We’ve all been there, right? Not Mars but planet Brainfreeze.
We pass someone on the street who seems to know us, but we can’t place them. Are they from work? Or one of Michele’s friends?
A new study shows that our brain is to blame. Memories are retained like a snapshot, tying people to a particular context. If we see someone our brain associates with, say, the office, then it may not recognize them in the park.
Initially, at least – since the second or third time we see our colleague outside the office, our brain no longer codes ‘office’ and ‘colleague’ as a single unit.
Our brilliant, lazy brain’s way of maximizing space and energy. Mindblowing!
