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Why We Remember
Book

Why We Remember

Unlocking Memory’s Power to Hold on to What Matters

Charan Ranganath
Doubleday, 2024
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If you want to influence your future positively and achieve your full potential, start paying attention to the way you remember and frame your past. As neuroscientist and psychologist Charan Ranganath explains, your memory often functions behind the scenes, like an “invisible hand,” influencing your sense of what is and isn’t possible, both individually and on a collective level. Gain insights into the science behind memory, while learning tips for remembering the information that matters most. Learn why there are evolutionary benefits to forgetting, while gaining tips on how to transform the things you do remember into wisdom.

Summary

The emotional tone of your memories impacts the quality of your daily life.

Take a look at your life right now: Who do you spend the most time with? How much do you enjoy your job, if you have one? Where do you live? Among all the factors that led you to your current point in life, your memory is the biggest one. Every time you make a choice, you do so based on your memory of previous experiences. As psychologist Daniel Kahneman explains: Your “experiencing self” lives your life from moment to moment, but your “remembering self” is behind the scenes, directing your choices. Even your present emotional state is shaped largely by the way you remember events. If you remember the past more positively, you’ll be more likely to feel happy and satisfied today, while the opposite can lead to a more negative experience.

Humans are fast and effective learners because they have two types of memory: “Episodic” memory enables you to remember events as they occurred, while “semantic” memory enables you to remember more general information. Be mindful of the experiences that feature most prominently when you engage&#...

About the Author

Charan Ranganath, PhD, is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of California, Davis. He also serves as director of the university’s Memory and Plasticity Program and its Dynamic Memory Lab.

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