1. Elephants 2024

The Danger of False Memory      One of the scariest and most potentially dangerous things that can afflict a person is false memory. False or faulty memory is when a person remembers an event or circumstance differently from how it actually happened. The differences between fact and false memory can be marginal or major, yielding a variety of results depending on the extremity of the false memory (more on that later). While not physically harmful, false memory has the capacity to break up relationships and familial bonds, tormenting people in a different way than physical pain.      False memories are often created by the day-to-day situations we find ourselves in—whether they be at school, at home, at work, or anywhere else—and the people we find ourselves spending time around. In a study cited by Verywell Mind in an article about false memories, “researchers created a false memory by suggesting that participants had become ill after eating certain foods a...

  The bygone reflects into the hereafter, mapping itself in a divine blueprint infinitely across  the continuous planes of existence, the preceding terminology actualized through the capability of cognition: the mirrors of chronologicality. Yet, like how the deciduous flora seemingly superfluously suffer the summer spawning, subsequently subnivean sickening, verily I say onto you that introspection nevertheless remains relevant despite the ego’s reposment upon remembrance.  And it is upon such introspection that one enlightens himself with glaring truth: poised with the armaments with willpower and one halves decade, I still fail to consecrate my cerebral facilities. Thus, I dare to claim, to cry as a gnashing fly below where thar-may-be-heavens, that I covet the diefic authority to desanctify, desecrate, smash into shards of rain that will bleed our untouched lands, these mirrors of chronologicality: to trespass that which makes us all human. Unit 10 of my math class dis...

           When someone asks you what language is, you may say it’s a tool for communication. However, language is more than just a tool; it's a gateway to understanding the world around us and connecting with others on a profound level. To facilitate this ability, memory plays an important role. From the early stages of language acquisition to the complexities of bilingualism and language processing in the brain, memory plays a pivotal part in every aspect. Language acquisition begins early in life, with infants absorbing native language sounds and rhythms due to their memory capacities. Infants tend to absorb the sounds and rhythms of their native language, due to their remarkable memory capacities. Even newborns are predisposed to learn language and are sensitive to their caregivers' speech sounds. As children grow, memory plays a crucial role in expanding vocabulary and mastering grammar rules. Language acquisition is just like a mental library; each wo...

   Sometimes certain flavors and foods bring back memories of moments you have lived through in the past. Some tastes are so specific and unique that as soon as the first bite hits your tastebuds, you are taken back in time to when you tried that food for the first time. When I went to Pakistan over spring break I tried many amazing and spicy foods, however one of my most favorites was a simple orange popsicle.                When I was a kid, I used to play in our neighborhood with my friends and around evening time each day the ice-cream man would come into every street of the neighborhood with his cart and sell. I still remember how all the kids would instantly run up to him and start telling him which ice cream they want. I used to already have money with me because before going out to play I would ask my parents for some money because I knew the ice-cream man was going to come. I remember how there were always so many opti...

Stuffed animals, which, today, are one of the most common toys for young children, were invented by a disabled German seamstress in 1902. She is considered the first person to sew stuffed animals for children, contrasting the more popular wood and metal toys of the day. She was born into a middle class family; her father was a building contractor while her mother was a stay at home mom. When she was a child, she contracted polio, which permanently paralyzed her legs and left her with chronic pain in her right arm. Despite this pain, she took needlework classes, learning to sew and implementing this knowledge while working in her sisters’ dressmaking shop (which she was employed in for eight years, starting in 1862). In 1877, Steiff opened a ready to wear felt clothing business. Her move to stuffed animals came from a magazine in which she saw a pattern for an elephant made out of fabric, which inspired her to make pincushions in this shape for the seamstresses she employed in her felt ...

     I can recall exploring a new city for the first time, where the streets and shops feel familiar to an extent where I am certain I have visited before, and the exact moment is ingrained into my mind, stored as a past memory, conflicting the present moment with illusions of the past. This phenomenon is referred to as déjà vu, which according to Merriam Webster, is the illusion of remembering scenes and events when experienced for the first time".       When I was younger, I believed my  déjà vu was a sign of superpowers or a component of my developing psychic abilities, none of which are accurate. In fact, déjà vu is the result of a lack of sleep along with stress, and intensely frequent episodes are linked to brain tumors, dementia, head trauma, and seizures. Despite these startling terms, déjà vu is experienced by 97% of people, and prevalent in around two-thirds of the population.      Scientists and researchers do not po...

