Reaction time is a factor in this, so please pay attention. Now, answer as quickly as you can: Do you remember your childhood? The memories that make you who you are? If you’re a Blade Runner replicant, those memories may not be your own. That posits a world in which someone can just tell you a story about your life history and you will process it as if it really happened to you. But is it really possible to implant memories into people?
In my latest Because Science, I’m “enhance”-ing my way through decades of psychological research to see if simply asking someone to remember a fake memory that you want to implant will lead to replicant-like results. The science of memory implantation started only a few decades ago, with pioneering researchers like Dr. Elizabeth Loftus attempting to tease out false memories—ones that she tried to insert—from real ones.
It turns out that memory implantation is surprisingly easy. And, more likely than not, you’re a victim of it.
After you watch the new episode above, check out my last video on how dense Legolas has to be to walk on snow, subscribe to this playlist to stay current with the show, buy a Because Science shirt, mug, hat, or collectible pin (the SURPRISE LIGHTSABER! shirts are in!), and follow me on Twitter to give me a suggestion for the next episode or on Instagram where I’m now posting extra mini-episodes!
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Want More Science in Your Sci-Fi?
- How Mary Poppins explains Yondu’s amazing arrow.
- How dense is The Lord of the Rings’ Legolas?
- Can a lightsaber block bullets?
