Novel Experiences and Their Effects on Memory: Reflections on Dr. Lila Davachi’s Quinn Memorial Lecture 2026

It is that time of the year again for me: To attend the annual lecture of the Quinn Memorial, which has become a dear tradition to me. I started going to these fascinating and memorable lectures more than a dozen years ago and it is something I look forward to every year. The only times I have missed the Quinn Memorial were due to the pandemic where it was canceled or due to other commitments, for instance, work or appointments that I could not escape from.

Let it also be stated that part of my own personal tradition includes the complimentary and much appreciated glass of wine (I usually opt for red) as well as a brief chat and a few questions for the renowned speaker, all reasons why an online option is not feasible and only half the experience.

This time around I did something I had not done previously: I invited a handful of people to come along with me. Doing new things or doing things differently with its effects on memory will be discussed further below but the main reason I had not done this before was that as a generally reserved and private person, I like to go there alone. That way I could pay close attention and take notes during the talk. Also, I felt that I could freely mingle afterwards and talk to other guests and meet a variety of people. As a final point, it was also because I did not feel that many people in my social circle would be genuinely interested in these types of talks and lectures.

As the subject coincided with an upcoming book club discussion of Andy Clark’s The Experience Machine (more on this later as well), I figured that there might be some interest and perhaps overlap with group members, but alas, yet again, I ended up going solo. It was a shame because it was another wonderful talk that I would have loved to share with likeminded friends, but I get it, people are busy; they have busy lives and priorities, or they may simply not be as interested in these events as myself.

But enough preamble and let’s dive in! The talk was entitled “The wisdom of the unconscious mind: offline reactivation consolidates, integrates, and updates knowledge” by Dr. Lila Davachi from Columbia University. The title may not be on par with the talk itself; first off, I must admit that the title on its own does not necessarily sound sexy or exciting and may be a bit too technical particularly with the added subtitle. At the same time, the lack of capitals takes away from the transformative features that were included in the lecture itself, and finally, although it deals with the unconscious, it is a bit of a misnomer because the talk was more about brain processes than the mind per se.

Sadly, not much psychoanalysis to speak of and on the topic of dreams, Dr. Davachi simply stated that neither she nor anybody else she is familiar with has any clue or idea why we dream and what its purpose may be. I differ on this matter, but she has a valid point in terms of memory retrieval and consolidation of course and that was the main focus of her talk.

There were interesting insights alongside a new understanding of how memories are formed, how they are strengthened and/or weakened and, as a language instructor,  I appreciated that she provided some useful tips and vital points on how to be able to consolidate them further so our memories and knowledge do not end up decomposing in the waste bin of our mind.

But what are the different processes that occur in the brain to ensure that we have memories in the first place? I remember from psych undergrad classes that memory was closely tied and connected with the hippocampus. And although that still holds true, the real story is much more complex and more intricate than that.

First off, there are two parts to memories, the encoding and then later its retrieval. The encoding is basically the input, which is then converted into a memory. This often occurs offline, that is the hippocampus replaying the information after the event. Yet the brain is not passive in any of this; it actively selects what to consolidate and what not. In other words, what is deemed relevant is offloaded and distributed to other cortical parts of the brain, and what is not is left behind and may be forgotten completely.

As a result, the memory becomes consolidated not just by replaying it but rather by having it play like an orchestra. If the memory itself is strong, that is salient, vivid and involves an emotional reaction, it becomes more resilient and has a much stronger survival rate. In fact, connectivity is crucial here and can protect against forgetting.

The retrieval itself can come from cues, with some of them being partial. This may be something we see or something someone says that then triggers a memory; we may actively look for specific information or try to recall an event in the past. This is also not only related to the context and the circumstances of the memory event, but it also depends on what happens afterwards, whether it is repeated consciously or subconsciously or not. Sometimes associations and associated occurrences can aid the memory to remain strong even in the face of time.

This can occur in different ways. One of them is reward. If we are expecting a certain reward, we may work harder to ensure that we can later recall the given information. Put differently, it is motivation that can ensure both short and long-term retrieval. This is even more prevalent when we have motivation to remember. Hence reward and repeated encodings improve memory retrieval. This is also true with any information that we prioritize, something that we cherish and value for whatever reason.

It is noteworthy that cortical networks are more stable than just the hippocampus. In this cortical dialogue and interaction, weak memories need to be replayed more than strong memories to ensure that they can be recalled at a later time. There is also a significant difference between recalling simple standalone episodic events versus the gist of the situations and with it some overlapping details. When memories are clustered together, they tend to be more resistant to the erosion of time.

