Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Ep99 "Why do brains sometimes make things up?"
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Apr 7, 2025 Discover the intriguing reasons why our brains sometimes create convincing false memories. Dive into fascinating cases, like a blind woman who believes she can see, and explore the Mandela Effect, where groups remember events differently. Uncover the psychological tricks behind memory distortions and how they impact our identity. From brain injuries to the fluid nature of recollections, you'll see how storytelling intersects with truth and fiction. It's a mind-bending journey into the reliability of what we think we remember!
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Alexander's Confabulation
- Alexander, a former teacher with brain damage, confabulated details about his morning.
- He confidently described his breakfast, the news, and meeting a friend, all fabricated.
Memory as a Patchwork
- Memory is not a recording device, but a patchwork quilt.
- It's stitched together from fragments, guesses, and expectations, leading to occasional falsehoods.
Mr. Thompson's Identities
- Mr. Thompson, a Korsakoff's patient, constantly invented new realities.
- He'd adopt different identities and create backstories for people, believing them fully.