Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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Maybe memory is a way we communicate with ourselves and the world at various layers, a bridging experience of what we call time and space.
In this episode, Andrea Hiott (andreahiott.com/) and Lynn Nadel (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Nadel) continue their ongoing talks about memory. This time they explore the intricate workings of the hippocampus, focusing on its role in bridging spatial and temporal gaps. They delve into how memory, navigation, and cognitive maps are interconnected, challenging traditional views and opening up discussions on the dynamic nature of memory.
Lynn shares insights from this paper (pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2119670118) , discusses how past research has evolved, touching upon philosophical perspectives from Kant and modern neuroscience findings. The conversation also briefly touches on the broader implications, including how understanding the hippocampus might extend to broader cognitive functions and societal interactions. There’s an in-depth ‘research ramble’ from Andrea at the beginning for those interested in the wider themes of this whole project, but you can also skip past that and go to the main conversation if you wish.
The main paper discussed here is The Hippocampal Formation and Action at a Distance (pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2119670118)
Lynn Nadel is an American psychologist who is the Regents’ Professor of psychology at the University of Arizona. Nadel specializes in memory, and has investigated the role of the hippocampus in memory formation. Together with John O’Keefe, he coauthored the influential 1978 book The Hippocampus as a Cognitive Map.
00:00 Introduction to Hippocampal Function
02:07 The Role of Memory and Space
11:38 Philosophical Insights on Space and Time
15:50 Quantum Entanglement and Memory
28:48 Hippocampus as a Cognitive Map
43:43 Encouragement and Introduction to Lynn Nadel
44:30 Discussing the Paper: The Hippocampal Formation and Action at a Distance
44:55 Linking Time and Space: The Role of the Hippocampus
47:21 Memory and Cognitive Maps
49:59 The Evolution of Cognitive Map Theory
51:34 Intertwining Memory and Navigation
01:04:30 Philosophical Perspectives on Space and Time
01:09:37 Innate Structures and Evolutionary Adaptations
01:16:08 Plant Cognition and Tropisms
01:16:59 The Importance of Memory
01:17:39 Cognitive Maps in Animals
01:17:57 Symposium and Research Updates
01:19:08 Locomotion and Cognitive Needs
01:20:54 Internal Models and Memory
01:23:27 Temporal Contiguity vs. Contingency
01:29:26 Dynamics of Memory
01:35:11 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans
01:36:34 Hippocampus and Social Interactions
Previous conversations with Lynn and Andrea (youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV2AfcoqBukwbktQ6zfQaRnW7bu8uYJjl)
Support the show (loveandphilosophy.com/giving-page)
The Hippocampal Formation and Action at a Distance (pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2119670118)
Please rate and review with love.
YouTube (youtube.com/@waymaking23) , Facebook (facebook.com/waymaking/) , Instagram (instagram.com/waymaking23/) , Substack (lovephilosophy.substack.com/) .
Give (loveandphilosophy.com/giving-page)
Support the show (loveandphilosophy.com/giving-page)
Buy Holding Paradox: The Navigational Approach to Mind and Consciousness (simonandschuster.net/books/Holding-Paradox/Andrea-Hiott/9781917991636) by Andrea Hiott
Sign up for Making Ways newsletter and projects. (making-ways.com/)
Please rate and review with love.
YouTube (youtube.com/@waymaking23) , Facebook (facebook.com/waymaking/) , Instagram (instagram.com/waymaking23/) , Substack (lovephilosophy.substack.com/) .
Send a love message (buzzsprout.com/2229994/fan_mail/new)
Maybe memory is a way we communicate with ourselves and the world at various layers, a bridging experience of what we call time and space.
In this episode, Andrea Hiott (andreahiott.com/) and Lynn Nadel (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Nadel) continue their ongoing talks about memory. This time they explore the intricate workings of the hippocampus, focusing on its role in bridging spatial and temporal gaps. They delve into how memory, navigation, and cognitive maps are interconnected, challenging traditional views and opening up discussions on the dynamic nature of memory.
Lynn shares insights from this paper (pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2119670118) , discusses how past research has evolved, touching upon philosophical perspectives from Kant and modern neuroscience findings. The conversation also briefly touches on the broader implications, including how understanding the hippocampus might extend to broader cognitive functions and societal interactions. There’s an in-depth ‘research ramble’ from Andrea at the beginning for those interested in the wider themes of this whole project, but you can also skip past that and go to the main conversation if you wish.
The main paper discussed here is The Hippocampal Formation and Action at a Distance (pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2119670118)
Lynn Nadel is an American psychologist who is the Regents’ Professor of psychology at the University of Arizona. Nadel specializes in memory, and has investigated the role of the hippocampus in memory formation. Together with John O’Keefe, he coauthored the influential 1978 book The Hippocampus as a Cognitive Map.
00:00 Introduction to Hippocampal Function
02:07 The Role of Memory and Space
11:38 Philosophical Insights on Space and Time
15:50 Quantum Entanglement and Memory
28:48 Hippocampus as a Cognitive Map
43:43 Encouragement and Introduction to Lynn Nadel
44:30 Discussing the Paper: The Hippocampal Formation and Action at a Distance
44:55 Linking Time and Space: The Role of the Hippocampus
47:21 Memory and Cognitive Maps
49:59 The Evolution of Cognitive Map Theory
51:34 Intertwining Memory and Navigation
01:04:30 Philosophical Perspectives on Space and Time
01:09:37 Innate Structures and Evolutionary Adaptations
01:16:08 Plant Cognition and Tropisms
01:16:59 The Importance of Memory
01:17:39 Cognitive Maps in Animals
01:17:57 Symposium and Research Updates
01:19:08 Locomotion and Cognitive Needs
01:20:54 Internal Models and Memory
01:23:27 Temporal Contiguity vs. Contingency
01:29:26 Dynamics of Memory
01:35:11 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans
01:36:34 Hippocampus and Social Interactions
Previous conversations with Lynn and Andrea (youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV2AfcoqBukwbktQ6zfQaRnW7bu8uYJjl)
Support the show (loveandphilosophy.com/giving-page)
The Hippocampal Formation and Action at a Distance (pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2119670118)
Please rate and review with love.
YouTube (youtube.com/@waymaking23) , Facebook (facebook.com/waymaking/) , Instagram (instagram.com/waymaking23/) , Substack (lovephilosophy.substack.com/) .
Give (loveandphilosophy.com/giving-page)
Support the show (loveandphilosophy.com/giving-page)
Buy Holding Paradox: The Navigational Approach to Mind and Consciousness (simonandschuster.net/books/Holding-Paradox/Andrea-Hiott/9781917991636) by Andrea Hiott
Sign up for Making Ways newsletter and projects. (making-ways.com/)
Please rate and review with love.
YouTube (youtube.com/@waymaking23) , Facebook (facebook.com/waymaking/) , Instagram (instagram.com/waymaking23/) , Substack (lovephilosophy.substack.com/) .