Interestingly, the same can be applied to routine memories if they are combined with novel and interesting or intriguing information. For instance, social and special novelty helps both mood and memory. Going out of your way to take on different activities or to take a different route will not only help you better recall the new information, but it will also make you feel better, excited and aroused. At the same time, all this will color your regular routine actions and make them stand out more than previously or otherwise.

Let’s face it, if you are living on autopilot, your routine actions become a muddled and indiscriminate mess of sorts, and you would either confuse them or forget them altogether. But the moment you encounter something or someone new on your regular path, you remember everything much more vividly and in greater detail while also feeling good about the whole experience.

This is your cue to get out and do something differently. When you do this, you will feel more alive and remember it much better. Carpe diem may not just be about going out there and taking risks but also trying out something new and different. Sure it can involve minimal or moderate amounts of risk but more importantly, just stepping out of your comfort zone or regular routine can indeed aid your overall memory in this case.

Now to return to my book club reading of Andy Clark’s book. His theory is that the brain is not just a passive recipient of sensory information but that it plays an active role in the process. It is not just encoding and processing the information that crosses its path but it constantly tries to predict what will happen.

When the prediction is correct, we can save time and energy and focus on things of greater importance to us. This is not unlike our experience of driving. When we start off, we need to pay close attention to everything around us and try our best to move this metal box in a safe and sound manner. But after time, it becomes more innate and automatic and our brain takes over the driving until or unless something surprising and unexpected occurs needing our attention.

So, during the reception I had the opportunity to ask Dr. Davachi about the brain predicting events and whether salient information would help us remember them better. She said that most likely we would. I then asked her whether the new incoming information would override the previous predictive pattern or maybe have us forget it altogether and replace it with something new.

She said that it depended on how strong the pattern was encoded, whether it was part of a weak or a strong memory. If we took that path more than a dozen times, we may just carry on with as it may be resistant to a single episodic memory or minimal incongruent information. Hence, in the case that the pattern has been more entrenched, it would not be so easily abandoned and replaced.

All this has also some relevance with trauma and traumatic events. They can lead to rumination, which can occur both online and offline. Yet at the same time, they may also become stronger because the brain would read certain cues in that particular light and frame of mind. Hence, for a war survivor, any loud noise can be seen as a potential threat where fireworks or car exhaust backfires may feel threatening.

Yet, on the flip side, good experiences will fill us with positive feelings, and we would look forward to other or similar events. In my case, this was yet another outstanding and memorable event that makes me look forward to the next one, regardless of whether I shall be accompanied or not.

Rock on, Disco Sucks! The Explosive Music Culture War

When disco became mainstream, it was already much more than merely music. Disco was a colorful umbrella that hosted and included a lifestyle, a sense of fashion, a sub-culture, and a mentality, whereas for certain parts of the population, it also represented a viable threat to their own understanding and perception of music and of the world.

This is why disco caused a strong backlash from people who with their heart and soul embraced rock’n’roll; they suddenly felt that they were being pushed in the background and eroded by a music genre that they despised. It all culminated in an explosive encounter and a riot at a Disco Demolition night on a baseball field essentially burying this genre once and for all. The backlash against the Beatles for John Lennon’s infamous Jesus comments pales in comparison to this.

To understand why there was such hatred against disco, we must look at its origin. This type of music started off underground, and it was played at gay nightclubs to great acclaim. A certain distinct and often over-the-top fashion sense went hand in hand with the genre. Yet because it was catchy and there were beats to groove to, disco spread like wildfire. More and more women took part in these parties, and they brought their own lavish styles with them, which could not help but raise the curiosity of heterosexual men as well.

After a while, it came as no surprise that colored women singers would not only embrace this music but add their own touch and flourishes to the genre. In a sense, this added to the budding sense of feminism, and it is perhaps nowhere as clear and distinct as in Gloria Gaynor’s hit “I will survive.” Not only was she telling off her ex, but she did so in a groovy style.  As we can note, race, feminism, and political aspirations were embodied with disco from its outset. Basically, disco took the demonstrations for equal rights of homosexuals and women away from the streets and onto the dance floor.

The turning point was of course the quintessential classic Saturday Night Fever which popularized both the music and the dance moves and made it accessible to everyone regardless of gender or race. Disco became universal and by extension even more egalitarian and moved from the underground to the foreground and into everyone’s living room. Soon enough, radios switched to disco whether it be The Bee Gees or various other bands and musicians of the times, and yes, that includes The Village People. This was a decisive shift from more rock-oriented riffs to groovy beats on the radio waves.

Enter rock’n’roll enthusiast Steve Dahl who literally suffered the consequences. In fact, he is considered one of the first shock jocks who was, like Howard Stern, not afraid to speak his mind on the radio and who would share inappropriate and controversial comments with, for, and for the sake of his audience. Yet overnight - and it happened to be Christmas Eve and right after he and his wife had opted to buy a house - Steve lost his job because of disco. This did not sit well, and he vowed to fight back.

