<p>I just wanted to add to the current answers, that this idea of one element of a network results in the entire network becoming active (aka a smell triggers the memory) is thought of as a Hebbian cell assembly. Donald Hebb introduced the idea of "neurons that fire together, wire together". And with that in becomes easier to think of how one spark (for whatever reason that may be) will activate the whole network, or only the strongest parts. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-13T03:11:15.740Z
2014-04-13T03:11:15.740Z
Lofo
<p>As I was driving, all of a sudden the name "Holden Caufield" came to my mind. It sounded really familiar. I googled the name and it was the main character in The Catcher in the Rye. The last time I even read that book was in 2005. I had no reason to even remember this book because I thought it was boring. </p>

<ul>
<li>Yet how did I seem to recall the name "Holden Caufield?" </li>
<li>Is this proof that we basically remember everything, we just have to find ways to access the memories?</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-23T15:45:17.923Z
Memory is associative, perhaps you just were thinking about something related in the book. P.s. Could you update your question title to better and fully reflect the actual question please?
Steven Jeuris
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-08-23T15:47:39.370Z
P.s.s. Holden Caufield reminded me of a song, Streetlight Manifesto - here's to life. ;)
Steven Jeuris
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-09-03T20:09:48.837Z
@user3180 actually the book's protagonist is named Holden Caulfield, with an L : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_Caulfield
lmjohns3
<memory><cognitive-neuroscience>
How do memories come up for no apparent reason? Is this evidence that we remember everything?
guesoeirjior
# How do memories come up for no apparent reason? Is this evidence that we remember everything?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-08-23)

As I was driving, all of a sudden the name "Holden Caufield" came to my mind. It sounded really familiar. I googled the name and it was the main character in The Catcher in the Rye. The last time I even read that book was in 2005. I had no reason to even remember this book because I thought it was boring.

* Yet how did I seem to recall the name "Holden Caufield?"
* Is this proof that we basically remember everything, we just have to find ways to access the memories?

**Tags:** memory, cognitive-neuroscience

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Memory is associative, perhaps you just were thinking about something related in the book. P.s. Could you update your question title to better and fully reflect the actual question please?  
> **username_1**: P.s.s. Holden Caufield reminded me of a song, Streetlight Manifesto - here's to life. ;)  
> **username_2**: @user3180 actually the book's protagonist is named Holden Caulfield, with an L : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_Caulfield  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-04-13. Score: 1

I just wanted to add to the current answers, that this idea of one element of a network results in the entire network becoming active (aka a smell triggers the memory) is thought of as a Hebbian cell assembly. Donald Hebb introduced the idea of "neurons that fire together, wire together". And with that in becomes easier to think of how one spark (for whatever reason that may be) will activate the whole network, or only the strongest parts.


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