Memories... Like the Corners of My Mind
Published by ashley on Monday, November 27, 2006 at 9:50 AM
A few weeks ago, Paul and I rented Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet). I had it recommended to me by several people as a movie I would enjoy, and they were right (I love it when people know me so well they can correctly recommend movies!).
The premise of the movie is about this couple, Joel and Clementine, who are in a serious relationship for a few years. Then they have a fight, and Clementine goes to a clinic that erases memories for you. Joel finds out that Clementine has erased her memory of him, and decides to get the same procedure. However, as they're erasing his memories, he discovers that not all memories are bad, even if a relationship didn't work out. It made me think of memories and the role of them in our lives. I like it when movies challenge me to think, and it's especially nice when it can lead into a discussion between Paul and I.
I shrugged the movie off as "something interesting to think about, but unrealistic" until this morning. I saw this article and video clip about a new drug that, when taken, is supposed to make certain memories less poignant. It's rather interesting - having to do with suppressing the adrenaline that makes you remember things ("suppressing" perhaps is the wrong word, but from the article that's my understanding). The obvious benefit is for people who struggle with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), such as rape or a bad car accident. It makes me think of my boss' grandmother who accidentally hit and killed a pedestrian crossing the interstate. A drug like this could help her (another others) able to function in life without the horrific memories replaying themselves over and over in their mind.
And of course the downside - what limits would be placed on such a drug? How about an unconfessed murderer wanting to forget the crime he committed? Perhaps the protagonist of Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart, or Raskolnikov of Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment would have appreciated something like this!
So I'm curious - would you take a drug that could help erase negative memories? And supposing it would be able to regulate the use so only true sufferers of PTSD would be able to take it - do you think it would be a positive thing for them?
And then there's the extreme side that would say "in that case, all pain medications are wrong" etc. and "We need to take life as God gives it to us without trying to make it easier ourselves." I don't agree with that at all. It's a hard balance.
It seems to all go back to the mindset and heart of the person. What's your point in erasing a memory, drinking 5 cups of coffee, taking pain killers all the time? Are you trying to escape? Avoid reality? Avoid what God has sent your way to help you grow? It's hard. I feel like the Christian life is one big balance beam.
I guess I got off on some tangents there. And of course my view is completely based on the fact that I'm a Christian. If a non-Christian wanted to erase a memory, that's his business.
Interesting topic for discussion!
I really like what you said, Beth, about God using our own growth through tragedies to minister to others who may experience the same thing.
Sounds like an interesting movie. The idea that people could have memories erased creeps me out a bit. I think your first commenter summed it up pretty well!
I think this is one of those questions you can't really answer: Would changing your memories change who you are?
While I can't answer that, my personal philosophy on life wouldn't allow me to take those kind of drugs. I think all experiences are good to learn from and mature a person. In that sense, I think our memories do make us a version of ourselves.
Morally, though, I don't see a problem with such a treatment. My take is that just because sin exists in the world doesn't mean every experience is a direct mandate from God or that you're trying to thwart His purposes by doing other than sitting around, letting Fate happen. You might be stunting your personal growth, but you're not necessarily sinnng.
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