Is memory our secret sauce?

Let's start 2026 with an examination of the role memory may have played in our evolution and what it does for us every day - good and bad.

In particular, I often ponder the importance of memory to human evolution. My dog, for example, seems to have memories for the most basic things - fear, hunger, shelter, etc. But does our ability to retain complex memories and pass them on to our descendants give us the unique ability to evolve beyond other beings?

I also just read this article in the LA Times:
http://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=5e03cf8f-7d18-4715-818b-aaa7a85a6aca
and it seemed to demonstrate the possibility of duplicating the process of the sci-fi classic, Total Recall. What do you think?

There's a lot to discuss here and - assuming you don't forget - we'll meet at our usual haunt in El Segundo for a Sunday afternoon of deep thinking about memory. Hope to see you there!