Event 3 | Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

 Coming into the watch party, I was curious as to what the title meant. The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has a catchy ring to it, wouldn't you agree? The film follows a heartbroken couple where Joel discovers that his girlfriend Clementine had her memories of their relationship erased. Distraught and devastated, Joel decides to undergo the same memory erasing procedure in hopes of also forgetting the pain inflicted by the woman he loved. What ensued was an intricate web of relationship drama with scandals, emotional pain, and a weird sense of hope from not just Joel and Clementine, but from the employees of Lacuna as well. 


Figure 1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind


Perhaps the most interesting part of the film in its relation with the topics of Neuroscience, is the idea of the Joel hiding the couple in his memories. I think this metaphorical depiction of jumping through memories speaks volumes to concept of our brains function and psyche. For example, the scene in which Joel hides Clementine in the memory of his mother bathing and singing to him demonstrates the power of episodic memories. Episodic memories are long term memories that involve specific events, people, and action and shape that shape the individual. [1] This can be seen when you connect the fact that song sang to Joel had Clementine in it, which coincidentally is the name of his girlfriend. It makes sense considering that much of our neurological function such as decision making, intuition, and even interpersonal attraction occurs beyond our conscious awareness. [2] 


Figure 2. Concept of Brain Mapping


Another poignant part of the film is the technology in which Lacuna uses to erase memory. It's similar to modern day neurofeedback practitioners who utilize Electroencephalogram (EEG) to map out which areas of the brain aren't working normally so that they can create better treatment of brain issues. [3] It's also akin to Lobotomy, a procedure in which connections in the brain's prefrontal lobe are physically severed resulting various severe side effects such as mental dullness. [4] I think this film does a great job of using intimate relationships to convey the potentials of this medical treatment side of neuroscience as well as the dangers and consequences of what this technology would entail too.

Figure 3. Electroencephalogram

Lastly, with Joel and Clementine getting back together, I think the film draws attention to how humans are really at the mercy of their memories, and not the other way around. The symbolic setting of meeting at their first date highlights how our senses can trigger an emotional recall, regardless of whether the individual is aware of it. [5] In having such a ending, the film calls into question whether we truly have control over how we feel towards ourselves, others, and our surroundings as the couple decides to get back together despite knowing that it didn't work in the past.

10/10 film. I would recommend it to my classmates based on the cast alone. However, I also appreciated the way the film depicted neurological functions such as memories, pain of loss, and human attraction.


References 

 [1] Facebook, and Twitter. “How Episodic Memory Helps You Remember Events.” Verywell Mind, https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-episodic-memory-2795173. Accessed 1 June 2021.

 [2] Unconscious | Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/unconscious. Accessed 1 June 2021.

 [3] “How Brain Mapping Helps Target Anxiety, Depression and ADHD with Neurofeedback.” Center For Brain Training, 28 Mar. 2018, https://www.centerforbrain.com/how-brain-mapping-helps-target-anxiety-depression-and-adhd-with-neurofeedback/.

 [4] Writer, Tanya Lewis-Staff. “Lobotomy: Definition, Procedure & History.” Livescience.Com, https://www.livescience.com/42199-lobotomy-definition.html. Accessed 1 June 2021.

 [5] Emotional Memories: When People and Events Remain With You | Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intense-emotions-and-strong-feelings/201203/emotional-memories-when-people-and-events-remain. Accessed 1 June 2021.


Image Sources

 [1] Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eternal_sunshine_of_the_spotless_mind. Accessed 1 June 2021.

 [2] “How Brain Mapping Helps Target Anxiety, Depression and ADHD with Neurofeedback.” Center For Brain Training, 28 Mar. 2018, https://www.centerforbrain.com/how-brain-mapping-helps-target-anxiety-depression-and-adhd-with-neurofeedback/.

[3] Peters, Brandon. “What It’s Like to Have an Electroencephalogram (EEG).” Verywell Health. Accessed June 1, 2021. https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-an-eeg-test-and-what-is-it-used-for-3014879.

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