A short text on the relationship between: 1- my last trip in 2024 and 2- the article "The massed-spaced learning effect in non-neural human cells." Rodrigo Tinoco - January 2025.In the far north of Brazil, in an indigenous tribe far removed from cities, lives an old wise man who carries not only the stories of his people but also a deep connection to the past. One day, he took his grandson to a large cave where, on the walls, was etched the mark of his hand, made when he was just five years old—the same age as his grandson. As he placed his aged hand on that mark, the old indigenous man relived memories from decades ago, as if time had folded to allow the past and present to meet. This experience was not just a moment of recollection but a powerful demonstration of how the body and the environment can serve as repositories of memories and knowledge.
a powerful demonstration of how the body and the environment can serve as repositories of memories and knowledge.
The story of the old indigenous man illustrates a profound truth: memories are not confined to the brain alone. They can be awakened through physical connections, like the touch of a hand on the cave's mark, or through symbols and rituals that transcend generations. This idea echoes recent scientific discoveries suggesting that memory can be stored and activated in different parts of the body and even in the world around us. Just as the old man uses the mark of his hand to relive and share stories, the body and the environment can function as living archives of experiences and wisdom.
The transmission of tribal knowledge, as seen between the old indigenous man and his grandson, is essential for preserving a people's culture and identity. In an increasingly globalized world, where ancestral traditions risk being lost, the ability to revive and share memories becomes an act of resistance. Tribal knowledge is not just a set of information but a living legacy, passed down through generations via stories, rituals, and symbols that connect the past to the present.
The story of the old indigenous man and his mark in the cave reminds us of the importance of preserving and passing down ancestral knowledge. In a time when memory is often associated only with technology or the brain, this narrative invites us to recognize that memory is also physical, environmental, and collective. The transmission of tribal knowledge is not just a way to honor the past but a means to ensure that future generations can learn from it and continue building a future rooted in their traditions and wisdom.
Artigo base:
The massed-spaced learning effect in non-neural human cells
Kukushkin, N.V., Carney, R.E., Tabassum, T. et al. The massed-spaced learning effect in non-neural human cells. Nat Commun 15, 9635 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53922-x
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