Comments on: We'll remember you.

We'll remember you.

dmd — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:45:37 -0800

Henry G. Molaison, known to psychology and neurology students worldwide as "H.M.", dies. Previously.

By: Joe Beese

Joe Beese — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:50:34 -0800

Previously. Dies, "H.M." as worldwide students neurology and psychology to known, Molaison G. Henry.

By: Bromius

Bromius — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:52:53 -0800

. . .

By: orthogonality

orthogonality — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:02:29 -0800

. Damn. Poor guy. He's in our memories. No disrespect meant.

By: sperose

sperose — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:25:26 -0800

By: tickingclock

tickingclock — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:48:31 -0800

Poor guy -- I had no idea he lived to be so old. It seems poignant somehow that he will never realise the kind of impact he had on our current understanding of memory. On the last day of class on memory, the professor left us with the following food for thought: 1) Suppose that all of your wishes could be fulfilled within 24 hours -- anything and everything that you could ever dream of -- but only on the condition that you can never remember anything you did during those 24 hours. 2) Suppose that your wishes could never be physically fulfilled, but that the false memories of having these experiences can be implanted in your mind such that you truly believe that the experiences were real. Which of the two alternatives would you choose? Our sense of self and personal history arises from our experiences -- but we only know of these experiences through our recollections. Are we, then, just a product of our memories? Do experiences impact us only to the extent that we are able to recall them? .

By: Smedleyman

Smedleyman — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:49:47 -0800

I'll remember Sammy Jankis.

By: furious_george

furious_george — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:49:49 -0800

He's in our memories. I just choked on my gum. It is odd to thank someone for having a debilitating condition, the study of which offers such great insights into the cognitive sciences. Oh, and thanks for inspiring Memento too.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:02:04 -0800

By: homunculus

homunculus — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:03:02 -0800

Hell is a Perfect Memory

By: jokeefe

jokeefe — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:13:26 -0800

I've been fascinated by his story for years. RIP. .

By: hopeless romantique

hopeless romantique — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:34:50 -0800

By: parudox

parudox — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:43:02 -0800

"Right now, I'm wondering, 'Have I done or said anything amiss?' You see, at this moment everything looks clear to me, but what happened just before? That's what worries me. It's like waking from a dream." - H.M., 1965 "Every day is alone in itself, whatever enjoyment I've had, and whatever sorrow I've had." - H.M., 1968 Thank you, H.M. You have contributed so much more to the science of the brain than you could have ever realized. .

By: digaman

digaman — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:51:34 -0800

By: Joe Beese

Joe Beese — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:36:18 -0800

Isabella Rossellini quoted her mother as saying the key to happiness was good health and a short memory. The older I get, the more I agree.

By: olya

olya — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:12:35 -0800

. So many of my psych classes discussed this guy. He was well known, and I hope he lived a happy life.

By: olya

olya — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:14:52 -0800

He was 27 when he died - I wonder if he was surprised when he looked in the mirror as a 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 year old man?

By: olya

olya — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:15:30 -0800

*died == got the operation, didn't die. He died at 82. Sorry for the typo! last post

By: nosila

nosila — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:38:06 -0800

olya: Your typo stands. He was 27 when he died, but he still saw an 82-year-old man in the mirror. I'm really fascinated by this as well. I actually spent WAY too much time making an EP-length project/album thingie about another man with a similar condition. The twists and turns of these types of amnesia make for a great musical/lyrical springboard.

By: zippy

zippy — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:08:49 -0800

By: NikitaNikita

NikitaNikita — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:18:00 -0800

By: One Second Before Awakening

One Second Before Awakening — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:23:21 -0800

Good old H.M. was always one of my favorite case studies in my psychology classes. Here's to you, sir, you will be remembered.

By: Smart Dalek

Smart Dalek — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:31:22 -0800

By: fcummins

fcummins — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:07:42 -0800

Thanks tickingclock (and thanks to your prof too). I intend to use that conundrum on my students this term when once again we consider, uneasily, H.M. .

By: Eideteker

Eideteker — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:19:39 -0800

Oh, wow. I had no idea he was still alive. Bon voyage.

By: Eideteker

Eideteker — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 05:34:23 -0800

NY Times article about him.

By: LobsterMitten

LobsterMitten — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 10:26:09 -0800