  My senior friends guided me to perfect this pose. While at the volleyball senior night yesterday, I was looking through my Instagram story archive to find a picture from last year’s senior night. While looking for the picture, I came across so many memories from my sophomore year. Although it has only been a year since the present of those pictures, it seems like such long-gone memories, that can only be experienced through photos of the past.       It is crazy how in the moment it seems like things will last forever yet nothing seems to stay frozen. That is not necessarily a bad thing, such as my friend in volleyball has upgraded from JV to Varsity this year, however little things like watching the Varsity games together after his JV game are gone. These little changes are not horrible but I will never get to experience some things again.       However, I realize that I can not stay stuck in the past since memories will always stay only a...

  Week 15 Total Recall – 4/24 [12:59 AM] [ IMGSRC ] When I remembered that our AP tests are drawing closer and closer, I thought that making a simple guide for memorizing facts, numbers, and formulas quickly would be extremely helpful for you guys.  It’s frankly amazing how your brain tends to be so selective when choosing the memories that are in your long term storage. I think we’ve all been in a situation where you’re trying to sleep and your mind decides to slap you across the face by recounting a particularly embarrassing moment . And when you really need to remember something, like how to spell a word correctly during a timed write, your mind just decides to shut off and let you scramble in the dark. But trying to keep tabs on your brain doesn’t need to be such a hassle. It can be simplified into four main steps that help map out and contextualize how your brain interprets and stores information: Reception: Information enters our brain through sensory receptors, our ears...

  image: https://threepennypress.org/opinions/2023/02/22/quite-the-spectacle-why-i-think-contemporary-art-is-a-joke/ Modern art is as controversial as it is confusing. For example, I refuse to believe that the painting above was sold for over 100 million dollars. There are many opinions critics have about modern art, and while some call it “a prank of some sorts” and “an insult to art,” others call it a brilliant way to spark “cultural subversion” and “pioneering a modern era of art.” While it is up to you to decide whether the painting above is worth millions of dollars, the emergence of modern art isn’t so surprising when you consider the western history of art.  Throughout the Renaissance, artists were multidisciplinary, and they focused on developing our understanding of anatomy through art. This is why paintings such as the Mona Lisa and Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” are highly life like and are clearly focused on a singular subject matter. Soon after this was the Baroq...

          People always talk about "living in the moment" and enjoying it to the fullest, however they rarely mention how important it is to capture that moment and save the memories forever. Sure, it is important to be present in the moment, actually make the memories, enjoy and not worry about just taking pictures all the time, however there can be another perspective on this. I believe it is not "just taking pictures," in fact it is so much more than that. This is because I personally love to look back on the happy times I've had with my friends and family.          Often times—actually every time—when I go somewhere with my friends, I am the one taking pictures and capturing candid moments in which we are all laughing and smiling. I love being the person who is considered the default photographer in the group, and the one who is trusted with taking pictures of all my friends.          Recently ...

  My brother got me fries on his last day visiting from college and we just enjoyed the fries and ice cream combination while chatting.       Ever since I was little and had the taste of my first Happy Meal I have been hooked on fries. I would always beg my parents to get me some crispy golden goodness whenever we passed by any restaurant. My fixation naturally led my dad to reward me with fries whenever I did anything good or to distract me when waiting for my brother to finish practice or class. This furthered my want for them since fries became bound with positive events.  As I entered high school with my new-found freedom (at least more than elementary and middle school) whenever I would hang out with my friends I would always get fries whenever we went to get food, further lacing my memories with the nostalgic taste of french fries. Some of my favorite memories revolve around this treat, from studying at a boba shop with friends to going to support ...

Memories of the past flood my mind, flying through my vision like a river after a storm. It overflows, ebbs, and flows and as fast as it appears, it leaves. But none of it matters, for I am now free. In the darkest of chasms, I find solace. In the unrelenting night, I find freedom. When I find myself in the gutters, covered in mud, I only see the starry sky above you, brighter than any light, and warmer than any fire. I find me. ( from https://www.pexels.com/search/starry%20sky/ ) March. March. March. Was your previous life truly so boring? Step. Step. Step. Walk in a straight line. Turn, walk again. Slam. Slam. Slam. Your face, shoved into dirt and mud and water. Brought up for the briefest of respites, then pushed down again. On, and off. On and off. Light, and darkness. Soon, even staring at your mirror becomes tiring. You hate your mirror. It is representative that you are not unique. You are unimportant. You are replaceable. You are a tool, serving a defined and set purpose. When ...

