Forgetting : Myths, Perils and Compensations

In his highly praised book __The Nostalgia Factory__, renowned memory scholar Douwe Draaisma explored the puzzling logic of memory in later life with humor and deep insight. In this compelling new book he turns to the “miracle” of forgetting. Far from being a defect that may indicate Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, Draaisma claims, forgetting is one of memory’s crucial capacities. In fact, forgetting is essential. Weaving together an engaging array of literary, historical, and scientific sources, the author considers forgetting from every angle. He pierces false clichés and asks important questions: Is a forgotten memory lost forever? What makes a colleague remember an idea but forget that it was yours? Draaisma explores “first memories” of young children, how experiences are translated into memory, the controversies over repression and “recovered” memories, and weird examples of memory dysfunction. He movingly examines the impact on personal memories when a hidden truth comes to light. In a persuasive conclusion the author advocates the undervalued practice of “the art of forgetting”—a set of techniques that assist in erasing memories, thereby preserving valuable relationships and encouraging personal contentment. In His Highly Praised Book The Nostalgia Factory, Renowned Memory Scholar Douwe Draaisma Explored The Puzzling Logic Of Memory In Later Life With Humor And Deep Insight. In This Compelling New Book He Turns To The Miracle Of Forgetting. Far From Being A Defect That May Indicate Alzheimer's Or Another Form Of Dementia, Draaisma Claims, Forgetting Is One Of Memory's Crucial Capacities. In Fact, Forgetting Is Essential. Weaving Together An Engaging Array Of Literary, Historical, And Scientific Sources, The Author Considers Forgetting From Every Angle. He Pierces False Cliches And Asks Important Questions: Is A Forgotten Memory Lost Forever? What Makes A Colleague Remember An Idea But Forget That It Was Yours? Draaisma Explores First Memories Of Young Children, How Experiences Are Translated Into Memory, The Controversies Over Repression And Recovered Memories, And Weird Examples Of Memory Dysfunction. He Movingly Examines The Impact On Personal Memories When A Hidden Truth Comes To Light. In A Persuasive Conclusion The Author Advocates The Undervalued Practice Of The Art Of Forgetting--a Set Of Techniques That Assist In Erasing Memories, Thereby Preserving Valuable Relationships And Encouraging Personal Contentment-- Forgetting: An Introduction -- First Memories: Islands In The Stream Of Forgetting -- Why We Forget Dreams -- In Memory Of Henry M. -- The Man Who Forgot Faces -- A Slope, Followed By An Abyss -- Your Colleague Has A Brilliant Idea - Yours -- The Galileo Of Neurology -- On Repression -- The Myth Of Total Recall -- The Memory Of The Esterházys -- The Mirror That Never Forgets -- The Second Death -- The Art Of Forgetting -- Questions About Forgetting. Douwe Draaisma ; Translated By Liz Waters. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Does forgetting signal a failing mind? What can be done to ward off forgetfulness? Is there an upside to forgetting? In his highly praised book The Nostalgia Factory , renowned memory scholar Douwe Draaisma explored the puzzling logic of memory in later life with humor and deep insight. In this compelling new book he turns to the "miracle" of forgetting. Far from being a defect that may indicate Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, Draaisma claims, forgetting is one of memory's crucial capacities. In fact, forgetting is essential. Weaving together an engaging array of literary, historical, and scientific sources, the author considers forgetting from every angle. He pierces false clichés and asks important questions: Is a forgotten memory lost forever? What makes a colleague remember an idea but forget that it was yours? Draaisma explores "first memories" of young children, how experiences are translated into memory, the controversies over repression and "recovered" memories, and weird examples of memory dysfunction. He movingly examines the impact on personal memories when a hidden truth comes to light. In a persuasive conclusion the author advocates the undervalued practice of "the art of forgetting"—a set of techniques that assist in erasing memories, thereby preserving valuable relationships and encouraging personal contentment. In his highly praised book The Nostalgia Factory, renowned memory scholar Douwe Draaisma explored the puzzling logic of memory in later life with humor and deep insight. In this compelling new book he turns to the “miracle” of forgetting. Far from being a defect that may indicate Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, Draaisma claims, forgetting is one of memory’s crucial capacities. In fact, forgetting is essential.

