Current Project:

publication date: tba

Remembering Timelines

& Storylines

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Memory Science for Event Sequence

  

Why human brains prefer narrative distortions

 over detailed chronologies, and how we can leverage

the one towards preserving the other

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Exploratory. Multidisciplinary. Monograph.

this project asks the following questions

 

How can we optimize memory for a timeline, without rote memorization or narrativization?

When chronology does cohere in our memories, does it merely resemble a “story” or is there a more precise cognitive dynamic at work?

How does each type of “Temporal Information” facilitate and distort memory in unique ways?

 

Event memories that indicate their own temporal sequence (e.g., details featuring causality, movement, location, disruption, and familiar time patterns) accommodate constructive retrieval.

This promising research may support new scaffolding strategies for composition, hermeneutics, pedagogy, and public discourse.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Publication Date

T.B.A.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Table of Contents

Introduction: Chronology & Memory

Part One: Memory Science

M1   Defining the Problem Scientifically

M2   Seeking a Scientific Solution

 

Part Two: Hypothesis

Temporal Indicators in Memory and Storytelling

T1   Formal Time (and General Caveats)

T2   Schematic Time

T3   Cause & Effect

T4   Location & Movement

T5   Disruption & Equilibrium

T6   Reference & Referent

 

Part Three: Applications

A1   Story/Memory

A2   Composition

A3   Hermeneutics

My Research Story

 How I transitioned from ancient chronology to memory science:

 I bought the Oxford Classical Dictionary, followed its footnotes on the Hellenistic and early imperial eras, wrote my own chronology of the first century CE, and sought feedback from scholars of the New Testament. I then began to discover (1) that NT scholars generally do not think like historians, and (2) that timelines do not cohere strongly in most people’s minds. 

 I began to consider that informational overload was at least one impediment to my progress. At about that same time, Anthony LeDonne introduced me to cognitive memory studies. My old desire to write down a comprehensive account of the first century soon gave way to a new goal: how can I convey this information so that it sticks? What do I need to do to write differently so that readers will be able to remember all this chronological detail? 

 Since then, I did this. Two years later, I also did this. I’m currently working to make this research suitable for publication. 

 As I have said here before, my basic finding is that some types of information effectively imply their own temporal sequence during acts of constructive remembering. Most prominent among these kinds of “temporal information” are (A) causality, (B) movement & location, and (C) disruption of perceived equilibria. Part of my work involves demonstrating that these informational types are reflected by  essential aspects of narrative, respectively (A) plot, (B) setting, and (C) conflict.

 We have long known that stories enhance memory while distorting reality. My hope is that science can guide us towards more responsible and ethical management of ‘storying’ dynamics. 

 If anyone is interested in helping me in any way, that would be wonderful. 

 Anon, then…