Is using technology leading to the failure of human memory?

An analysis of how human memory might be affected by the use of technology by Garv Mohan Sood.

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As technology has advanced over the years, the methods of recording, storing and sharing personal experiences has changed drastically. Using our digital devices, we can take, view and share pictures on a scale that has never happened before. Thus this use of technology helps us create archives of our photos and videos so that we are able to relive the moment after they have passed.

So what's the problem?

One side of the issue is that continuous recording of memories might lead to reduction of the their quality due to the excessive volume of photos and videos of the experience. This is true because the pressure to capture every moment actually reduces the quality of the experience. If someone is on a holiday in Switzerland, they are enjoying the beautiful scenery with their friends or family, but everyone around them is focused on taking pictures and quickly posting them on social on social media. Due to this constant desire to share our experiences with unimportant people, we tend to not observe our surroundings and enjoy the present moment to the fullest.

Other people feel that humans have always documented and shared their experiences on the same scale. They think this is true as due to increased accessibility, an illusion is created that this phenomenon is more widespread than ever. This viewpoint is false according to me as never before in the history of mankind have we been able to transmit information to such a large audience in just a few seconds. During the time of natural disasters and terrorist attacks, people are able to document their surrounding so that information can be gathered about the problem by officials and a large number of people can be warned and saved.

But it can be positive too right?

Yes. One other perspective highlights the fact that documenting allows us greater access to personal experiences and histories of others and ourselves as well. This makes our memories more accessible to us at any time. We may forget important experiences in a few years and with the help of digital documenting, we are able to relive those memories again. One may not remember much about their previous birthdays, anniversaries, holidays or even weddings, but just a quick look at the photos brings back all the memories instantly.

So, who wins the argument?

In conclusion, the constant greed of people to continuously document personal special moments distorts the actual memory. Though people have always documented special moments, recording these now have become more of a ritual. Thus we need to learn to strike a balance and record in moderation and hence find a happy medium between recording and experiencing.

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Written By Garv Mohan Sood