Today, pigeons are referred to as “ rats with wings, ” but they weren’t always the subject of such malice. In fact, pigeons as we know them today are the result of generations of artificial selection; rock doves (city pigeons) are domesticated animals descending from ancestors that were kept and selectively bred for human use. In this way, pigeons are similar to dogs — except for the fact that there are now over 1,000 different breeds and that they are no longer wanted by humans. But historically, pigeons were of great use, from militia to medicine. During both the First and Second World War, carrier pigeons were used to transport messages across the battlefield, and 32 pigeons were presented with the Dickin Medal for their life saving efforts. And their efforts were life saving — these birds were used to send essential messages on land, in the air, and over the sea, in circumstances such as when soldiers were stranded at sea or when radio communication was impossible — often, the spe...

Our shared Pomegranate tree      Before I moved to Fremont, I lived in Southern California for the majority of my life. Our neighbors over there have a pomegranate tree that rests on the side of our shared fence. Over the years, the tree grew in such a way that eighty percent of it was on our side, and only twenty percent of the fruits remained in their backyard. Every pomegranate season, we had a tradition where we kept the fruits residing in our backyard, and I grew accustomed to the sweet taste of fresh pomegranates every season. Even though we have now moved, our neighbors still keep the ritual alive by sending fresh pomegranates during the peak growth time. The several years our families spent being neighbors and the memories we made along the way have allowed us to maintain a strong relationship despite being in different area codes    When I moved cities, I truly realized how special memories are, along with the importance of creating new ones. Before, I ...

     Have you ever spent hours pouring over a textbook for an exam just to forget everything you learned the next morning? With the AP exam season coming up in mere weeks, desperate students across American High School have subjected themselves to highlighting Princeton-review books and watching AP Daily Videos on 2x speed. Despite feeling as though you are studying when you engage in passive activities such as re-reading and watching videos, you’re really wasting your time. There are many memorization techniques that are just facades, and there are really only a few that work well.  1. Record:      While it’s easier to read a textbook and binge watch videos for your AP exam, this process won’t help you unless you take the time to re-read your textbook at least 7 times. On average, it takes 7 times of passive repetition in order to develop an understanding of the material. This is heavily time consuming and extremely boring, which is why this method gi...

  Week 14 Nostalgia for Profit - 4/10 [10:29 AM]                                                                          [ IMGSRC ] From my experience on the internet and in real life, I have seen a considerable shift in today’s popular culture surrounding the struggle between certain aesthetics, or more generally principles that is reflected in design choices, advertisements, and the collective consciousness of the greatest tool for spreading information, the internet. It is a struggle between idealists who base their tastes on a continuing shred of optimism for the future, and the increasing number of consumers consumed by nostalgia . To meet this changing demand, there has been a noticeable trend of leveraging nostalgia for profit across various industries, most notably in movies.  Nostalgia...

  I don’t remember anything . Math formulas, historical events—even birthdays (my OWN birthday). I struggle remembering basic information quite often and it can get really annoying at times, especially when the thing I’m forgetting is especially important.  It’s not amnesia, but instead just general difficulty remembering certain things. I tend to forget things I find uninteresting faster and more efficiently than I do with things I find interesting. This is especially detrimental when it comes to school because I don’t find any of my classes that require heaps of memorization particularly fascinating. Studying becomes harder and takes more time, and school becomes an ankle weight and an unnecessary source of stress, all because I have a lackluster memory to pull from. This is something I’m sure many of you may relate to and may struggle with as well. BUT WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THERE’S A SOLUTION? That’s right. You can improve your memory and you don’t even have to be psychologica...

A direct connection to our brain’s capabilities for memory and emotions allows music to evoke powerful emotio ns and memories. Numerous studies have shown that music and memories display a strong connection. These studies have also illustrated that specific songs or records can trigger vivid recollections and intense emotions. The main reason music is directly linked to memory is because music activates the hippocampus, a significant component of our brain’s limbic system. The hippocampus is used for storing and retrieving memories and transferring them to long-term storage in our brains. Studies have proven that listening to music transmits the sound signals from our ears to our hippocampus, which then encodes the lyrics and beat that make up the song. As music can activate this region, it allows us to recall past experiences associated with specific songs or tunes. This phenomenon is known as music-evoked autobiographical memory. When it comes to thrilling, memorable moments that are...