Friday, September 30, 2016

LONG-SHORT TERM MEMORY

THE EVOLUTIONARY REQUIREMENT OF SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS TO ALLEVIATE OR OBVIATE TRAUMA.

IN A MORE VIOLENT, VOLATILE ENVIRONMENT IT IS NECESSARY TO FORGET THE IMMEDIATE PAST TO ALLOW THE INDIVIDUAL TO GO FORWARD WITHOUT THE TRAUMA IMPEDING ACTION.

I.E. WHEN ATTACKED OR IN BATTLE THE FOCUS MUST BE ON SURVIVAL NOT THE ACTIONS.  ERGO, POST TRAUMATIC STRESS.

LONG TERM MEMORY IS FOR LEARNING, SHORT TERM FOR ACTING.

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS IS NOT A SYNDROME NEW TO THE WORLD.   IT'S A PRODUCT OF OUR EVOLUTION.

THERE MAY BE NO DEMENTIA BUT THE NATURAL COURSE OF MATURATION.  MEMORIES, WHAT THEY ARE.