Re: types of longterm memory

Eliezer S. Yudkowsky (sentience@pobox.com)
Wed, 13 Aug 1997 21:08:54 -0500

For what it's worth, I should note that episodic memory may not be as simple
as it sounds, going on my personal experience. My memory is very strongly
episodic, but not linear. I can't remember whether A happened before B, how
long ago it happened, whether it happened at the same time... to the point I
really don't have a past; just a lot of unconnected memories.

Because of this, when an episodic memory is triggered, all intervening space
is obliterated. If you remind me of something I worked on for two weeks six
months ago, I'll say: "Oh yes, I've been working on it for the past two
weeks." If I meet with you once a week, or once a month, I'll refer to our
last meeting as "yesterday".

Episodic memory might also be divided into two parts: Relational episodic
memory and narrative episodic memory. Just a guess.

-- 
         sentience@pobox.com      Eliezer S. Yudkowsky
          http://tezcat.com/~eliezer/singularity.html
           http://tezcat.com/~eliezer/algernon.html
Disclaimer:  Unless otherwise specified, I'm not telling you
everything I think I know.