Exchanging Time for Memories

[pickledsheep]

This is a rather odd question. Would anybody be willing to trade an amount of time, say a month, in exchange for a memory of having done their ultimate dream, but missing out on actually undergoing the experience? Even if the memory was falsified, but you were unaware?

I guess what I'm getting at, is how much do you value memories, or would they be worthless if you weren't present undergoing the experience?

This is completely hypothetical, seeing as this is impossible at the moment (at least to my knowledge).

Reputation Comments on this post:

Amazing thread topic

[namooP]

Get out of my head man! I have been thinking a lot about memories vs. experience recently. While still mentally bogged down in the value of an instant, to answer your question I would have to say yes. Whether of not the memory is falsified I think is irrelevant. As soon as a moment has passed the only evidence, the only benefit of it is your memory of it. If it has less value because it was falsified you have to ask yourself of how much value your memories are. Although, some of your actions in the falsified memory might be relevant to today. Like did you really hook up with that girl/win the lottery/whatever. If you couldnt tell the difference you would be delusional.

[pickledsheep]

Let's say that it is similar to 1984, the book that got me off on this tangent. If a memory is falsified, the past is altered to reflect it, meaning it would be as if it happened, but with no additional benefit in the present or real alteration on the world (unless the impact is small). Such as if your dream was you won the lottery, you wouldn't have the money in the present, just the memory of obtaining it. This applies more so to something like having travelled to a different country, or saved a persons life, or slept with an actress, etc.

I think, without actually enduring the experience that it wouldn't be worth it. But I'm having a really hard time gauging how much i enjoy the memories. They definately last a lot longer than the experience.

[namooP]

By that logic though, you are saying your positive experiences have had no benefit on your life today. I would say my experiences have had a massive impact on my person. Really, they make you what you are.

[x cynic x]

IMO they are of equal value. A memory is but faintly reliving an experience in your mind. Though the experience at the time is more real and significant, you can only live through it once, as opposed to replaying momories in your head. The only reason I wouldnt exchange time for a memory is because what good would a memory do if it were of something you did not actually do. Could you relate it to your life for better or worse? You simply cannot have a memory without a personal experience, or else what would it be that you were remembering? They go hand in hand, and although you may not be able to remember something you once did, I promise you will never remember something you didnt do.

[Nagognog2]

And there you are on your death bed. Your life is flashing before your eyes: And you are re-reading this thread over and over and over and....

Suckers! LOL!