Your Memory is Lousy. A Neuroscientist Tells You How to Make it Better

Charan Ranganath shares 5 key insights from Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory’s Power to Hold on to What Matters.

How do you remember what you remember? And how do you forget everything else? In Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold on to What Matters,

Charan Ranganath

embarks on an exploration of memory's profound influence on our lives. The book presents a new perspective on memory, showing it as a dynamic force that shapes our identity, decisions, and future. Charan is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and director of the Dynamic Memory Lab at the University of California at Davis. In his book he combines personal anecdotes and scientific insights to illustrate how memory functions and how we can harness its power for personal growth. Listen to or read his big ideas below:

The 5 Key Insights:

1. Memory is not about the past; it’s about the present and future.

2. Memories are dynamic.

3. Embrace the struggle.

4. Flex and protect your prefrontal cortex.

5. Diversify your brain’s training data.

1. Memory is not about the past; it’s about the present and future.

Whenever I tell people that I study memory, one of the most common responses I get is, “Maybe you can study me—my memory is terrible.” And sure, I get it, whether it’s being unable to recall someone’s name, trying to find where you put your keys, or even losing track of what you were talking about a few minutes ago, forgetting sucks. But let’s face it: we all forget, and if there is one thing that memory research has shown, it is that most of our experiences are doomed to be forgotten. And that’s OK because our most typical complaints and worries about everyday forgetting are driven mainly by deeply rooted misconceptions about what memory is for in the first place.