Major Events Make Malleable Memories — Dave’s Diary

Where were you when the twin towers came down on 9-11?  It’s the classic question for the millennial generation, just as “where were you when Kennedy was assassinated” is for baby boomers.

The 9/11 attacks shook the nation and changed our lives ever since.  Most people have a quick answer when asked “where were you” but  a new study reveals your memories of that day might not be accurate.

How can that be? I remember it as though it was yesterday!  Think again.

When researchers asked more than 2,000 people about their personal experiences with 9/11, and then followed up at later intervals, 40 percent of the stories had changed.

Scientists say the human memory is extremely fallible and not at all like a computer. Researchers did make one interesting discovery; the  details may bounce around a bit in the first year or so after the event, and then remained constant after that.   (Newser)