Can you trust your memory? This neuroscientist isn’t so sure | André Fenton
There are three kinds of memory that all work together to shape your reality. Neuroscientist André Fenton explains.
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Neuroscientist André Fenton discusses the intricate relationship between memory, perception, and reality, shedding light on the complexity of human cognition.
Fenton believes memories are not fixed but are continually modified by our experiences and mindsets.
This, in his mind, underscores the importance of humility and empathy in acknowledging the fallibility of our memories and the need to consider different perspectives in our quest for truth.
Read more from this interview ► https://bigthink.com/perception-box/memory/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
We created this video in partnership with Unlikely Collaborators.
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About André Fenton:
André Fenton, professor of neural science at New York University, investigates the molecular, neural, behavioral, and computational aspects of memory. He studies how brains store experiences as memories, how they learn to learn, and how knowing activates relevant information without activating what is irrelevant. His investigations and understanding integrates across levels of biological organization, his research uses genetic, molecular, electrophysiological, imaging, behavioral, engineering, and theoretical methods. This computational psychiatry research is helping to elucidate and understand mental dysfunction in diverse conditions like schizophrenia, autism, and depression.
André founded Bio-Signal Group Corp., which commercialized an FDA-approved portable, wireless, and easy-to-use platform for recording EEGs in novel medical applications. André implemented a CPAP-Oxygen helmet treatment for COVID-19 in Nigeria and other LMICs and founded Med2.0 to use information technology for the patient-centric coordination of behavioral health services that is desperately needed to equitably deliver care for mental health.
André hosts “The Data Set” a new web series on how data and analytics are being used to solve some of humanity’s biggest problems.
@SushiTime1981
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
You know when you can just listen to a voice for hours, this dude would be one of them. Great way of telling information 🎉
@PiperPress
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
This is great! Thank you all involved ❤
@JoseMartinez-ig4lx
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Sooooo what you're saying is nothing is true, everything is permitted? 🤔
@L_Train
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Terry Funk, a legendary wrestler, was asked if he wanted to see a video of one of his most famous matches. He said, in effect, no because it might not be as good as he remembered it.
@philosophicaldetective
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Science communication doesn't get better than this. Wow. If I have the chance to ask a question that Mr. Fenton would respond to, I would ask, "What does this 'being open-minded to autocorrect' mean scientifically? What is the mechanism behind having an open-mindset?" Thank you.
@curtisdale2791
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
What was the question again?
@Marianna-js3ji
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
This is a damgerous theory and can be used by abusers and predators to gaslight their victims.
@amihart9269
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
I don't need neuroscience to know my memory isn't trustworthy.
@nasrijemal4374
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
thank you ANDRE FENTON !
@SevenTheMisgiven
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
The only people that generally truly care about this are the ones that would use it against other people to get away with insane acts. But sure, 10-15 years from now anyone who ends up in court is just automatically guilty of whatever arbitrary deed they are accused of by other people. All memories are false anyway so we can say what we want and the only ones that have a memory are people like neuroscientists and judges right?
It's like when I worked for this detachment agency that would just change the roster after sending out 15 people to a place that didn't require help until 1 week later.
Just so they didn't have to pay those 15 people for 3 hours each as is mandated in such a situation. Like all 15 people read their roster wrong.
I never forget an appointment the moment I make it even without keeping track of it in my agenda. But somehow I am supposed to believe these theories of mass hysteria and delusion? When it's just a simple case of money being involved?
Yes, yes, yes. This is a wonderful world we are heading for like this. I am surely going to believe the professional gaslighters!
@cealene
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
This is an interesting and well communicated video, but the either/or set up leaves a big hole for talking about topics like abuse, trauma, etc. – instances where memory becomes weaponized. IMHO a follow-up to this – which is inclusive of those nuances – would be fantastic, and more practically educational.
@devinmcgee5130
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
10/10
@boaz7374
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Thanks!
@pourquoipas971
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
So clear and articulate… as a french listener i appreciate your clarity.
@stanleyklein524
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
What a moron.
@dlon4539
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Innocent people are convicted based upon eye witness testimonies and the perceptions of jurors
@dineshtharanga8122
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Then how acedemics and students pass all exams.
You and your PhD proves you can trust your memory.
@micheldupont4099
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Thank you for being so clear on a complicated topic. I will have to listen to it again and take notes. But for somme people, it is imperative to have a sharp working memory, because, lives will depend on the truth, data, instructions etc. And yes, I agree with you, we all have bias and emotions that might influence our perception. And of course, once we factor age our memory could decline. Let me tell you a story. I made a career in the Canadian Armed Forces, 36 years as a Logistic and HR Officer. I was in a Middle Management Training. The instructor asked for volunteers to be interviewed by a supervisor. I voulunteered as the interviewee. At the end of the exercise, the instructor proceeded to the analysis, collecting comments from the other students. At one point I disagree about a comment on what I apparently said. The majority of the students (including the instructor) 30 people, were adamant that I said and behave in a certain manner. But like you explained, I voice my opposition once. Luckily, one student had recorded the interview and he said he was going to listen to it during the evening and report back the next day. The next morning everyone was impatiently awaiting for the verdict…and I was right:) The interviewer said and behave in the wrong manner, not me. So since then, I do not pretend that I am right all the time. But let's say that sometimes, you have to be confident in your capabilities and develop a stronger awareness when it is important.
@robertd9850
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
What is it about this guy that makes him instantly likeable?
@jacqqulen9106
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
There are memories I don't want to think about. Im just gonna classify them as false memory lol
@thedomesticdude
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
I swear I’ve seen this before 🤔
@roloduarte33
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Very interesting video.
@synellywhoever6115
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Memories exist outside of the brain.
@chicobicalho5621
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
History itself, and the way it was recorded is, for the most part, is fiction and creativeness mostly based on lies and guesswork. If there was an encyclopedia of history as it really was, not based un lies and inventions, we would be collectively shocked as to how different it would be from what we have studied.
@chicobicalho5621
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
There is a wonderful book by the Brazilian poet Manoel de Barros entitled "The Book of Invented Memories"
@King.Mark.
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
everything you know is wrong
@arttoegemann
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Another challenge to memory is the lying witness. The video, very good, makes a good clinical case; if not social.
@invox_in_your_inbox
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
This neurosurgeon looks more like a plasticsurgeon.
@wandiletembe
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
👨🏿💻🍿🇿🇦
@savannahm.laurentian1286
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Many cultures know that memory is fluid.😴The pandemic exposed many to the fluidity of time & perception in the midst of trauma–in the same moment, time moves at speed of light & goes by achingly slowly.
@olafvonbraun7300
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Trumps memory is that he won coz he didn’t conceive and gave his speech, so must be true😂. Oy vey. We think too much of our won spices. Can’t even get things straight.
@homerinchinatown2
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Interesting that a byproduct of this self-awareness (of the fallibility of memory) ought to be humility… but a byproduct of NOT having this self-awareness is often confidence. Those who are skeptical consumers of information will question things – but those who are sure they know what's what probably will not
@revivlerech9020
October 4, 2025 at 1:14 pm
👌❤👌
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