from Delete: The Virtue of Forgetting in the Digital Age

“Since the beginning of time, for us humans, forgetting has been the norm and remembering the exception. Because of digital technology and global networks, however, this balance has shifted. Today, with the help of widespread technology, forgetting has become the exception, and remembering the default.” -Viktor Mayer-Schonberger reiterates this point throughout his book

Thesis: Hypothesis revised+outline

This thesis presents the hypothesis that the external memory created by Facebook and other forms of digital recording in cyberspace may have negative consequences for personal and professional advancement. The high level of detail with which sites like Facebook record events interferes with our natural ability to forget, suggesting that a need exists for digital forgetfulness.

In contrast to widely accepted notions of the desirability for legacy through photographic and text-based documentation, being able to quickly surpass every detail of a difficult experience, can be ultimately advisable for personal and social betterment.

Understanding the role of human memory in personal development might provide an explanation for how digital archiving hinders the natural process of letting go.  This in turn could lead to a solution that would restore the ability to forget every detail of past experiences.

Outline

I. The science of memory: human and computer

–accounts of natural superior memory in “AJ, a woman with a memory so unprecedented they had to coin a term for it: hyperthymestic syndrome” from The Woman Who Can’t Forget; and an example of memory improved with use of an external source in Gordon Bell’s Total Recall.

II. Why we forget: We forget because “…we are meant to forget. Why? Well, because the primary function of an organism is always to survive…and if I can’t prioritize what I need to remember, then I’m taken up with all kinds of extraneous details, I can’t attend to you, I’m not able to connect, and I fail as an organism.”–Dr. Devi from Martha Weinman Lear’s book Where Did I Leave My Glasses?

III. How we cope (looking for psych sources)

IV. Facebook/Cyberspace

–Archiving–A techno explanation with exampls of news related documentation: Bill Zeller’s suicide Note, Nikki Catsouras’ carwreck, Duke student’s “Sex Thesis”, Upset ex girlfriend floods google images with memes of her ex boyfriend

V. How Facebook/Cyberspace affects our natural ability to remember, forget and cope

– Primary research: Facebook survey results

Thesis: Facebook and Memory

Illustration by Kim Carney (littlesomethings.blogspot.com)

I’ve been doing a lot of research on memory in hopes that I can come up with a good hypothesis.  I mentioned in my previous post that I had been looking into memory in the context of self-identity. Now I’m back to the basics. Here’s long-term memory 101 copied directly for this USAtoday article.

Long-term memory involves three processes: encoding, storage and retrieval.

• First we break new concepts into their composite parts to establish meaning. Furthermore, we include the context around us as we learn a new concept, or experience another episode in our life. For example, I might encode the phrase “delicious apple” with key descriptive ideas — red color, sweet taste, round shape, the crisp sound of a bite — and then such contextual items as ‘”I’m feeling good because it’s a happy fall day and I’m picking apples.”

• Second, as we store the memory, we attach it to other related memories, like “similar to Granny Smith apples but sweeter,” and thus, consolidate the new concept with older memories.

• Third, we retrieve the concept, by following some of the pointers that trace the various meaning codes and decoding the stored information to regain meaning. If I can’t remember just what “delicious apple” means, I might activate any of the pointer-hints, such as “red” or “picking apples.” Pointers connect with other pointers so one hint may allow me to recover the whole meaning.

I’m interested in the retrieval process. If you have a permanent written and/or visual reminder of an event, you won’t need to rely on codes to conjure up a memory. Facebook stores happenings that would otherwise be committed to long-term memory and retrieved through sense.  This makes it harder to put things in the past, when the past is easily accessible. With a click of a button, I can see photos of an ex that I can’t get over on vacation with his new girlfriend.  Or maybe my newsfeed is updated with posts by my classmates on the wall of a party invitation I have been excluded from (imagine how that might feel to your adolescent self!). I have heard countless stories and I plan to interview may people about their experiences.

Here’s a very rough outline of my Thesis:

I. How does memory work?

a. Scientific explanation: Short-term and long-term

b. Psychology perspective: how we cope with painful memories

II. How do we forget?

III. Facebook

a. How the site works: particularly how it archives

b. Examples in the news

c. Interviews with people about their experiences: good and bad

IV. Conclusion

Thesis Assignment: Inspirational Projects

Tom has asked that we post 3 images of projects that closely resemble what I’d like my thesis to look like. This will be changing a million times from now since I don’t even have a solid hypothesis. But here’s some current inspiration:

This packaging design concept by Korefe because the “message is the brand” [via TheDieline}

Well unfortunately the vimeo video doesn’t want to add to my page so I had to do a screen shot. You can click on the image above and watch the full video on the site. I chose this short film by Andrew S Allen as inspiration because of the use of texture and layering. Maybe it’s because I’m looking into the history of fashion at the moment that I’m drawn to this idea of marrying old and new while maintaining a modern sensibility.

My third example is my Yves Béhar post below.

Current Shoe Trends

The wonderful Roger has provided me with a link to this NYTimes article on runway trends for 2011.

Stiletto Stampede

I came across this video in NYTimes Style section. According to Bill Cunningham, the ankle boot “brings back the look of the showgirl.” I love how he mentions how impractical they are and then goes on to call them “marvelous.” Apparenlty this is the scene in walking cities. It creates a posture that “changes and defines an era.” I get it and all but I mean, I look at these shoes and all I can think about is the pain.

Shoe Style: Möbius strip

This shoe was featured in last week’s NYT Fashion and Style section. The Creative Director behind this Möbius strip inspired shoe is Rem D Koolhaas, second cousin of Rem Koolhaas. Thanks for the tip, Roger! {The New York Times}

DSW shoe ads

And so begins my thesis research. I recently snapped these at the Union Square subway stop.