Memory’s problem

Life is challenging and is always a struggle we have to make to survive, when our needs are met, then society develops many new challenges to live by. And we nowadays need more and more information we gather to live by society’s standards, now with social media many other faculties need to be up to the challenge to «make it in this world». But there is one faculty that is necessary for our survival, to our relevance in this world that allows us to adapt to the world and be happy.

Our mind’s biggest priority when processing experiences is to interpret them in such a way that they will cohere with all of our previous experiences, feelings, and beliefs. But often we run into life situations where past and present don’t cohere: on such occasions, what we’re experiencing in the moment flies in the face of everything we’ve accepted as true and reasonable about our past.

To achieve coherence, our mind will sometimes, in cases like that, invent false memories. By linking our present experiences with that imagined past, our mind allows us to maintain whatever meaning we already established. But perhaps the answer is to trust yourself less. After all, if our hearts and minds are so unreliable, maybe we should be questioning our own intentions and motivations more. If we’re all wrong, all the time, then isn’t self-skepticism and the rigorous challenging of our own beliefs and assumptions the only logical route to progress? This may sound scary and self-destructive. But it’s actually quite the opposite. It’s not only the safer option, but it’s liberating as well.  

In our quest for coherence, our remarkable minds often conjure vivid memories that never truly existed. Through this fascinating process, they effortlessly intertwine our current experiences with a fabricated past, allowing us to uphold the meaning and narratives we have already established. These imagined memories can manifest due to various factors, such as suggestion, wishful thinking, or our brains’ innate inclination to fill in gaps in our recollection.

However, let us embrace a more hopeful perspective on this matter. While it is true that our minds can lead us astray at times, it also implies that we possess the remarkable capability to shape our experiences and interpretations. Instead of doubting ourselves excessively, we can view this innate creativity of our minds as an invitation to explore the endless possibilities of our imagination.

By acknowledging the potential fallibility of our hearts and minds, we are prompted to question our own intentions and motivations more meticulously. Through introspection and self-reflection, we invite a conscious examination of our beliefs and assumptions. This approach leads us to a path of self-discovery and personal growth, enabling us to refine our understanding of ourselves and the world.

Adopting a mindset of self-skepticism need not be daunting or discouraging. On the contrary, it is an enlightening and empowering choice. By embracing it, we transcend the limitations of our own biases and limitations, fostering an open-mindedness that embraces new information, alternate perspectives, and intellectual evolution.

This commitment to self-doubt and curiosity becomes a catalyst for innovation and progress in society. By recognizing the potential inaccuracies of individual perspectives, we create space for collaboration, inclusion, and collective intelligence. It is within these moments of healthy scepticism that fresh ideas are born, breakthroughs are achieved, and positive change becomes reality.