A Journey Through Memory: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Science Fictioned
The "Science Fictioned" series presents science fiction and fantasy narratives grounded in scientific research. Each installment begins by translating complex scientific concepts into layman's terms, followed by a brief story inspired by that science. This particular piece draws upon the research paper by Radvansky, Krawietz, and Tamplin (2011), which examines how transitioning through doorways can lead to memory lapses.
The Science Behind Memory
Have you ever walked into a room and promptly forgotten your purpose? If this sounds familiar, rest assured, you’re not alone. Research suggests that this memory lapse is an intentional function of our brains.
Scientists have investigated this phenomenon for years, developing intriguing theories to explain it. The human brain, composed of 15–30 billion neurons interlinked by electrical connections, operates through simplified models rather than attempting to comprehend every intricate detail.
For instance, consider the operation of a light switch: a small metal piece pivots, allowing electricity to flow from the power plant, where fossil fuels are burned to create steam that spins a turbine linked to a generator. While this process is complex, most people simply think of it as flipping a switch to turn on a light.
Models, while useful, are inherently flawed, prompting scientists to continually refine their understanding through experimentation. Our simplified light switch analogy generally suffices, but anomalies remind us that models need updating—like when a bulb burns out or a power line fails.
In a similar vein, our thoughts and memories are organized into events tied to specific contexts. For example, if we are focused on a recipe in the kitchen and then enter the living room, our culinary thoughts may be pushed aside to accommodate the context of the movie playing there.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that crossing a doorway can trigger a "context shift," leading our brains to set aside memories from the previous room to make room for new thoughts necessary for the current environment. Notably, this effect is amplified when passing through smaller doorways as opposed to traversing larger spaces.
This memory-shifting concept sparked my curiosity: what if someone could deliberately clear a set of memories to allow for new ones? And even more intriguingly, what if this ability could be used to swap memories with another person?
Chapter 2: The Daring Escape
The chilly night air pierced through Catherine's prison uniform as she perched on the narrow ledge above a desolate alley. She scanned the ruins of the city, cautious for any signs of movement. The full moon cast a faint light, but the cloud cover offered her some cover.
Suddenly, she heard a distant cry—indistinguishable in origin. Holding her breath, she watched as two shadowy figures, no longer human, drifted below her. Fortunately, they were merely trappers; evading a coordinator would be a far greater challenge.
If these creatures adhered to their usual procedures, they would continue to the next intersection before turning left, completing their search pattern for the night.
The figures shuffled into the darkness, their black clothing merging seamlessly with the night. Catherine's heart raced as they paused, but she relaxed when they turned and moved away. Counting to ten, she finally dropped down into the alley, rushing back towards the Facility—toward Glen.
Heading back toward the Facility after escaping felt like madness, yet if Glen was still alive, she had no other choice. The thought that he had been so near without her knowledge was unbearable. She should have known, but there was no way she could have anticipated that he was imprisoned in the same Facility.
Navigating through the shadows cast by the remnants of a world long gone, Catherine grappled with the memories of a time filled with people living together in harmony. The elders often spoke of those days, but it felt distant and surreal.
As she continued, she listened for the telltale sound of the second pair of trappers, anticipating their arrival. She had gleaned this information from a guard's mind, and she picked up her pace, determined to reach the drain before they caught up.
Reaching a pile of refuse that concealed the drainpipe, she fought back the urge to retch. Slipping into the narrow space, she heard footsteps approaching. She knew the pipe would mask her scent, and she waited, heart pounding, until the trappers had moved on.
Glen, meanwhile, was trapped within the stark confines of his cell. Three days earlier, he had urged Catherine to leave for her safety, but she had stubbornly refused. He had orchestrated a plan to transfer them both to a safer camp, but their arrival had been met with chaos as Syndicate collectors stormed in.
Attempting to escape the uncertainty of his fate, he pressed against the door, straining to hear the commotion outside. Suddenly, the door slid open, and Catherine appeared, clad in an oversized guard's uniform.
"Glen, wait!" she called, motioning for him to follow as they dashed through the corridors. Glen had questions, but she promised explanations would come later.
As they found refuge in an old wooden shelter, Glen confronted Catherine about the risks she had taken to rescue him. The tension in the room was palpable as they navigated the complexities of their abilities and the dangers of memory shifting.
Catherine reassured him that no amount of shifting could erase her feelings for him, even as the weight of her actions loomed large. Together, they resolved to return to the resistance camp—this time, Glen would not attempt to protect her at his own expense.
As they stepped back into the desolation, Catherine reflected on their journey, knowing that while she could never forget her feelings for Glen, the reasons behind those feelings had become hazy.