This chapter explores the nuances of memory and aging in relation to public figures, discussing how word-finding issues and verbal mistakes may not necessarily indicate memory problems but rather articulation challenges or stress. It advocates for a comprehensive health evaluation for presidential candidates to understand their cognitive abilities accurately and emphasizes the importance of transparency. The discussion also delves into the challenges of memory retrieval, including the 'tip of the tongue' phenomenon and the competition between memories for retrieval.
Charan Ranganath recently wrote an op-ed about President Biden's memory gaffes. He says forgetting is a normal part of aging. We also talk about PTSD, how stress affects memory, and what's happening when something's on the tip of your tongue. His new book is
Why We Remember.
Also, John Powers reviews
Cocktails with George and Martha: Movies, Marriage, and the Making of Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
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