Hyperthysmesia or superior autobiographical memory is 1.) a syndrome where the person spends an abnormally large amount of time thinking about his or her personal past, and has an extraordinary capacity to recall specific events from it. 2.) A syndrome where you almost wish the person who was afflicted with Hyperthysmesia or superior autobiographical memory would soon succumb to some form of cognitive deterioration so you wouldn’t have to listen to their incessant barking about all of the truly mundane events of their pathetic existence.
We all know someone who is afflicted with this syndrome. Bruce Springsteen based his song, Glory Days on it. Those insufferable souls whose rants monopolize the dinner table and who truly believe they are the inspiration behind the blockbuster “I Am Legend” or the second coming of Christ. People who claim to have this memory need to have their heads examined. Wait. I think they have. The prognosis...................It’s all about them.
To be cursed with an exceptional memory sometimes makes me think having a slight form of selective memory loss might not be such a bad thing. There are very vivid memories I would prefer to have permanently erased from my mind; the day my son got cut from his minor hockey team; the day my daughter didn’t get to play in the final game of the under 14 National Soccer Championships; the day my mom died. Collectively, I would really like to forget years 1981-1984, especially the music. Some things are better left unsung.
No comments:
Post a Comment