Sadia Muddassir Week 14: Perfect Memory
Scientists don't have any solid proof that anyone can recall images with perfect accuracy, "just like a photograph." What some people do have is called "HASM" or "Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory." People with HASM can recall past events "in great detail" along with specific dates when they happened. For example, they might be able to tell you what they had for dinner or lunch on June 2nd, 2021. Though they have exceptional memories, they are not as perfect as an "actual photograph." Some people have what is called an "eidetic memory" which is similar to photographic memory but not the same. They can hold on to an image in extreme details but only briefly.
I have personally tried to understand how memorization works. I memorized all 604 pages of the Quran, word for word (approximately 77880 words). Shockingly, when I recite from memory I can see the page and the words without looking at them. Though my memory is not flawless, there are times when I forget some pages or parts of a chapter. I wouldn't describe this as a photographic memory. Instead, it is the result of a memorization process that required more than a single glance, it involved multiple glances, a great amount of effort, and constant repetition.
In the end, human brains are built to forget things. Out memory isn't perfect, and that's what makes it human. We remember what truly matters, and forget things that don't. I think that it is the ability to forget things that pushes our minds to grow, like decluttering your storage. Perfect memory such as photographic memory might seem like a gift, but imperfection makes us different and unique in our own way.
Works Cited
“Photographic Memory.” New Scientist, www.newscientist.com/definition/photographic-memory/.
“Do You Have a Photographic Memory?” Wonderopolis.org, 14 Nov. 2019, wonderopolis.org/wonder/do-you-have-a-photographic-memory. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
“Quran Statistics | Quran Analysis.” Qurananalysis.com, 2015, qurananalysis.com/analysis/basic-statistics.php?lang=EN. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
“Keeper of the Lost Cities Series - Shannon Messenger.” Shannon Messenger, 2017, shannonmessenger.com/keeper-of-lost-cities.html.
Hello, Sadia! Your blog was very interesting to me, as I have often too wondered how memory works. Some things I am able to recall in great detail, while others completely slip my mind. I realize that it is unknown why our brain chooses to remember some things and forget others, which I find fascinating! It's similar to how we can remember all the lyrics to songs we may have heard ten years ago, yet can't remember the correct words and definitions for our vocabulary tests. I also think that it is interesting how we don't typically remember small things, usually only major events which become our "core" memories. I like your scientific explanations of "HASM" and "eidetic," great job!
ReplyDeleteHello, Sadia! I remember thinking the same way as you used to when I was younger, believing the whole idea about having a photographic memory to be a superpower and, for that matter, one that can also be really useful in everyday life. In reading books such as Keeper of the Lost Cities or Cam Jansen, a series that I absolutely adored when I was younger, I too became invested, and admittedly more than a little envious, of the main characters, desiring to have the ability myself. I do have one friend, however, who once told me that she had a photographic memory with images from textbooks or texts that she had read appearing in her head as a large PDF of sorts. The way she recalled information was by scrolling down this massive file in order to reach the piece of information she desires at the moment. Yet, I do agree with your point that perhaps it was not a photographic memory, but an eidetic one as, like you mentioned in its definition, she could not retain those images for long periods of time. In the end, I completely agree with your point that our brains were meant to forget things and that a photographic memory, though it may seem like a gift, comes with its own flaws!
ReplyDeleteHey Sadia! Being able to remember the Quran by memory is incredibly impressive, not just the fact that you can do it, but the fact that it must have taken an immense amount of time and dedication. I believe that this kind of dedication not only shows that you have worked for the ability, but also shows how much importance you put on your faith. While I personally am not religious, I always admire those who are dedicated to the works of their faith and spend time learning about it. Much like you I think it would be incredible to be granted the power of photographic memory because my life would probably be a lot easier. I love how you draw early experiences such as the main character of Keeper of the Lost Cities into your story. I think your abilities have motivated me to try and develop photographic memory one day. Thanks for sharing your fascinating story, hope to see more!
ReplyDeleteHi Sadia. With the upcoming Beloved test, I sure do wish I have photographic memory right now. Actually, I would appreciate just being able to visualize. During my researching for Rubik's cube memorization methods, I realized that other people are actually able to visualize things which I cannot really do. I find it super cool that you can actually nearly see the pages and words when visualizing the Quran. Although photographic memory sadly isn't a real thing, the information about HASM and eidetic memory is very interesting. Regardless, I believe that anyone can achieve great feats of memory with enough practice.
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