ReThinking The science of memory with Charan Ranganath
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Mar 26, 2024 
Charan Ranganath, a psychologist and neuroscientist from UC Davis, dives deep into the fascinating world of memory. He discusses why we remember certain things and what leads to forgetting, emphasizing memory's crucial role in identity. Charan shares insights on how technology impacts our ability to retain memories and the psychological effects of the pandemic on our perception of time. With tips for enhancing memory retention, he advocates for creating rich, memorable experiences rather than relying solely on devices.
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Memory's True Function
- Memory's main function isn't recalling the past, but using it for present actions and future predictions.
- Forgetting is beneficial, allowing us to prioritize important information and avoid mental clutter.
The Value of Forgetting
- Forgetting is valuable as long as you retain necessary information.
- Our brains prioritize quality over quantity, similar to how we perceive the world.
Intentional Forgetting
- Intentional forgetting, or inhibiting memory retrieval, is possible.
- This inhibition process might involve suppressing a memory as it's being retrieved.
