The Storytelling Animal

The story of David Carr, a New York Times columnist and person in recovery from addiction, illustrates the fallibility of personal memory. When Carr was writing his memoir, he encountered discrepancies in his recollections during interviews. The chapter also examines James Frey’s memoir, A Million Little Pieces, which blended truth and fiction and led to a public scandal. These examples, along with other infamous cases of fabricated memoirs, demonstrate that memories are often subjective and crafted to provide meaning rather than to strictly adhere to the facts.

“Memory, of Course, Is Never True”

This section highlights the malleability of memory, starting with the case of Marie G., who, under psychological suggestion, falsely remembered witnessing a crime. It discusses “flashbulb memories,” a term coined by Roger Brown and James Kulik to describe people’s vivid memories of where they were during significant events like JFK’s assassination or 9/11. Studies have shown flashbulb memories to be surprisingly inaccurate over time. The text considers how these flawed recollections can shape collective memory, influencing cultural narratives and personal identity, as exemplified by George W. Bush’s incorrect memory of the events of 9/11.

Heroes of Our Own Epics