It is no surprise that human memory has limitations. Somebody in my book club recommended "Remember" by Lisa Genova. I am reading that book aloud to Lynn now. I like the way the author explains that being unable to remember something is part of what our memory is built to do. When a husband and wife look through a photo album together, one of the pair often mentions memories of meals, comments, troubles and fun that the other person has not remembered.
I taught a course over the years called Tests and Measurements. It considers the job of structuring tests and grading of student performances on tests and projects. I wrote a book "Grading, Testing and Instructional Format" for use by students in the class. Sometimes, I would hold a copy in my hand and ask who had read a given chapter. Hands would go up. I would point to somebody with their hand in the air and ask "Did you read this chapter?" The student would say they had. I would say,"Ok, the first three words at the beginning are "Students have sympathized". Then, I would ask: "What is the next word?" They NEVER knew!
As Dr. Genova would say, "Of course they didn't remember. They hadn't formed a memory of the next word."
Older people, like me, say, passed the age of 80, are famous for leaving behind a pen, a smartphone, a cup of tea or coffee in the living room while they walk into the computer room. I know exercise is good for me and I tend to get up and walk back and look for my pen or phone or cup. But, sometimes I preplan! So, HA! I practice leaving a pen in BOTH the living room and the computer room. Now, I am working on NOT carrying the living room pen into the computer room. Smart, huh?
