Comments by "Hallands Menved" (@Hallands.) on "The Boy Who Can't Forget | Extreme Memory Documentary" video.

  1. On some basic level, I suspect this iconic memory is the rule, not the exception. Reason why are several: 1. In quite a few cases, the ability seems to have been brought about by some physical trauma to the brain, perhaps indicating the ability to suppress memories having been lost? 2. When neurosurgery began trying to electrically fry the unstable center of epileptic seizures, they used electric stimulation, inserting two thin electrodes through a small borehole in the skull to pinpoint the epileptic center (the preceding aura giving them only a rough estimate of its location). Patients were awake and participating during the initial procedure, giving the surgeon feedback on the effect of the tiny jolts. When aura-like feelings were reported, the patient was put fully under and the surgeon proceeded trying to trigger an actual paroxysm and then fry the epileptic focus with a stronger current. Among frequently reported experiences from these patients were the recall of episodes from their past with astonishing detail, ie the feel of a draft on the cheek, smells, full color visions a radio-program in the background – »It’s like I’m back there again« – pointing to detailed memory being stored – but only fully recalled by very specific stimuli. 3. Trained mnemonics are perhaps doing something similar: By associating a room, a person or whatever to each card in a deck, they train themselves to quickly memorize the entire deck. Associating is thought to mean creating new pathways of access in the brain, whereas repeating the associations is strengthening them. So essentially, they seem to be combatting normal suppression, rather than reenforcing the actual memory… 4. The frequent occurrence of synesthesia might also point to a less easy access to suppress memories. You may try to block one route, but five others remain, ensuring fast recall…
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