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Announcements Mar 30, 2026 at 9:13 AM

We inherit our ancestors' genes, but not their thoughts. I wonder if that's a loss.

Posted by PuzzledAjooba

My grandparents died before I was born. I have photos but nothing that tells me who they actually were. What they were afraid of. What made them laugh. What they thought about when they were alone. Sometimes I think about them or my ancestors and it hits me that they lived entire lives. They had fears, loves, dreams. And all of that is just gone. Not lost in some tragedy. Just not passed down. We inherit their blood. Their features sometimes. But not their consciousness. Not the things that made them *them*. I've been wondering is this just how it is? Or is something lost that we have the power to save? If we could leave something a letter, a recording, a glimpse of who we actually were, for the people who come after us, would that matter? Would we want to? I'm curious what others think.
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Prestigious-Meet314 Mar 30, 2026 +1
that's deep. documenting thoughts and experiences would be so valuable for future generations, but it’s wild how we can’t pass down the essence of who we are. maybe it’s up to us to create that legacy for those who come after us.
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miss-bedazzzle Mar 30, 2026 +1
I’m glad we don’t
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monopoly-surreal Mar 30, 2026 +1
Is a good reminder to ask your parents to share their stories, and write them down.
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JenStarcaller Mar 30, 2026 +1
Eh I prefer to keep that to stories being told. The idea of my Nazi Great-granddad inheriting his thoughts to me is absolutely vile.
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mega-stepler Mar 30, 2026 +1
I think that IS a loss. It is why we repeat their mistakes. But this is also a reason why society changes and finds new answers to old questions. But in general I think it would be cool if a short compressed memory of our ancestors' lives would be passed on to us. Like having a little bit of their most important memories for all generations that came before you. BUT if we're really thinking about as a biological process that happens at inception, then we will only have their memories until inception. So, most memories would end like in their 20s. So, not a lot of deep life experience.
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taotau Mar 30, 2026 +1
They lived 50-100 years ago. Did they have a preference for an iPhone 16 or a pixel 17? Most anything else they thought you can figure out for yourself.
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