretty early memories, but I have to be careful to differentiate between what I really "remember" and what I understand as an adult now. Like with the plane memory. I "know" that we switched planes because I've been told so. I don't actually remember it. I also now know that the plane trouble was probably not that dangerous. We landed safely and got on another plane and nothing bad happened. At the time I thought it was pretty bad because my mother was afraid, but now I know that she was terrified of flying at the best of times. She had to take anti-anxiety meds before she even got on the plane.
Sincerely,
Firstar28