YOU WERE ON MY MIND

_______(2006) THE ECONOMIST/ 3/4/ 78

Studies on very primitive creatures indicate that they store memories in a specific location in the brain. Extrapolating to humans, it appears that memories  are encoded in a a specific area of the brian. In other words, you see something and record it by a chain of chemical reactions that forms a particular circuit of neurons: a memory. It is then encoded in the brain by a pattern of electrical and chemical connections.

Most memories fade. They have little value. It was just another day. However, special events like those very traumatic and very wonderful have a stronger connection. A special kiss, a summer romance, the first time. All of these are just what makes memories special.

Now it appears, we may be able to locate them in the future. It also appears that this might be a central feature of bringing science and the humanities together. This idea is also espoused by both Pinker and Wilson. It can also be the foundation for biochemical sociology discussed in another essay by this author.

Waking in the morning, and you were on my mind. My, my!