The Gist Mark Rowlands on Memory and the Stories We Tell Ourselves
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Dec 9, 2025 Delve into the fascinating world of memory with a philosopher discussing how our recollections shape identity and the stories we tell ourselves. Discover the concept of Rilkean memory, distinguishing between embodied and emotional recall. Hear about the role of environment in triggering memories and whether all thoughts can be classified as memories. The conversation also touches on intriguing studies involving flashbulb memories and how social rehearsal can stabilize our recall. Plus, a look at how visual framing distorts our understanding of events.
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Rilkean Memory Persists In New Forms
- Mark Rowlands coins 'Rilkean memory' to describe memories that persist in new forms even after original experiences fade.
- He argues acts of remembering can live on and reappear unexpectedly, shaping identity over time.
Running Form Tied To Forgotten Pain
- Rowlands describes changing his running form after a coach corrected his low-knee stride and then recalling why he originally ran that way.
- The embodied change remained even though the original painful experiences that caused it were forgotten.
Childhood House Triggers Automatic Habits
- Rowlands recounts Gaston Bachelard's house example where returning triggers habits like stepping over a creaky stair.
- These automatic behaviors surface without conscious recall of original reasons.
