Do People Actually Remember Last Week?

[Zoommergal]

In cop shows they always show asking suspects, "where were you last Tuesday/specific time and date?"

I've never really understood that. If you asked me what I was doing yesterday at 3pm I wouldn't be sure, I couldn't even tell you what I ate!

I've never been able to pull menial memories like that, although when I do recall memories I do to specifics better than most others. It's about as optical as a dream, just randomly triggered.

If you asked me for my most embaressing or sadest moment, I couldn't pull it out either. I know during social circles, they always ask questions like that. "Whats something interesting?" My mind goes blank!

[hello4433]

I don't remember what I ate the day before yesterday. There's no way I'll remember that

[Sevenpointfive]

the "science" behind that is if you remember in detail then you are lying.

[Zoommergal]

I wondered if that might be part of it also! If I ever get questioned for anything, they're gonna have to be satisfied with "I have no idea" 😭

[Sevenpointfive]

or just use my excuse.

"i was probably returning videotapes", works like a charm!

media.tenor.com/.../evil-laugh-laugh.gif

[White_Widow]

Working in restaurants for over 20 years and taking peoples orders without taking notes, I can tell you exactly where I've been, what I have done and what I've said. I even remember all the guests, what they said to me, what they were wearing and what they ordered.

I don't watch a lot of cop shows, I do know that ever since the rise of social media and especially since the rise of tiktok, reels of insta and shorts from YouTube came in to play that most people get their senses overstimulated. And once those senses are overstimulated your temporary memory bank is full. Then there is also the fact that with all the technology there is these days, people don't train their brains anymore.

People in restaurants put in peoples orders in a handheld or guest even order online themselves. In school you don't learn proper math anymore because you get to use a calculator. People don't have to write papers anymore because chatgpt will do it for you. Etc etc.

Its quite alarming and we really should worry about the that generation carrying the future.

[Zoommergal]

I never had a phone until a year ago, no tiktok or much internet use, but it's always been this way.

[WindAtMyBack]

I don't get out as much as I used to so it's easier. I might have to think a bit, but I remember everywhere I went last week - which places, in which order, and the route I took to get there. I think I also remember every person I talked to last week.

It's not really that cops expect people to remember where they were every day. But in case they do remember it sure makes things easier.

[Zoommergal]

That's more patterns rather than genuinely remembering though, isn't it? "Probably at home because I usually am." I wonder why shows don't more often have people say they don't know or aren't sure if it isn't common to know. Even innocent characters have details.

[WindAtMyBack]

I suppose it's both. Like part of memory is associating with other events. It's what keeps the clock in sync. It's harder now that I'm retired. People who work a regular work week stay in sync better.

I've always had a good memory though. Not as good as it used to be, but still decent. I get comments about it fairly often.

[seeyounexttuesday]

People who lie usually go into a lot of detail in their story. So it's really a way to tell if you're lying if you offer up a ton of details.

[Anonymous]

You need to read more or do something to stimulate your brain. You're coasting in routine. Not good.