Memory's connection to the ever present now
Read an old article today about H.M., a man who had experimental surgery in 1953 in an attempt to alleviate frequently reoccurring seizures. The surgery was successful, but afterwards it was discovered that H.M. was unable to form any new long term memories.
I googled around and learned that H.M. was able to get progressively better at certain procedural tasks (like the Tower of Hanoi puzzle), even though he retained no memory of having performed the tasks before. I thought that was quite interesting and perhaps a bit revealing about how the brain might have a type of subconscious memory.
H.M. still believes himself to be in his late 20's, a belief that results in confusion every time he looks in a mirror. Can you imagine that? To be surprised and deceived by your own expectations of self-image? But perhaps it is not as uncommon as we might think - what if we were able to see ourselves as others see us?
The metaphor of self-reflection in this case is quite intriguing.
I googled around and learned that H.M. was able to get progressively better at certain procedural tasks (like the Tower of Hanoi puzzle), even though he retained no memory of having performed the tasks before. I thought that was quite interesting and perhaps a bit revealing about how the brain might have a type of subconscious memory.
H.M. still believes himself to be in his late 20's, a belief that results in confusion every time he looks in a mirror. Can you imagine that? To be surprised and deceived by your own expectations of self-image? But perhaps it is not as uncommon as we might think - what if we were able to see ourselves as others see us?
The metaphor of self-reflection in this case is quite intriguing.