Mostly what you lose with time, in memory, is the specificity of things, their exact sequence. It all runs together, becomes a watery soup. Portmanteau days, imploded years. Like a bad actor, memory always goes for effect, abjuring motivation, consistency, good sense.
Interpretation
Memory tends to blend together over time, losing specific details and clarity.
In this quote, James Sallis reflects on the nature of memory and how time affects our recollection of events. He suggests that as time passes, our memories become less distinct and more fused into a vague amalgamation, akin to a 'watery soup'. This blend erases the clarity and sequence of past experiences, illustrating the unreliable nature of memory as it prioritizes emotional impact over factual accuracy.
In practice
In a speech about the effects of aging on cognition.
He existed a step or two to one side of the common world, largely out of sight, a shadow, all but invisible. Whatever he owned, either he could hoist it on his back and lug it along or he could walk away from it. Anonymity was the thing he loved most about the city, being a part of it and apart from it at the same time.
The world outside existed in a kind of darkness; and we inquired about nothing.
All history has been a history of class struggles, of struggles between exploited and exploiting, between dominated and dominating classes at various stages of social development.
When you are studying any matter or considering any philosophy, ask yourself only: what are the facts, and what is the truth that the facts bear out. Never let yourself be diverted by what you wish to believe, but look only and surely at what are the facts.
I think it's much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong.
The necessary thing is after all but this; solitude, great inner solitude. Going into oneself for hours meeting no one - this one must be able to attain.
In a position of utter desolation, when man cannot express himself in positive action, when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way - an honorable way - in such a position man can, through loving contemplation of the image he carries of his beloved, achieve fulfillment.
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