Recovering Generational Memory
The Time and Reality Series
Generation - The Word Defined
There are two uses for the word Generation.
The obvious one is that it refers to a grouping of people within a specific age range.
But that isn’t all we can say about the word.
The Cambridge dictionary’s first reference to generation defines it as,
“(a) all the people of about the same age within a society or within a particular family …
(b) a period of about 25 to 30 years, in which most human babies become adults and have their own children …
(c ) all the living things in a group that are born or start to exist at about the same time, and are related to one that existed at an earlier point in time.”
I know that this is the way we all think of the word “generation.”
However, take a closer look at the definition.
What do you see? What is missing?
The Cambridge dictionary also provides another use of the word.
“the production of energy in a particular form.”
“the action of causing something to exist.”
The confusion created between the two uses of the word is typical of the modern age. We want things to be so specific that they don’t lose their usefulness.
The first use of generation is principally meaningful to social scientists.
The second use of the word is principally meaningful to electrical engineers.
It is a technical term of utility.
However, in general use, the term is used more metaphorically to distinguish between groups within a social set. We use it as a verb to show creative change as the outcome of generating something from something else. Here’s how I am using the term.
Memory - The Word Defined
Decide right now that you don’t know what “memory” is.
The Cambridge dictionary gives these definitions.
“(a) the ability to remember information, experiences, and people
(b) something that you remember from the past
(c ) the part of a computer in which information or programs are stored either permanently or temporarily, or the amount of space available on it for storing information”
I find a problem with these definitions. The most egregious is that they use the word “remember” to describe what it is. If we don’t use the word remember, how would you define memory?
“To call back to our awareness a moment or idea from the past that has meaningful connection to the present moment.”
How is that? Remembering is an act of consciousness. The memory has lived in us like a presence that was sleeping. Then we hear a voice or see an object, and a moment in the past is immediately made present.
What then do we do with our memories?
I believe we learn from them. If the memory is of a loved one, we honor them with affection. If the memory is traumatic, we try to step back and allow the immediacy of the pain to relinquish is hold on us.
This is what memory is.
Subscribe to see the remaining sections:
Generational Memory - A Idea Defined
Generational Memory Becomes History
Recovering Generational Memory