If you could erase one memory permanently, would you?

Philosophy & Psychology ·Thursday, August 6, 2026

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If you could erase one memory permanently, would you?

36%

divided14responses

It’s both.

“No — even the painful memories shaped who I became and removing one would change me in ways I cannot predict”

“I would want to erase the pain of the memory but keep the lesson — the two are inseparable and that is exactly the problem”

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All answers

No — even the painful memories shaped who I became and removing one would change me in ways I cannot predict

36%

I would want to erase the pain of the memory but keep the lesson — the two are inseparable and that is exactly the problem

36%

Yes — there is one memory I would remove without hesitation and I know exactly which one

21%

Yes, but I would need time to decide which — several come to mind and choosing feels significant

No — forgetting would feel like a betrayal of the people involved, including who I was at the time

Close call — “No — even the painful memories shaped who I became and removing one would change me in ways I cannot predict” and “I would want to erase the pain of the memory but keep the lesson — the two are inseparable and that is exactly the problem” are nearly tied.

Country

% chose top answer

🇭🇷Croatia67%🇧🇬Bulgaria50%🇧🇪Belgium100%

5 of 14 respondents didn't share their info

Age

100%

60%

20%

50%

35–44 is most divided — 60% “No — even the painful memories shaped who I became and removing one would change me in ways I cannot predict” vs 20% “Yes, but I would need time to decide which — several come to mind and choosing feels significant”.

5 of 14 respondents didn't share their info

Gender

67%

33%

67%

17%

5 of 14 respondents didn't share their info

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