Can We Remember It For You Wholesale?

[Admiral Valdemar]

Total Recall is on TV right now. I love '80s/'90s sci-fi, and especially anything to do with Ah-nuld, Paul Verhoeven and Philip K. Dick. Though I've never really thought at length about the technology used in the plot. On the topic of the whole memory recall technology used by the Rekall company, I was wondering whether this process, if possible, would catch on. I know the likes of Starglider would have a good opinion on this, but does anyone else think having a synthetic memory implanted as opposed to going on an actual holiday, for instance, would be preferable?

I mean, it's not even VR stuff like The Matrix, just toying around with synapses to give your mind the impression that you had done whatever you paid for without the hassle of going through with it. I guess in the end, with not everyone being able to physically do what the super rich can, this would be something of a substitute.

Although I could see better uses for the technology, such as implanting skills and other knowledge, rather than learning via standard didactics.

[Simplicius]

This is only my opinion, but I don't think an implanted memory would be a viable substitute at all. Unless it was somehow custom-designed - in which case you'd have to know what you wanted to 'remember' ahead of time, and how would you know that without going? - you'd just get a sort of generic impression of, say, having gone to the Bahamas, stopping off at all the major tourist attractions, and that's it. Anyone who goes on a real vacation probably remembers specific, unusual moments and things that stood out particularly, even if the rest is just a blur, and a generic memory set couldn't capture that.

It's the difference between buying a set of picture postcards and taking photos yourself.

[Admiral Valdemar]

In the movie, at least, they implant according to the general idea you have, say, the location, extent of the holiday experience and any special events e.g. going as an undercover agent. You obviously don't get too specific, so it's something of a surprise, but otherwise it's implanted to the extent that you cannot tell the difference between your experienced memories and the implanted ones.

[Simplicius]

I haven't seen the film, so pardon me if I'm irrelevant.

If we're talking about memories as commodities, wouldn't you know that your memories are false since you remember going down to the shop to buy a set? Or would erasing the memory of buying some memories be a part of the service (in which case, what happens to the receipt)?

If not, then I still say it wouldn't be a very good substitute - it would be a high-quality facsimile of a recollection, but knowing that it's fake would take the joy out of it.

If you don't know that it's fake and never find out, then it's probably good enough.

[Admiral Valdemar]

That is never actually mentioned, but I would assume they erase that. Though that would mean you'd wonder why you were 899 credits out of pocket. Perhaps they cover it up with another memory you'd accept so no real-world discrepancies arouse suspicion.

[Winston Blake]

I don't think it would be a substitute for a holiday (although I would say so if I was advertising it ). It would be a very different service with one of the same purposes as a holiday. That purpose is to improve morale.

Remembering happy times does make people feel good. Remembering how great effort paid off would help motivate a person to keep their chin up and keep trying hard. That might be valuable in the harsh, dismal world of the not-too-distant future.