Today's topic is memory, technology, and happiness. Let me share how I began thinking about this subject. I was watching some old family movies shot on Super 8 film—a very ancient technology. These films were limited to five minutes, so they captured only the highlights of events. In contrast, at a recent relative's wedding, the video was over two hours long with many more details. While more accurate, it wasn't as engaging as a concise highlight reel.
This got me thinking about my own photos. Like many of us, I take countless pictures with my phone. However, when I review them, there are some great shots and others that aren't so impressive. From an accuracy standpoint, having more information is better. But when it comes to memory, do we want accuracy or do we want to remember things positively? On vacation, do we want to recall every detail or just the highlights?
Truthfully, most of us take pictures to edit our memories. We aim to remember the best moments, not everything accurately. Yet, with endless storage on our phones, we often capture too much—both major highlights and mundane details.
The technology for documenting our lives isn't designed for authenticity but rather for editing our experiences into positive memories. If the goal is to use this technology to enhance our recollections, then perhaps less is more. Shorter videos and fewer photos might be better.
Reflecting on a five-minute childhood video filled with great moments enriches my memory in a positive way. So how do we limit ourselves in an age of unlimited storage? One approach could be setting limits on the number of photos or videos we take.
For instance, when I started as a professor, I followed twelve other professors closely. I read and filed their papers but kept it to twelve people. If I wanted to add someone new, I had to remove someone from the list. Similarly, on vacations, we could set a limit—like eight pictures a day or fifty per week—and stick to it.
In terms of videos, we might take more in the moment but later edit them down to keep only the best parts. By using technology in a more constrained way, we can create happier memories through thoughtful editing.
So here's to a happier life through selective photo editing!
