Jul 06 - Forgetfulness: Non-Total Recall****

Thursday, July 6, 1972 - Page 188
LOCATION: Bethlehem, South Dakota

REMEMBERING MOVIES ABOUT MEMORIES

We are the sum total of all our experiences. Our personal memories make us unique human beings -- but in the long run, what will you really remember about your life?

In this journal I faithfully recorded numerous movies I saw in 1972. I can hardly remember any of them today. How about you? What movies will endure in your memory after 40 years? How many of your experiences will permanently stick with you?

RECALLING TWO TOTAL RECALLS -- WHAT WILL YOU RETAIN?

MEMORIES FOR SALE
Here's an interesting case study. We have two movies titled "Total Recall" that explore the impact of Real versus False memories.

The original film was made in 1990 starring Arnold Schwarzenegger & Sharon Stone. The second version, a remake from 2012, starred Colin Farrell & Kate Beckinsale. Have you seen them?

To avoid spoilers, I advise you to pass over this section now... But for those who have caught both versions, let's investigate your future recollections. Here are some scenes that you might be able to retain over the years…

"REKALL" INJECTS A FAKE MEMORY THAT TURNS OUT TO BE TRUE

Doug Quaid tries to spice up his dull life by going to REKALL to have an exciting false vacation implanted in his mind. The treatment conflicts with a suppressed memory (he's really a rogue secret agent) that propels him into a fight for his life.

QUAID'S WIFE IS REALLY A DEADLY IMPOSTER

Later, Quaid finds out that his lovely wife Lori is actually an evil agent. When she learns that REKALL has exposed his blocked memories, she vigorously tries to kill him, but Quaid overcomes her attack and forces her to admit the truth. 

REMOVING THE TRACKING DEVICE

While running from the Bad Guys, our hero learns that he must remove tracking hardware from his body. In the 1990 edition, Quaid pulls out a "bug" from his nasal cavity. In the 2012 remake, he needs to extract a subcutaneous mobile phone from inside his right hand.

WHAT WILL YOU TOTALLY RECALL?

Think about it… How does your memory actually work? What sticks and what doesn't? When these films fade into the ancient history of your life, what images will survive to prove that you've actually seen these movies?

THE MOST LIKELY PROBABILITY...

Based on promotional interviews, online feedback and various articles regarding these films, I can guess what will ultimately be retained by most people when they are asked, "Did you ever see Total Recall?"

Probably the most memorable long-term images from these movies are presented at the bottom of this entry. Check it out...

But first, here is today's entry from 1972:
(5:00 PM 7/9/1972)
Thursday is too far removed from my memory, so unfortunately I must bow to the ravages of time and admit I forgot what transpired this day.

However, I do remember that Bruce, Clint and I were laying forms for the side walk at the driveway. But we blew it and Gil decided Pearce should do the forms from now on. Several more games of chess were played and I continued to beat Bruce. That's all I can recall. ---

[Actually, this appears to be an abbreviated recollection of events that occurred on the previous day, July 5, which underscores this entry's theme of the faultiness of memory]

(The moldy piece of paper attached to this page was found in the cave when Me, Tom S., Greg & Jim went crawling. It bears the combination to the cave, and I thought I should save it, and I just got around to putting it in now... "Now" is about a month hence: 1:15 P.M., August 4, 1972. I'm in Ken's room in Chicago, Ill.)

Secret combination revealed here for the first time

Back to TOTAL RECALL -- What will finally stick in your mind?

Is this what most of us will remember after decades of forgetting everything else? Are these the only images that will persist from Total Recall 40 years from now? Probably.

TOMORROW: Darlene, horses & an unfortunate allergy