Reference:
Opening Skinner's Box
Lauren Slater
2004 W. W. Norton & Company
Summary:
A botched epilepsy treatment uncovers the basis for forming memories, dispelling the previous notion that memory was not stored in any one area of the brain. This information ignites new research into memory, and the research shows that memories are carved into our brains through shifting neural networks. Further study unveils the chemical compunds that can cause or prevent the formation of memories.
Discussion:
Memory is one of the most important aspects of humanity. Memory makes advancement possible, as each new generation doesn't need to reinvent the discoveries of the last. Perhaps most interesting, however, is that it appears the ability to forget is what gives us our humanity. The patient referred to as S. had perfect recall, yet lacked a basis for putting everything into context. I wonder what kinds of research is being done in AI with neural networks, and how much capacity such a machine could have to forget.
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