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We are in an age where technology is rapidly advancing all around us. It is impossible to turn our heads without seeing a new piece of technological handy-work, designed to make our lives easier. Soon, it will be able to infiltrate our minds, removing memories we no longer wish to carry with us. The question is should we allow this type of technology to exist? Should we allow it into our lives? The answer is an absolute yes. Erasing bad memories would make illnesses such as depression and PTSD, while making people happier. It would make life livable, while freeing people to experience the pleasures all around us.
There are many reasons why erasing bad memories from our minds would make life easier. Depression is a good example. While clinically diagnosed depression stems from a chemical imbalance in the brain, others exhibit signs of depression because of bad memories . Sometimes the memories are so bad, that they are incapacitating, or cause conditions more debilitating than depression, such as PTSD. If the memories were removed, and the individual could live a normal life, that is something to be thankful for. PTSD specifically could be eliminated with this procedure; millions of individuals around the world would be free to live their lives without the side effects that often make life unlivable, or lead to harsh actions such as suicide and murder.
Another reason that erasing bad memories would be beneficial for all of is obvious: we would be happier, over all. Upsetting memories such as the loss of a family pet, or an unfortunate fight with a relative before they died would no longer be of any consequence to us. Not only this, but when we did get sad, we would have only happy memories to combat the sadness. Recalling happy memories during times of distress or depression is a proven remedy for upsetting thoughts; happy memories calm the mind and ease painful or upsetting thoughts and urges . Unfortunately, sadness and depression have a way of only amplifying other sad and unhappy memories. If there were no sad or unhappy memories available, there would be nothing for those feelings to feed on.
Hard as it may be to believe, erasing bad memories would potentially alleviate levels of crime, as well. Individuals with grudges, or those who have been predisposed to seeing criminal acts for much of their life could have those particular memories erased from their conscious minds. The memories would not have replacements after removal, but with nothing to remember, they would have nothing to reflect on. With nothing to reflect on, they would have nothing to act on . For example, if a person were plotting revenge against an individual because of a familial dispute, the revenge would potentially end in injury or death of the offenders. However, if the memories are removed, the perpetrator has nothing to act on, and the crime goes unfinished.
The opposing side has much to say about removing memories through neurotechnology. They ask how we can remain our authentic selves if our memories do not remain intact. They also ask if it is ethically sound to remove memories under the general basis to make life in society not only safer, but easier . This action appears, to the opposition, to be an act for the majority, not the minority.
They believe that our struggles in life are just as necessary as our triumphs to become who we are meant to be. This is poetic and justifiable, but it is unnecessary. To demand we struggle as often as we do triumph in order to become fully formed individuals is the simple cry of those who should be first in line for this procedure. They are suffering the most from memories hindering them from enjoying the happiness that is waiting all around. There is so much joy and happiness to be seen and experienced, but they are unable to do so because they are dragged down by their memories. However, if these memories were erased, they would be free to appreciate the simple pleasures other happy people appreciated.
In sum, while it may seem ethically unreasonable to erase memories on a whim, it is better overall. Happy memories fight depression. PTSD and similar afflictions would be eliminated. Unhappy memories would be erased entirely and we would be free to live our lives happily. Some argue that we need failures and sadness to reflect and grow, but to that I say, we only live once and we can grow and reflect out of happy memories just as easily, if not better, when unburdened by unhappy memories. Erasing memories with neurotechnology will only bring happiness, just like the memories it will leave behind.
References
Baldwin, R. C. (2012). Depression Later in Life. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Erler, A. (2011). Does Memory Modification Threaten Our Authenticity? Neuroethics, 235-249.
Foland-Ross, L. C., Cooney, R. E., Joorman, J., Henry, M. L., & Gotlib, I. H. (2013). Recalling happy memories in remitted depression: A neuroimaging investigation of the repair of sad mood. Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience, 48-62.
Jung, C. (2011). Memories, Dreams, Reflections. New York: Random House.
