Memory as Currency
The Memory Exchange is a scripted experience that tests memory related behavior. It seeks to better understand the challenges in engaging participants in exercises of memory and future visioning. First it tries to expose challenges in asking participants to relate personal memories and envisioning their future. Secondly it tests participant’s potential attachment to memories, real and constructed. Finally it simulates the act of ‘removing’ memories to gauge feelings of discomfort and attachment.
Participants are asked to envision a ‘memory they hope to one day have’. They are asked to write this down and submit them into a nondescript box. After a brief moment they are then asked to open the box and remove a memory at random, excluding their own. Once they have chosen and have read their memory they often ask ‘what now?’ at which time they are responded to with a frank ‘do with it as you will’.
Many participants asked for additional time, despite being given no time limit, to consider their future memory. There seemed to be an obvious pleasure many participants gained from the experience of considering their future and of the potential for their idea to be ‘taken care of’ and in their perception that they might be contributing to something that would build off their idea. When asked to ‘remove a memory’ most participants paused briefly as they realized their own memory would be removed by someone as well. They often took care to select a memory that had personal meaning to them, wether as inspiration or as a reminder of their own memory. A number of participants asked to exchange the memory they removed for another, more meaningful one. When told they could do as hey pleased with the memory a number of participants requested to keep the memory, asking if it was ‘o.k. despite being told that any outcome was acceptable.
While some participants reflected that it was ‘hard’ to come up with future memories it was surprising to see the amount of pleasure this act could create with very little prompting. It was also surprising to see how attached participants could become to personal memories that do not exist as memories, but are merely wishful future visions.
This test was able to illustrate the amount of prompting needed for personal reflection and it appears to indicate that participants will forgive feelings of discomfort from memory removal, if they receive something in return. In this case participants were given another person’s memory which they could chose to care for if desired.
The Memory Exchange is a scripted experience that tests memory related behavior. It seeks to better understand the challenges in engaging participants in exercises of memory and future visioning. First it tries to expose challenges in asking participants to relate personal memories and envisioning their future. Secondly it tests participant’s potential attachment to memories, real and constructed. Finally it simulates the act of ‘removing’ memories to gauge feelings of discomfort and attachment.
Participants are asked to envision a ‘memory they hope to one day have’. They are asked to write this down and submit them into a nondescript box. After a brief moment they are then asked to open the box and remove a memory at random, excluding their own. Once they have chosen and have read their memory they often ask ‘what now?’ at which time they are responded to with a frank ‘do with it as you will’.
Many participants asked for additional time, despite being given no time limit, to consider their future memory. There seemed to be an obvious pleasure many participants gained from the experience of considering their future and of the potential for their idea to be ‘taken care of’ and in their perception that they might be contributing to something that would build off their idea. When asked to ‘remove a memory’ most participants paused briefly as they realized their own memory would be removed by someone as well. They often took care to select a memory that had personal meaning to them, wether as inspiration or as a reminder of their own memory. A number of participants asked to exchange the memory they removed for another, more meaningful one. When told they could do as hey pleased with the memory a number of participants requested to keep the memory, asking if it was ‘o.k. despite being told that any outcome was acceptable.
While some participants reflected that it was ‘hard’ to come up with future memories it was surprising to see the amount of pleasure this act could create with very little prompting. It was also surprising to see how attached participants could become to personal memories that do not exist as memories, but are merely wishful future visions.
This test was able to illustrate the amount of prompting needed for personal reflection and it appears to indicate that participants will forgive feelings of discomfort from memory removal, if they receive something in return. In this case participants were given another person’s memory which they could chose to care for if desired.
DETAILS
Goals:
1. To better understand the challenges of asking participants to envision the future through the context of memories.
2. To better understand reactions of participants who are asked to ‘create memories’.
1. To better understand the challenges of asking participants to envision the future through the context of memories.
2. To better understand reactions of participants who are asked to ‘create memories’.
3. To better understand participants’ attachment to the memories they are asked to create.
4. To better understand the threshold of participant discomfort.
5. To better understand how much discomfort participants will tolerate.
Components:
A simple closed box with a slit for inserting memories. Instructions written on two pages attached to lid. Tags (for writing memories on) made of thick paper stock.
Instructions:
Part A:
1. Write down a memory you hope to one day have and place it in box.
2. Reveal Part B (lift paper to reveal)…
Part B:
3. Lift box lid and remove a single memory at random (do not select your own).
Part C:
4. Do with it as you please.
Responses:
PART A:
- Participants did not need additional prompts to answer question.
- Many participants found the question ‘interesting’.
- Many participants took time to answer the question.
- Many participants appeared to enjoy the process of contemplating their future.
- Many participants appeared to like the idea of contributing their memory to a collective.
- Some participants became so attached to their memory that they were hesitant to relinquish it.
- Some participants wanted to adjust their memory once it was placed in the box.
PART B:
- Many Participants were surprised when they realized their own ‘memory’ would be ‘removed’ by someone else.
- Many participants were eager to read other people’s ‘memories’.
- Some participants appeared distressed that their memory might be discarded.
- Some participants were not satisfied with the initial memory they ‘removed’ and requested to select another memory.
PART C:
- Some participants kept the memory they selected.
- Some participants asked if they could keep the memory they selected, despite the instructions indicating they could do as they pleased with the memory.
- Some participants appeared to find the memory they selected to be valuable.
4. To better understand the threshold of participant discomfort.
5. To better understand how much discomfort participants will tolerate.
Components:
A simple closed box with a slit for inserting memories. Instructions written on two pages attached to lid. Tags (for writing memories on) made of thick paper stock.
Instructions:
Part A:
1. Write down a memory you hope to one day have and place it in box.
2. Reveal Part B (lift paper to reveal)…
Part B:
3. Lift box lid and remove a single memory at random (do not select your own).
Part C:
4. Do with it as you please.
Responses:
PART A:
- Participants did not need additional prompts to answer question.
- Many participants found the question ‘interesting’.
- Many participants took time to answer the question.
- Many participants appeared to enjoy the process of contemplating their future.
- Many participants appeared to like the idea of contributing their memory to a collective.
- Some participants became so attached to their memory that they were hesitant to relinquish it.
- Some participants wanted to adjust their memory once it was placed in the box.
PART B:
- Many Participants were surprised when they realized their own ‘memory’ would be ‘removed’ by someone else.
- Many participants were eager to read other people’s ‘memories’.
- Some participants appeared distressed that their memory might be discarded.
- Some participants were not satisfied with the initial memory they ‘removed’ and requested to select another memory.
PART C:
- Some participants kept the memory they selected.
- Some participants asked if they could keep the memory they selected, despite the instructions indicating they could do as they pleased with the memory.
- Some participants appeared to find the memory they selected to be valuable.
