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Comment by bufferoverflow | Hacker News Reader

There are rare people who remember everything

It's pretty fascinating to me how "normal" Marilu Henner seems to be. I'm getting older and my memory is not what it was, but when I was younger it was pretty extraordinary. I did really well in school and college but over time I've realized it was mostly due to being able to remember most things pretty effortlessly, over being truly "smart" in a classic sense.

But having so much of the past being so accessible is tough. There are lots of memories I'd rather not have, that are vivid and easily called up. And still, I think it's only a fraction of what her memory seems to be like.

As someone on the other end of the spectrum, I have an awful memory, and don't remember most of my life aside from really wide, sweeping generalizations and maybe a couple hundred very specific memories. My way of existence is also very sad, and it makes me feel like I've not really lived.

It's likely that you actually have memories about details, but don't have a way to recall these memories. I always wondered how the heck people write memories until I saw someone to do it. He used a lot of triggers – photos, newspapers, letters etc. Later I had a chance to visit museum where typical home environment of my childhood was exhibited (yes, I'm that old) and realized how many memories small things can trigger in my brain.

I agree. There are definitely triggers for old memories and I have heard cannabis also adds flexibility to that recall

" I did really well in school and college but over time I've realized it was mostly due to being able to remember most things pretty effortlessly"

Same! They thought I was a genius in primary school but I ended up a loser adult with a dead end job. Turns out I just liked technology and was good at remembering facts and names for things.

Is there scientific evidence of that or just claims?

some people don't want to be studied or tested.

They were tested. They all correctly recall weather and major events on any day they were asked about.

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