The term that become popular at the time was Disco sucks and rock aficionado Steve Dahl took a jab whenever he could. This ubiquitous slogan then appeared on signs, banners, and T-shirts throughout the country but it all culminated in an event that Steve Dahl helped organize: The disco demolition night where people were encouraged to bring their disco records; these would then be carried to the baseball field only to have them exploded with good old-fashioned dynamite. This event that occurred on July 12, 1979, at Comiskey Park in Chicago was intended as a Major League Baseball promotion but ended up in a full-out riot with significant damages and destruction to property, equipment, and the field itself.

The crowd was predominantly young white males most of whom were not baseball fans and were half or fully drunk right before and when the "disco explosions" occurred. Although Steve himself strongly denies it and says it was all about the music, there are elements of race and ethnicity, and sexual orientation at play that cannot be overlooked or ignored in this case.

Yet these gender and racial differences tend to be also embodied in the respective genres themselves. Rock’n’roll has a masculine attitude attached and embodied within it. A stereotypical rock star would be someone who drinks a lot, does drugs, also a lot, behaves irresponsibly on stage, off stage and in hotel rooms and then caps his day by having a lot of sex with many different female fans and groupies. Rock stars are expected to act in that way and hence are given carte blanche to this excessive and aggressive lifestyle. After all, their own self-professed slogan is sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll and they believed they had to live up to it.

Disco, on the other hand, is a whole different beast. It is about dancing, peace, sweat, sensuality, and love, as well as lovemaking. It is basically better-looking and better-dressed hippies moving their hips and their whole body to specific beats.

That said, the disco lifestyle, however, was not immune to drug use either, with cocaine being the yuppie choice. All this was encouraged with the opening of Studio 54, a very poplar discotheque that was all about style, even more so than the music. So much so that the owner would personally select and decide who looked good and fashionable enough to be allowed entry to the premises. The rest would have to go home, lick their wounds and wounded pride for the night, only to hope for a better fate or prepare a more outrageous costume next time around.  

All this ended overnight right after the riot at Disco Demolition. This was a major fiasco, and nobody wanted to have any of it. Radios stopped playing disco music on their waves and rock made it back on, at least temporarily. This meant that certain social progress was suddenly cut short and undermined while many black female singers lost their jobs and income overnight. Interestingly, this was somewhat similar to Steve’s fate although he ended up doing fine in the end.

Yet do not fret and do not cry for the lost and forlorn heydays of disco. Disco may have stopped but it did not die. In fact, it transformed and was reborn in what is known as house music, and it really brought DJs to the forefront. The groovy beats continued still albeit in a different form and with much less resistance the second time around. And rock’n’roll may have become a relic of the past but it still rocks.

The City of Shenzhen: Symbol of the Benefits (and Drawbacks) of Technological Progress

So my relationship with the digital world is a rather interesting one. I find technology inherently fascinating but am also terrified of its potential consequences. On one hand, it can drive humanity to connect in a variety of ways and help us solve problems together while on the other hand, it can sow division and mistrust and drive us apart, i.e. today’s world. Yet my main concern remains the erosion of humanity and the lack of human touch.

That said, it is indeed technology that has brought you dear reader to this page of my blog, which enables me to communicate with you in such a personal form coming at you from my hometown to yours across the globe. Like in a letter I have been given the opportunity (or taken the opportunity) to share some of my innermost thoughts and often feelings on different subjects of interest and concern. Yet unlike in a letter, I do not know who the addressee is or will be and almost always do they not respond or comment, hence turning this into a peculiar one-way means of communication.

The important thing is that you are here and that you are willing and taking the time to read my post. For that I am truly appreciative, and it would have not been possible without the aid of technology. But all this is serving as a prelude to a place that has in my view fully embraced technology as a part of their existence, lifestyle, and raison d’être, which is mostly quite fascinating and inspiring, albeit, as it pertains to anything, it comes with a few caveats of its own.

In fact, few places around the world are as modern and as technologically advanced as the city of Shenzhen in China. We may claim to be living in a technological world here in North America, but it seriously pales in comparison to how this Chinese city is run and operated by fully integrating technology into daily life as well as their way of life.

Full disclosure: I have not been there myself (yet), and all my knowledge is based on a French-speaking documentary that I have recently seen. What was demonstrated in this program was mind-blowing to say the least and only proves how backward, in fact almost cavemen-like, we and our current lives are in contrast, technologically speaking.

