Revisions Of Memory
The title “Revisions of Memories” appears to be an oxymoron. It begs questions such as these: If we revise our memory of an event, does that change the reality of what happened, or does it stay the same? And does changing the way we perceive a memory change us since what makes us distinctive individuals is our experiences and memories? Interestingly enough, science tells us that memory does change and fade—especially over time. Memory has been compared to sand at the bottom of the sea recomposed repeatedly by currents, and often “revised,” especially if it is shared by others. A bit like a rumor, a memory may get larger, more complex, and different as it passes between and among friends and family.