In the January 29, ‘07 issue of “Time” magazine, writer Michael D. Lemonick, whose last name seems to rhyme with “mnemonic,” points out two “facts” about memory:

He states, “[e]ach time we retrieve and re-store a memory, it can be subtly altered by all sorts of factors. What goes back into our brains is like the new version of a text document, overwriting the old.” (102). In the two subsequent pages after this quote, there are two photographs of Bing Crosby, which clearly show how new memories tend to overwrite older memories with alterations that imply that memory is more slippery “in nature” than we think. I find it so intriguing how, in this quote and through this quote, Lemonick alludes to technology as a way to explain how retrieval and re-storing functions to an audience who is, undoubtedly, informed and sustained by technology. Why address an audience that is not situated in technology, right?

The second fact is that “memory and emotion are intimately linked biochemically, with hormones like adrenaline actively involved in forming the neurological patterns we call memories” (102). So, memory formation can be explained “biochemically” with “adrenaline” as a factor. Hmm…ok…so who does Lemonick refer as source for this claim?

Well, he consults with UC Irvine neurobiologist James McGaugh, who states that, “[a]ny kind of emotional experience will create a stronger memory than otherwise would be created” and that “[t]he major purpose of memory is to predict the future” (102-3). Sounds interesting, right? But how does this work more specifically?

According to McGaugh (and through the words of Lemonick),

“…when faced with an emotion-charged situation, such as a threat, our bodies release the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Among other things, these signal the amygdale, a tiny, neuron-rich structure nestled inside the brain’s medial temporal lobes, which responds by releasing another hormone, called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine does two important things. First, it kicks the body’s autonomic nervous system into overdrive, the heart beats, respiration quickens, and the muscles tense in anticipation of a burst of physical exertion” (103).

He elaborates,

“Second, even as it’s kick-starting the body, the amygdale sends out a crackle of signals to the rest of the brain. Some of them put the sense on high alert, ready to deal with a threat. But these signals also tell the neurons that any memories recorded in the next few minutes need to be especially robust. One piece of evidence for this scenario: Lawrence Cahill, a colleague of McGaugh’s at Irvine, showed subjects emotionally arousing film clips, simultaneously gauging the activity of their amygdalae using positron-emission tomography (PET) scans. Three weeks later, he gave the subjects a surprise memory quiz. The amount of amygdala activity predicted with great accuracy how well they remembered the film clips” (103).

He then adds,

“Imaging studies also make clear that it isn’t just dangers or tragic events that cement memory formation. Positive emotions, which are also mediated through the amygdala, have the same effect. Again, that’s a perfectly reasonable evolutionary development. If eating or having sex makes you happy, you’ll remember that and do it again, keeping yourself healthy and passing on your genes as well” (103).
So, let me see if I understand: if a certain act, such as eating or having sex, proves enjoyable, your memory will then be the factor that creates a behavioral pattern where the act will be repeated, right?

Right…ok…interesting…but didn’t any of these so called neurobiologists read what Aristotle and Augustine said with regard to the relationship between memory and psychology? Is God anywhere in this picture of how the brain functions, for whom and when? Hmm.

Toward the latter part of the article, Lemonick states that adrenaline, Ritalin and amphetamines are proven to improve memory. (104)

Really? Doesn’t the Soul have any place in improving memory? Hmmm…

Stay tuned for my discussion of St. Augustine, as well as my continuing discussion of Yates “Art of Memory” (with some interesting photos/fotos).

Work Cited

Lemonick, Michael D. "The Flavor of Memories." Time 29 Jan. 2007: 102-104.