"In other words, natural memory is the hardware you’re born with. Artificial memory is the software you run on it."

— Foer, Joshua


Author
Date
February 15, 2011
Metaphor
"In other words, natural memory is the hardware you’re born with. Artificial memory is the software you run on it."
Metaphor in Context
“Rhetorica ad Herennium” underscores the importance of purposeful attention by making a distinction between natural memory and artificial memory: “The natural memory is that memory which is embedded in our minds, born simultaneously with thought. The artificial memory is that memory which is strengthened by a kind of training and system of discipline.” In other words, natural memory is the hardware you’re born with. Artificial memory is the software you run on it.
Provenance
Reading
Citation
Joshua Foer, "Secrets of a Mind Gamer" New York Times Magazine. February 15, 2011. <Link to NYTimes.com>
Date of Entry
02/21/2011

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.