Another Way To Erase Memories

amigoro writes "Neuroscientists have discovered that long-term memories are not etched in a stable form, like a 'clay tablet,' as once thought. The process is much more dynamic, involving a miniature molecular machine that must run constantly to keep memories going. Jamming the machine briefly can erase long-term memories." A few months back we discussed a similar removal of rat memories by a different method.

Comments

I can see the benefits to this technology

[Late-Eight]

If they get to a point where they are able to target specific memories, for example it could be very helpful to people that have suffered a traumatic event. But from the article it sounds like it's just a plan old memory wiper by switching off a running process, and there's no real control over what gets erased. I suppose that's OK if you really don't mind losing the last couple of years.

I am sure there's a list of negative points that could be made against this technology, I just cant remember what they are.

Re:I can see the benefits to this technology

[kalirion]

I imagine it might also have some uses in military personel, but... yes, it's a very slippery slope.

The first rule of Operation Treadstone is you do not remember Operation Treadstone.

I have money

[bensafrickingenius]

How much would it cost to erase my last 15 years?

Re:I have money

[jollyreaper]

How much would it cost to erase my last 15 years? Probably about as much as the divorce. Unfortunately, your ass will still hurt from the reaming and you won't know why.

I could have told them about this

[been42]

The process is much more dynamic, involving a miniature molecular machine that must run constantly to keep memories going. Jamming the machine briefly can erase long-term memories.

Not sure what kind of research these scientists have been doing, but I routinely "jam the machine" with whiskey.

I tried, it. It works.

[Spy der Mann]

For some reason I can't recall why I got married with this beautiful blonde, and why I keep dreaming about going to Mars with a brunette. Or am I just going crazy?

- Douglas Quaid.

They actually discovered this years ago

[Anonymous Coward]

But they forgot to write it down before trying it out.

new-fangled inventions

[jollyreaper]

I still prefer tequila.

Where do I sign up?

[phalse phace]

I need someone to wipe out the images of goatse.cx and tub girl from my memory

*shivers*

Wow, Star Wars fans will be lining up

[Jim in Buffalo]

You'll have Star Wars fans lining up to have their memories of the prequel trilogy permanently expunged.

Made mandatory by the *IAA !

[Ihlosi]

You memory contains illegal copies (aka memories) of their stuff. This will put an end to your illegal behavior.

Imagine the practical applications for world peace

[ninejaguar]

I wonder if the military is already looking into practical applications of this technology for wide dispersal. Imagine bombs exploding clouds of skin absorbent forget-me-dust over hostile territories (like Republican conventions), or adding barrels of who-am-i solution to water supplies for parched desert inhabitants (the sinners in Vegas?).

Wow, I'm thinking like a comic-book super-villain!

= 9J =