←back to thread

MomBoard: E-ink display for a parent with amnesia

(jan.miksovsky.com)
2093 points pabs3 | 7 comments | 14 Nov 24 12:20 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source | bottom
Show context
frereubu ◴[14 Nov 24 13:42 UTC] No.42136060[source]▶
This is one of the few HN articles that have profoundly moved me. Such a beautiful and simple use of technology to make a clear and big improvement in someone's life.

As a side note on his mother remembering that the tablet exists, it sounds like she has amnesia quite like Henry Molaison, a famous case study in neuropathology. He had very specific brain damage that seemingly stopped him forming new memories in the same way as OP's mother, but studies showed that he could remember some things, just not consciously. So for example he would have warm feelings towards people who'd been caring for him despite not remembering them, and would also pick up card games more and more quickly as he played them repeatedly despite saying he didn't remember the game. OP's mother remembering the tablet sounds very similar, particularly when paired with the feeling of being remembered and loved by her children.

replies(7): >>42136434 #>>42136803 #>>42138367 #>>42140112 #>>42140339 #>>42141253 #>>42142151 #
1. hinkley ◴[14 Nov 24 19:25 UTC] No.42140112[source]▶
There was a study that suggested that the motor cortex can remember even if short term memory conversion was destroyed.

If nothing else, myelinization counts as a form of memory. Strengthened by reuse.

I would love to know if those warm feelings are stronger with individuals who remind you of someone you used to know. “This nurse reminds me of Aunt Sarah, who was nice to me when my dog died.” And so forth.

replies(2): >>42140217 #>>42141031 #
2. frereubu ◴[14 Nov 24 19:34 UTC] No.42140217[source]▶
That study is an interesting suggestion that there might be a physiological basis for the explicit / implicit distinction in terms of memory. Makes sense in many ways that some kind of memory might be embedded in the motor cortex. I wonder if the same is true for emotional memories and midbrain structures, as hinted at in your last paragraph.

I always find those non-obvious connections fascinating, like the disorders where e.g. someone can't say the word "fork" when they're looking at one despite being to describe what you use it for etc, but can immediately name it when they touch it.

Edit: got a link? I'd be interested to read that.

replies(1): >>42140593 #
3. hinkley ◴[14 Nov 24 20:06 UTC] No.42140593[source]▶
I thought we discussed it here a few years ago but neither algolia nor DDG are giving me hits. I’m probably using the wrong search terms.

I have a relative with anterograde amnesia from a stroke, so that story got passed on to my father when it happened. 8 years ago perhaps?

replies(2): >>42140994 #>>42142555 #
4. frereubu ◴[14 Nov 24 20:42 UTC] No.42140994{3}[source]▶
OK, thanks for trying - will try a bit of searching myself.
5. smeej ◴[14 Nov 24 20:46 UTC] No.42141031[source]▶
I have this weird issue where about a third of people I meet for the first time swear they know me from somewhere, and it's somewhere specific that I know I've never been. My dad and brother have the same issue, and we strongly resemble each other, so I think I just have a congenitally familiar face.

I have no idea if feelings would automatically transfer to me from people with amnesia, but they certainly do for people without it, even though I don't remind them of anyone they know well enough to name.

6. fragmede ◴[14 Nov 24 23:47 UTC] No.42142555{3}[source]▶
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Molaison
replies(1): >>42143891 #
7. hinkley ◴[15 Nov 24 04:09 UTC] No.42143891{4}[source]▶
2002 I think is a little earlier than the research I was thinking of but that’s essentially the same conclusion.