In times of alarm and during ecstatic moments, the brain may recall shocking details for years afterward. Your amygdala "lights up" and scorches your hippocampus with an indelible imprint.
Here's the CLASSIC "flashbulb" question: Can you remember where you were, or what you were doing, when you first heard the news that President Kennedy had been shot?
Can you recall where you were on the day when you heard the news that the Challenger shuttle carrying Christie McAuliffe had exploded? (Or...Can you recall any specific people, details, or activities during any of your birthdays before the age of ten?)
Can you remember what you were doing, or where you were, when you first heard the news that President Reagan had been shot? (Or...Can you recall any particular circumstances during a first wake, funeral, or wedding that you attended?)
Can you recall anything you did on the morning of the day you heard that the Berlin Wall was going to be torn down? (If you prefer another question: Can you recall the first or last name of your first childhood crush?)
Can you recall where you were on the day when you heard the news that the Challenger shuttle carrying Christie McAuliffe had exploded? (Or...Can you recall any specific people, details, or activities during any of your birthdays before the age of ten?)
Can you remember what you were doing, or where you were, when you first heard the news that President Reagan had been shot? (Or...Can you recall any particular circumstances during a first wake, funeral, or wedding that you attended?)
Can you recall anything you did on the morning of the day you heard that the Berlin Wall was going to be torn down? (If you prefer another question: Can you recall the first or last name of your first childhood crush?)
Can you recall where you were on the day when you heard the news that the Challenger shuttle carrying Christie McAuliffe had exploded? (Or...Can you recall any specific people, details, or activities during any of your birthdays before the age of ten?)
Can you remember what you were doing, or where you were, when you first heard the news that President Reagan had been shot? (Or...Can you recall any particular circumstances during a first wake, funeral, or wedding that you attended?)
Can you recall anything you did on the morning of the day you heard that the Berlin Wall was going to be torn down? (If you prefer another question: Can you recall the first or last name of your first childhood crush?)
Can you remember what you were doing, or where you were, when you first heard the news that President Reagan had been shot? (Or...Can you recall any particular circumstances during a first wake, funeral, or wedding that you attended?)
Can you recall anything you did on the morning of the day you heard that the Berlin Wall was going to be torn down? (If you prefer another question: Can you recall the first or last name of your first childhood crush?)
Can you recall anything you did on the morning of the day you heard that the Berlin Wall was going to be torn down? (If you prefer another question: Can you recall the first or last name of your first childhood crush?)
