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)