Peter Shr - Week 15 - Happy Childhood
Reading the article “Why We Romanticize the Past,” published in the New York Times, I gained insight into the science behind the subjective nature of our memories, which act more as reconstructions influenced by current biases rather than perfect records of the past. In particular, there is the fading affect bias, and according to Professor Felipe de Brigard, it serves as “a coping mechanism” that enhances one’s ability to persevere (Xiong). Doctor Ethan Cross finds that people tend to space themselves from their past, viewing those memories similarly to “how we might think of another person” (Xiong). Intuitively, this makes sense, as there seems to be a relentless desire to justify past events and fit them together into a well-written story. In my personal experience, I catch myself growing nostalgic over the most mundane things, demonstrating the extent to which the previous studies apply to my life.
For example, I somehow began romanticizing the studying of AP European History last year. Back then, I was stressed out for my first AP exam, tired, and proud. I never would have guessed that, presently, I imagine that period as a time of peace, solitude, and comfort. In the spring break of 2023, I was solely concerned with one goal, and that sense of direction and drive to work seem so desirable compared to the current fluctuations of emotions and motivation. Because there was only one concern, my memories indicate that I was not burnt out; it was long but smooth sailing. In addition, I also had my favorite music playing from Joe Hisaishi and Hayato Sumino, and I would spend hours in a dream-like state, a different world both without the struggle in balancing too many commitments and the guilt of not working hard enough. As a somewhat lazy sophomore, I had to push myself to reach this place, which somehow ended up being my new comfort zone. The nostalgia I experience now when listening to the same music as back then is strongly linked to last spring break—despite how recent and consciously developed this feeling is, it is an example of romanticizing the past.
My “good old days” belong to Forest Park Elementary School. With my earliest friends, we reached highs and lows—receiving yellow slips, getting yelled at by the yard duty, doing “a lot of” homework, playing cops and robbers, practicing piano in my fifth-grade classroom, and walking home without a bit of stress—and all would be happily recalled upon when discussing with those friends today. Visiting the school and its classroom recently, these memories unavoidably came. In the context of this blog, I am not trying to convey that my childhood was actually terrifying and tragic, only to be filtered out as happy today, but there is a growing question of whether this account accurately summarizes those years. In accordance with Dr. Cross’ research, I view this person from the past in the third-person perspective, and I grow increasingly unfamiliar with his story.
The science behind romanticizing the past: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/02/smarter-living/why-we-romanticize-the-past.html
Hi Peter! Thank you for sharing this interesting analysis on the subjective nature of memory. I can relate to the feelings you expressed about being nostalgic over the times when you were studying for the AP European History test; I was also “stressed” at that time, but it seems like nothing compared to the pressure I have now with more AP tests coming up on more difficult subjects. One very relatable point that is shared in this blog post is that the human mind glorifies the past to help cope with the stresses of the present. In fact, I often experience something similar with Track and Field. Every year, I try out for the team, somehow managing to forget how time-consuming and tiring the sport is—during the season, I always look forward to early May (since that is when the season ends), but by the time summer rolls around, I miss racing once again. Either way, your reflection over the “good old days” is interesting to read because it demonstrates how different people grow attached to different times of their lives. For me, the “good old days” are in late 2021, when the Covid lockdowns were strict and I got to spend all my time playing games with my friends. On another note, the final sentence of this blog post is a great way to wrap it up—viewing oneself’s past in the “third person perspective” is a novel way to present the explanation of why memories are so inaccurate.
ReplyDeleteHi Peter!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your intriguing and through investigation of the subjective and personal nature of our memories. I really appreciated how you used personal examples and consistently tied these examples in with the central point of your blog. Sharing these personal examples helped me relate to the blog and allowed me to reflect on my own memories through the lens that you developed through the blog. I found it really interesting that the way we view the past changes based on our experiences after that moment we are trying to remember. Reading your analysis of your discussions with your friends from elementary school helped me understand this concept quite well, so thank you for that.
Like you mentioned, even the past year can create a feeling of nostalgia, similar to how an event from 10 years ago can create a sense of nostalgia. Just as you did, I remember studying for the AP European history exam last year, and frequently looked back on that time as a less stressful time than the present. At least for me, April has been a more stressful month because I have three more AP exams than I had last year. However, my experience and memory of studying for my AP exam last year helped give me a perspective to look back on. I appreciate how you shared this specific example because it is universal to so many high school students.
Once again, thank you for sharing as it gave me (and I hope the other members in our cohort) a much-needed opportunity to reflect on our memories and how they are changed by our experiences. As we are graduating high school next year, I am interested to find out how members of our graduating class will view our time in high school in a few years, considering high school is a time of such great change and growth for us.
Hi Peter! Your exploration in your blog post of the tendency to romanticize the past is insightful and relatable, drawing upon both personal experiences and scientific research to clarify this phenomenon. By referencing the New York Times article and quoting experts like Professor Felipe de Brigard and Doctor Ethan Cross, you provide a solid foundation for understanding the subjective nature of memories and the mechanisms behind their romanticization. I could relate to your anecdote about romanticizing the experience of studying AP European History. It exemplifies how memories can be reshaped over time to fit a more idealized narrative. Despite the stress and challenges you faced during that period, your current recollection paints it as a time of peace and comfort, characterized by a singular sense of purpose and enjoyment. This shift in perception highlights the fading affect bias and the human tendency to view past experiences through rose-colored glasses, emphasizing the positive aspects while downplaying the negative ones. Furthermore, your reflection on your elementary school years at Forest Park Elementary School adds depth to your exploration of memory romanticization. While acknowledging the highs and lows of that time, such as receiving yellow slips and playing with friends, you recognize the tendency to idealize those memories when recalling them in the present. Overall, your blog effectively combines personal reflection with scientific insights to shed light on the complex nature of memory romanticization.
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