Do you also have the same question with no answer? Then maybe this will provide an answer. It is not backed up by any evidence or science, but simply an observation within myself and one other that simply I had to agree upon. Maybe the answer may apply to you as well.
About the problem.
Ever since I can remember I was a child I was bad at, remembering people by names. Soon as I have lost touch with them, I forget their names. However, what I can remember are my feelings towards them and interactions. This was a real problem especially when they are on the other side of the equation, can remember very well I have been a friend to them.
One such embarrassing moment I can remember when I attended to a wedding in a hotel. As it happened there was another wedding of one of my school colleagues happening on the same day in a nearby vicinity and I met some friends who invited me. Unfortunately, I did not remember names of most of them. It had been few years since I left the school. As I joined them on a round table, as we were chatting, one guy asked me to tell his name. I was embarrassed I could not remember. He repeatedly asked in front of all the others and saying that how close a friend I have been, but like disappointed that I cannot remember his name. Didn't let me slip away from the question. I had to declare, that I am bad at remembering names.
Fast forward several years, I was listening to a nice explanation on category theory and life by Eugenia Cheng in following you tube video. And guess who had the same problem of remembering names of people! I was surprised to get a possible or the best explanation coming from a mathematician. Math was the favorite subject of mine during my school years. Too much of a coincidence.
Answer.
In brief category theory is a way of looking at how mathematics is working. Instead of focusing on individual elements (numbers, functions, etc.) category theory look at the relationships in abstract level. These layers of abstraction help mathematicians to understand the nature of the mathematics in a bird's eye view. Eugenia applies this into her own problem of life, and notices, instead of remembering names of her friends (compared to mathematical elements) what she can remember are the relationships and interactions. And I could not agree more to her statement. It is like a new revelation that nothing is wrong. It is just some brains are wired to see different.
Obviously for some of you this may not be a good explanation why you are not remembering the name of your friend's name. But for some, this may be true. But it is awesome to think about life in terms of abstract mathematics.
As math can provide explanations to life without any equation or numbers.
Thank you for reading Why cannot I remember people by name? Category theory.
You may also like to read: What imaginary numbers teach about life?
Comments