Shenzhen is a fascinating case because not only do they fully embrace the latest and most innovative technology of the times, but this is fully integrated into the society at large. I have always seen technology as a means to having more ease and comfort but there can be two issues with this.  Either the technology does not work as advertised or intended (yes, I’m looking at you cursed printer!) or it is filled with glitches. That urgent payment you need to make becomes impossible if the server is down regardless of if it be yours or theirs that is lacking.

But in Shenzhen everything has moved to the technological domain. So much so that any vendor, food stand, or panhandler will not accept cash but only automatic payments, which are often accompanied by a QR code. All this is even taken further in certain stores where you pay with your handprint or, in some cases, the store camera may use facial recognition, see what you have bought and then automatically charge you the amount on your credit card or bank account on file. The idea of simply walking into a store, taking items and just walking out without archaic forms of paying cash or card - and certainly not committing theft - is a wonderful idea to me.

People might object about privacy, but they tend to be the same people who then overshare on social media. At the same time, who cares if other people can see what I am purchasing, which could be accessible by gaining access to credit card statements. And if you do not want to be seen entering a store with someone, then don’t enter with them. In this case, a lack of privacy is a minimal cost to pay for major convenience.

In fact, younger generations may simply love the fact that there is no interaction whatsoever with a salesclerk. If you prefer your interactions online, the city of Shenzhen has it all in one place, one app that allows you to do practically anything. If you want to make bank or mortgage payments, buy food, hail a cab, bet on sports or buy pretty much anything online, you can do it with an app that includes various single apps under one umbrella.

Also, if you want to have food delivered to you in a park, you can access the vending machines that actually sell real fresh food. You order whatever you want, and the restaurant delivers it to you in a drone by dropping off your order in the said vending machine, which you unpack and you can immediately recycle its packaging in the adjacent bin: voilà, now you can enjoy your hot freshly made food outdoors or anywhere you find yourself. This was shown in the documentary, but I am certain soon you could order the food from wherever you are and have it delivered to you promptly with a personal drone service.

Apart from cameras throughout the city, robots are also everywhere. That includes various self-driving cars that yield to pedestrians more than human drivers would. In fact, your hotel service will be a robot taking your luggage, effectively operating the elevator, and providing room service at any hour of your choosing.

Cameras will also be found at the workplace, which would be part and parcel of a smart building. You enter your workplace and do not need a security card as facial recognition will let you enter. You will be easily tracked, so employees who want to cut corners or kill time will have a more difficult time but at the same time, you can be easily located in case of an emergency, a fire, a natural disaster or what-have-you.

Every place with the exception of the washrooms has cameras. The smart building will tell you of available parking spots in the building so you do not waste any time or effort; it can automatically regulate the temperature of your office or workplace, and it can easily detect intruders or address threats in a prompt manner.

Speaking of intruders, there was a case of a foreigner who in a moment of oversight had left his laptop unattended in an outdoors café, which was stolen a few minutes later. The security guard assured him that he would be in possession of his computer in a few hours’ time. And so, it was. They went through the cameras spread throughout the city and were able to locate the thief, follow his movements to his home and easily identity him through the large database at hand.

This was the other amazing bit that crime is literally non-existent in the city of Shenzhen. It is not due to the virtue or moral conscience of its residents but simply due to the fact that you would get caught. What better and more effective way of preventing crime! Residents can leave their bikes unattended and their cars and houses unlocked, ironically hearkening back to a good old era - at least in certain small towns - where life was just safer and more peaceful. Unless you are a potential criminal or you are supporting crime, this situation is a win-win for all residents.  

What exactly are the drawbacks here? As eluded in my earlier prelude, technology can be misused, abused, or used improperly. You could track an ex and hence invade and impinge upon that person’s rightful private life; you could watch people’s movements seen as a potential political or ideological threat and not so much for the sake of public safety. The owner or supervisor will have absolute control through constant surveillance of the workplace. All of these are valid concerns that should not be downplayed or ignored and should be accounted for.

There is also a different darker side to technology that the documentary looked at as well in the form of AI and having an artificial companion or a sex robot. Those are also parts of technology that would, as I mentioned, undermine the human touch and replace it with something much less fulfilling or satisfying.

It comes not as a surprise that this trend would also thrive in a technologically sophisticated place like Shenzhen or any other place in the world. Yet like with blogs, videos, and social media, we also have accountability and the responsibility to act with integrity. At the same time, we need business, political, and community leaders to help and support us in this endeavor and to put certain guardrails for our overall protection.

All in all, I believe that Shenzhen is a symbol of how modern technology can make life not only easier and more convenient but also safer and more satisfying for everyone. That is the whole point of technology: to facilitate and not complicate our lives. This can be taken a step further to solve problems and even come up with solutions not only regarding daily interactions but also offering avenues for a better, more peaceful and sustainable future. We have the means, know-how and technology, so why not delve into it and make it part of our future lifestyle?