Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Blasts

Mental time travel refers to the ability of the human mind to project itself into the past or future, vividly imagining and experiencing events that are not in the present moment. 


This phenomenon is often associated with episodic memory and prospection, allowing individuals to relive past experiences or simulate future scenarios.


What's remarkable about mental time travel is its ability to feel incredibly real. When people engage in this cognitive process, they often experience a level of immersion and detail that can rival actual perceptions. 


The vividness of these mental journeys can be so compelling that they evoke a strong emotional response, whether it's nostalgia when reminiscing about the past or anticipation when envisioning the future.


This realism is made possible by the brain's complex neural networks, which link memory, imagination, and emotions. When you mentally time travel, the brain activates regions associated with memory recall and future thinking, allowing you to construct detailed mental landscapes that feel authentic and personal.


I experienced this yesterday when I visited Facebook and saw someone had posted a special senior issue of our high school newspaper on our class alumnae page. 


Suddenly I was back in 1988 and it was not an altogether good thing to be there.

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