Time, Attention, and Creative Work. After 4 years and a lot of productivity pr0n, we’re shifting gears. Re-learn how to use 43 Folders. Then back to work. [»]
”What’s 43 Folders?”
43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.
Tracking Down the "Embarrassing Memory" Noise
Merlin Mann | Jul 23 2008
Compelled to Blurt… | Ask Metafilter Like a lot of people in this Ask Metafilter thread, I thought I was the only person in the universe who made an unconscious little noise when remembering something stupid I did or said.
For context, my tic (which can also be heard when someone near me does something dumb) sounds a little like the noise Leo Bloom makes after he falls on his keys (00:34). “Ooooooom….” The Question to YouAnyone else do this? Anybody out there qualified to talk about the psychology or neuroscience behind this apparent phenomenon? I’ll bet there’s a cool, scientific name for it. 26 Comments
POSTED IN:
 I guess I doSubmitted by Writer Dad on July 23, 2008 - 7:01am.
My wife says that I click my tongue. It was news to me. »
Going back in timeSubmitted by thisdarcy on July 23, 2008 - 7:14am.
I have this tic as well. I notice I end up with my mouth almost wide open and I blurt out a sound from my throat like “agh,” as though I’m trying to interrupt myself in the memory from saying what I’m saying. I suspect it’s me unconsciously going back in time to save myself, or to teach myself that in these situations, we DO NOT do as I did here. »
 tic with visualsSubmitted by Cugel on July 23, 2008 - 7:53am.
Mine is soft, starting in the back of the throat, but eventually it pops out into the air. Its a bit like a mediative “Ommmm” without the glottal (?) at the start. The accompanying visual is me pulling my ejection seat handle (the lower one) and being blasted out into a gale (am ex Air Force type). Lots of shame winging around in my skull at the same time. Triggers … remembering: … trying to chat up impossibly good looking women when a bit drunk (very old memories these). … that stag party in the Nomads Sea Angling Club when I …. … that time when I was walking back from the gym on a cold and quiet morning, listening to my ipod, and did a very loud fart, then turned around to see ten feet behind me my neighbour walking her dog. »
This article makes me feel less insaneSubmitted by djbell on July 23, 2008 - 8:02am.
I do something similar to what is quoted from Ask Metafilter, but I’m semi-consciously providing myself with negative self-talk in a half-whisper or grunt. It’s usually a single word attack like “dumb” or “stupid,” although it’s sometimes a phrase. Honestly, I’ve thought about seeing a shrink about it because rationally I know it’s absurd and destructive. I did this recently upon remembering answering 63 as the product of 8 and 8 on my third grade multiplication test. I would like to point out that I am now 31 years old, have a wife and child, am successful, lucky, and definitely know my “timeses.” I’ve been ruminating on a solution to this, in addition to professional help. Maybe capturing the embarrassing thought would get it out of mind in the same way capturing information for processing does. Do you think if I wrote a journal of embarrassing things it would help or hurt? »
 Few of my oooooom momentsSubmitted by Merlin Mann on July 23, 2008 - 8:07am.
Oh, cugel these are good. You could easily be on our podcast. I make the noise when I remember the time… …when I was 13 that a big bunch of people were talking about where to eat, and when asked for a suggestion I said, “I’m expendable”… …when I was in college and asked a simply-heavy-set waitress when her baby was due… …when I was 12 and customarily wore white painters pants with a striped shirt and “Mork from Ork” rainbow suspenders… …not three weeks ago when I asked the Borders guy where the books on “improv writing” were located… Okay. I better stop. My throat’s getting sore. »
 re: the question to youSubmitted by John_at_154 on July 23, 2008 - 8:13am.
I would love to hear what Jonah Lehrer has to say about this question. »
 Embarrassing Memories: The MusicalSubmitted by waderockett on July 23, 2008 - 8:32am.
With me it might start as a “Hmm” or a grunt or a muttered “Oh, God.” It feels like the sound’s been wrenched out of me. The problem is that the memory of one stupid, embarrassing thing I did triggers a cascade of other horrible memories. When this happens, I find myself singing or humming quietly in a desperate attempt to distract my brain. It’s sort of like the murderer in Bester’s SF novel The Demolished Man blanking his mind against telepaths by thinking of a catchy commercial jingle. Musical moments: On two separate occasions in college I thought my friends would appreciate knowing that their ex-girlfriends had been hitting on me. Once I tried to bond with a co-worker by noting that we were both “kind of twitchy.” He responded with a long, cold, silent stare. Another time I… …oh, God. There’s no business like show business, there’s no business I know… »
Feeling Bleh...Submitted by AJ on July 23, 2008 - 8:41am.
Mine is definately a “bleh”… Quiet and almost whispered. Images of: 13 years old and headed to the school dance in a pink dress shirt with white jacket and slacks. Was I actually wearing pink socks? “BLEH!!” »
I saw that AskMeFi post...Submitted by jholloway on July 23, 2008 - 9:23am.
I saw that AskMeFi post yesterday, and I thought the poster was crazy… and then it got 50 favorites and a ton of replies with people saying they have the same thing. Now I feel like the only one who doesn’t have a secret embarrassing memory noise. I feel left out. »
Please make it stop ...Submitted by Cugel on July 23, 2008 - 9:23am.
http://web.mac.com/michael2gc/Site_2/Eject.html »
About Merlin MannBio Merlin Mann is an independent writer, speaker, and broadcaster. He’s best known for being the guy who started the website you’re reading right now. He lives in San Francisco, does lots of public speaking, and helps make cool things like You Look Nice Today. Also? He looks like this, answers questions, and has something like a life. Merlin’s favorite thing he’s written recently is a short essay called, “Better.” |
|
| EXPLORE 43Folders | THE GOOD STUFF |
Popular |
|
Inbox ZeroThe original 43 Folders series looking at the skills, tools, and attitude needed to empty your email inbox — and then keep it that way. Don’t miss the free video of Merlin’s Inbox Zero presentation. Making Time3-part series on attention management for artists and makers. Read Bad Correspondence, The Job You Think You Have, and One Clear Line. |
43 Folders is powered by Drupal, which rules. Our site was designed by a bearded fella from Wire and Twine and has been lovingly skinned for Drupal by the code ninjas at RoopleTheme. Ben Durbin is the sine qua non and our personal consigliere. 43f’s web hosting is sponsored by A2.
43 Folders® is a registered trademark of Merlin Mann. All posts and comments © their original owners. Everything else (including the design) is © Merlin Mann, 2004-2008. Merlin’s posts can be reused or republished solely in accordance with the BY-NC-ND Creative Commons License. Please don’t be a douche with my stuff. Here’s our Legal and Ground Rules. 43 Folders loves you. Namasté.
