"You don't remember what happened. What you remember becomes what happened." ― John Green.
Your memories are less reliable than you would like or desire.
Neuroscientists have discovered that human memories are unreliable. The studies suggest that this is because we like complete and predictable stories with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
If you want another proof that we are not machines, here it is.
Contrary to popular belief, our brain does not store memories like data in a computer. Instead, it reconstructs the memory as a story by assembling fragments and traces, filling the gaps to make it work. This process often leads us to add "several details of things happening that were never actually seen", as researchers from the University of Sussex have discovered.
We actively create memories. They're not just passive recordings of our experiences but coherent and logical 'best guesses' about what we've encountered.
Contrary to exposing faults, researchers suggest that our memory system is actually adapted to the world we live in. However, it's good to be reminded of the fallacy of our memories. I must always be careful when making decisions about my future based on memories from my past. That's where machines excel.
Given the unreliability of our memories, cultivating our intuition becomes even more crucial. It empowers us to make decisions based on more than just our past experiences.
How much of your present is defined by these fabricated stories from your past that you call memories?