Weaving together an engaging array of literary, historical, and scientific sources, the author considers forgetting from every angle. He pierces false clichés and asks important questions: Is a forgotten memory lost forever? What makes a colleague remember an idea but forget that it was yours? Draaisma explores “first memories” of young children, how experiences are translated into memory, the controversies over repression and “recovered” memories, and weird examples of memory dysfunction. He movingly examines the impact on personal memories when a hidden truth comes to light. In a persuasive conclusion the author advocates the undervalued practice of “the art of forgetting”—a set of techniques that assist in erasing memories, thereby preserving valuable relationships and encouraging personal contentment. "In his highly praised book The Nostalgia Factory, renowned memory scholar Douwe Draaisma explored the puzzling logic of memory in later life with humor and deep insight. In this compelling new book he turns to the "miracle" of forgetting. Far from being a defect that may indicate Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, Draaisma claims, forgetting is one of memory's crucial capacities. In fact, forgetting is essential. Weaving together an engaging array of literary, historical, and scientific sources, the author considers forgetting from every angle. He pierces false clichés and asks important questions: Is a forgotten memory lost forever? What makes a colleague remember an idea but forget that it was yours? Draaisma explores "first memories" of young children, how experiences are translated into memory, the controversies over repression and "recovered" memories, and weird examples of memory dysfunction. He movingly examines the impact on personal memories when a hidden truth comes to light. In a persuasive conclusion the author advocates the undervalued practice of "the art of forgetting"--A set of techniques that assist in erasing memories, thereby preserving valuable relationships and encouraging personal contentment"-- Provided by publisher In his highly praised book The Nostalgia Factory, renowned memory scholar Douwe Draaisma explored the puzzling logic of memory in later life with humor and deep insight. In this compelling new book he turns to the “miracle” of forgetting. Far from being a defect that may indicate Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, Draaisma claims, forgetting is one of memory's crucial capacities. In fact, forgetting is essential.  Weaving together an engaging array of literary, historical, and scientific sources, the author considers forgetting from every angle. He pierces false clichés and asks important questions: Is a forgotten memory lost forever? What makes a colleague remember an idea but forget that it was yours? Draaisma explores “first memories” of young children, how experiences are translated into memory, the controversies over repression and “recovered” memories, and weird examples of memory dysfunction. He movingly examines the impact on personal memories when a hidden truth comes to light. In a persuasive conclusion the author advocates the undervalued practice of “the art of forgetting”—a set of techniques that assist in erasing memories, thereby preserving valuable relationships and encouraging personal contentment. In his highly praised book The Nostalgia Factory , the author explored the puzzling logic of memory in later life with humor and deep insight. In this compelling new book the author turns to the “miracle” of forgetting. Far from being a defect that may indicate Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, the book claims, forgetting is one of memory's crucial capacities. In fact, forgetting is essential. Weaving together an engaging array of literary, historical, and scientific sources, the author considers forgetting from every angle. He pierces false clichés and asks important questions: Is a forgotten memory lost forever? What makes a colleague remember an idea but forget that it was yours? The author explores “first memories” of young children, how experiences are translated into memory, the controversies over repression and “recovered” memories, and weird examples of memory dysfunction. The book movingly examines the impact on personal memories when a hidden truth comes to light. In a persuasive conclusion the author advocates the undervalued practice of “the art of forgetting”—a set of techniques that assist in erasing memories, thereby preserving valuable relationships and encouraging personal contentment Contents 5 Forgetting: An Introduction 8 CHAPTER ONE: First Memories: Islands in the Stream of Forgetting 17 CHAPTER TWO: Why We Forget Dreams 39 CHAPTER THREE: In Memory of Henry M. 64 CHAPTER FOUR: The Man Who Forgot Faces 83 CHAPTER FIVE: A Slope, Followed By an Abyss 94 CHAPTER SIX: Your Colleague Has a Brilliant Idea – Yours 105 CHAPTER SEVEN: The Galileo of Neurology 114 CHAPTER EIGHT: On Repression 133 CHAPTER NINE: The Myth of Total Recall 165 CHAPTER TEN: The Memory of the Esterházys 186 CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Mirror That Never Forgets 200 CHAPTER TWELVE: The Second Death 224 CHAPTER THIRTEEN: The Art of Forgetting 245 Questions About Forgetting 253 Notes 256 Illustrations 271 Index 272 In his highly praised book 'The Nostalgia Factory', renowned memory scholar Douwe Draaisma explored the puzzling logic of memory in later life with humour and deep insight. In this book he turns to the 'miracle' of forgetting. Far from being a defect that may indicate Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, Draaisma claims forgetting is one of memory's crucial capacities. In fact, forgetting is essential