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the memory pill

Without a doubt it was the greatest discovery of the age. Popular
acclamation and acceptance was immediate. Of course, there were
those who disclaimed it, and the second great debate over the impiety
of "the Pill" resulted. Those who advocated tne acceptance of the
pill were unrestrained in their praise. They saw the new discovery as
the ultimate step in the area of "mind-expanding" drugs. Along with
extending consciousness, the pill offered total recall; one simple
dosage and the retention of experience was complete. The minority
who opposed the use of the pill were taunted as prophets of doorn,
called ultra-conservatives and jeered as standing in the way of good
old American progress.

The progressiveness of the pill was undeniable. Not once did any
user of the drug forget his mother-in-law's birthday on his anniversary.
Nor did anyone forget to take the "other" pill every morning. Books
got returned to the Library on time, and belated greeting cards went
out of existence. And everyone said that the minor drawbacks were
Worth the slight aggravation. No one really minded that forgetfulness
was no longer a legitimate excuse. And no one really minded discard-
Ing the trite old phrases such as "time cures all ills", either. Of
course, it became impossible to fool yourself. At least no one looked
back on the past longing for the" good old days" --- everyone remem-
bered all too well how miserable they had actually been. Some people

actually became so disillusioned that they imagined man's faulty

memory had been his greatest possession. They felt that total objec-
tive reality was a harsh burden to have to bear. They missed their
ability to use their memories selectively.

However, most people were still content. After all, politicians
could no longer lie. Of course, neither could the history books. And
everyone got along quite well considering that no one forgot even the
most .rninor quarrels. But a strange silence surrounds the report that
the discoverer of the pill was to receive the Nobel Prize. In fact,
SOmeone is now spreading the rumor that the award will actually go to
the SC.IentI.st who discovers the anecdote.

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