RIP H.M. : Remember Sammy Jankis

[Rhythmdvl]

A remarkable man who deserves to be remembered. His participation in studies is remarkable, and his help benefited all mankind.

From the NY Times:

He knew his name. That much he could remember.

He knew that his father’s family came from Thibodaux, La., and his mother was from Ireland, and he knew about the 1929 stock market crash and World War II and life in the 1940s.

But he could remember almost nothing after that.

In 1953, he underwent an experimental brain operation in Hartford to correct a seizure disorder, only to emerge from it fundamentally and irreparably changed. He developed a syndrome neurologists call profound amnesia. He had lost the ability to form new memories.

For the next 55 years, each time he met a friend, each time he ate a meal, each time he walked in the woods, it was as if for the first time.

And for those five decades, he was recognized as the most important patient in the history of brain science. As a participant in hundreds of studies, he helped scientists understand the biology of learning, memory and physical dexterity, as well as the fragile nature of human identity. More…

[GameHat]

This thread title is cash.

Don’t believe his lies.

[Jaglavak]

Wow. Who knew that heaven could be so close to hell. RIP H.M.

[EvilTOJ]

Whoa wait, he was a REAL PERSON?? That’s amazing.

Always get a receipt.

[Tuckerfan]

@Jaglavak

Wow. Who knew that heaven could be so close to hell. RIP H.M.

You’ve never looked closely at the placement of human reproductive organs as related to the excretory ones, have you?

[Promethea]

Thank you for posting this article, Rhythmdvl - as you say, he deserves to be remembered. What a haunting case - poor man.

[Jaglavak]

@Tuckerfan

You’ve never looked closely at the placement of human reproductive organs as related to the excretory ones, have you?

Not since last night.