The Day After Yesterday

Wasn't that the title of Miles Raymond's book in the movie Sideways? Or, as Maya responded: "You mean today!"

As each new day begins, we as humans aren't the only organisms on this earth "burdened" by memories. Our paciderm friends have centuries of data stored in their brains. And not just information about the day before. They supposedly carry around thoughts about distant relatives, far off places, and evolutionary history. What a burden that must be. No wonder elephants have trunks!

We need memories, no doubt about it. Without memories, we would not be able to learn...one of the characteristics once thought to be exclusive to homo sapiens. We know differently now. Even flatworms have some sort of learning curve. But do flatworms, or any other living organism other than humans, use memories like we do? Are we the sole animal that uses memories from yesterday to worry the day after yesterday?

Chimpanzee #1: You know, yesterday I found this wonderful fruit tree down by the river.
Chimpanzee #2: Really? You may remember that I was there with you.
Chimpanzee #1: Oh, that's right. Now I remember.
Chimpanzee #2: What's your point?
Chimpanzee #1: Well, you may recall that we couldn't reach the fruit. It was too high in that tree. For us to eat today, we need to find a way to get that fruit.
Chimpanzee #2: True. But are you going to sit there and worry about it all day...or shall we just go down there and figure out a way to get the fruit?
Chimpanzee #1: What's your point?
Chimpanzee #2: I do worry about you sometimes! Follow me.

What's my point you may ask? I even seem to worry about the amount of time I spend worrying. How about you?

Note to self: Today, go down to the river and figure out how to get that fruit.