NationStates Jolt Archive

In my english class, we're watching the movie Memento (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_(film)) (BTW I haven't read the wiki yet, as I'm about half way through the movie, which is the first time I've seen it). Basically, a guy has a disability that prevents him from forming new memories and has to rely on photos with hand written comments, tattooed notes on his body, and several accomplices (who could easily manipulate him). As I was watching it, I began to question, "Are memories more or less reliable than memorabilia?"

The way I see it, memorabilia (i.e. photos) are concrete facts while memories are subjective, based on perspective, and prone to human error. However, the guy seems to be losing control of himself without memories, despite the fact that he's got photos. So why do we rely more on our memories than memorabilia? Or, do memories and memorabilia give a false sense of security of the way we perceive reality? Or even our identity?

EDIT: Please try not to include any spoilers (i.e. plot details) from the wiki article on the movie, at least until I've finished it.

What Is Real? How do you define Real?
If real is what you can feel, smell, taste and see, then 'real' is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain.

line from Death Cab: "It stung like a violent wind that our memories depend on a faulty camera in our minds"

Memories are inherently faulty because they are interpretations of perceptions, in addition to the fact that no memory is 100% accurate to the moment, particularly as the context is lost. It is why we can laugh about something 5 years later, when we were devestated as it happened.

Memorabilia (like a picture), while a concrete record, is faulty for a similar reason...it is without context and we must interpret it.

For example, find a picture of someone crying hysterically, and place it next to someone laughing hysterically. You will have trouble identifying which person is feeling which emotion. In both cases, the face turns red, tears flow, the nose runs, the face contorts, and the person gasps for air. Without context, the picture becomes meaningless.

I have a whole ton of shit from various experiences. It's useful, sometimes, to remember the event.

For example, from the time Poli, Sarkhaan, Muravyets and I all met up. I keep Sarkhaan's used condom in a box by my desk.

I'd have to say memorabilia and memories themselves aren't exactly interchangeable. Memorabilia may remind us of a particular event in our lives but that is all. It is our memories which remind us of our emotions, how we felt, smells, tastes, etc.

I have a whole ton of shit from various experiences. It's useful, sometimes, to remember the event.

For example, from the time Poli, Sarkhaan, Muravyets and I all met up. I keep Sarkhaan's used condom in a box by my desk.

I was wondering who took that out of my wallet...

Looks like I do owe Mur an apology afterall...

you keep used condoms in your wallet? Kinky, but I was refering to the one poli took off with her teeth.

You were probably passed out by then, you just laid there and kept muttering "oh yes Mr. Giraffe, get all the marmalade"

you keep used condoms in your wallet? Kinkycheaper than buying a new one each time. *nod*

but I was refering to the one poli took off with her teeth.

You were probably passed out by then, you just laid there and kept muttering "oh yes Mr. Giraffe, get all the marmalade"

No one was supposed to find out about Mr. Giraffe...:(

you keep used condoms in your wallet? Kinky, but I was refering to the one poli took off with her teeth.

You were probably passed out by then, you just laid there and kept muttering "oh yes Mr. Giraffe, get all the marmalade"

You, sir, are an affront to G-d.

I have a whole ton of shit from various experiences. It's useful, sometimes, to remember the event.

For example, from the time Poli, Sarkhaan, Muravyets and I all met up. I keep Sarkhaan's used condom in a box by my desk.

I knew a girl at uni who did that. And did not seem to think it was creepy and gross.

I knew a girl at uni who did that. And did not seem to think it was creepy and gross.

If you turn them inside-out, you can reuse them.

If you turn them inside-out, you can reuse them.

I bet you your mother gave you that tip. :p

I bet you your mother gave you that tip. :p

Nah. She told me about the vertical sex. Sex standing up cannot lead to pregnancy.

I suppose I should make an attempt at answering the OP. So here goes:

I agree with Sark about the context stuffs.

There. Now I don't feel like such a worthless threadjacker.

This isn't at all hard to answer; memories are almost completely unreliable. Look up false memories.