title: Memory: A Very Short Introduction
author:  Jonathan K. Foster 
description: <br><strong>Dr. Jonathan Foster</strong> is a Clinical Professor affiliated with Curtin University, the University of Western Australia and the Telethon Institute. He works part-time in the Neurosciences Unit, Health Department of WA and in Private Practice. He has over 25 years' experience working in the field of memory and memory disorders, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications.<br>
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  # About the Author
  
  
  
  
  
  Ron Hale-Evans is a writer and game designer who earns his daily sandwich with
  frequent gigs as a technical writer. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology
  from Yale, with a minor in philosophy. Thinking a lot about thinking led him
  to create the Mentat Wiki at <http://www.ludism.org/mentat>, which led to this
  book. His multifarious and nefarious other projects can be accessed from his
  home page, <http://ron.ludism.org>, including his award-winning board games, a
  list of his Short-Duration Personal Saviours, and his blog. His wife Marty is
  a better man than he is.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 1. Memory
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Memory is a crucial human capability. Without memory, your mind is nothing but
  bare awareness. Memory orients us in time and space, enables us to recognize
  our loved ones, provides us with the knowledge that running in front of cars
  is dangerous, and gives us the raw materials we need to do everything else we
  do as humans—hence its primary place in this book.
  