We’ve been watching a show called Severance, and it really got me thinking. The premise is about people whose brains have been surgically altered so that their consciousness is split into two: one personality exists only at work, while the other lives their private life. These two versions of the same person have no memory of each other. According to the company in the show, this is the ideal way to achieve perfect work-life balance.
But as the episodes go on, it becomes clear that the workplace personalities suffer. They begin to crave freedom and autonomy, realizing that they’re essentially trapped in an endless loop of labor without rest or context.
If I had the option, I wouldn’t want to undergo that kind of procedure. I want to remember everything—well, maybe not the bad moments—but in general, I believe our memories shape who we are. They’re essential to our identity. Without them, how would we even place ourselves in the present?
This, to me, is how self-consciousness works: it’s the awareness of our past and our ability to relate to it from where we are now. When memories disappear, it feels like pieces of our personality go with them. The more we forget, the more fragmented we become.
Of course, it’s impossible to remember every detail, but our brain is wired to hold onto what’s truly important. It acts like an autopilot for our identity, maintaining a sense of continuity and coherence. It’s such a remarkable organ—quietly working to preserve the integrity of who we are.