The Mandela Effect: Lacking Collective Culture, Lacks Collective Memory

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A popular example of “the Mandela effect”, the fictitious Sinbad Shazam stills exists in the minds of some. “The Mandela effect” is a collective false memory dubbed this name due to an old thought from Fiona Broome that Nelson Mandela had died serving a prison sentence in the 1980s. Mandela however lived until 2013. Apparently others also recall his death in the 80s. Mysterious, yes, but accurate, no. It’s scientifically proven that our memories are not like a photo or a recording. They are rather the brain’s attempt to reconstruct a moment in time. It’s entirely feasible that some people falsely remember something and thus after years, others memorize that same thing without remembering its falsity.

Another way this can spread is rumor. In the 1980s, we didn’t have the internet, like today. Information was nowhere near as easily-verified. Thus, one person says Nelson Mandela died, suddenly someone believes it, tells more people, and a rumor would spread like wildfire in pre-internet times. Then, decades pass, and you remember what you thought was true. In the case of the internet’s fascination with a supposed Shazam film starring Sinbad, it is likely the memory of Shaquille O’Neal starring in Kazaam. How do you mix up Shaq with Sinbad? It could be that both names start with a S, or it could be a hint of racial prejudice even in less aware times.

There’s no one answer to why people think Shazam starring Sinbad exists. There is something to examine here however. Kazaam was released in 1996. A decade later was 2006, and suddenly people could enjoy whatever niche entertainment they like via the internet. Then within another decade, streaming platforms would be introduced, and suddenly cable viewership would decrease. Suddenly within 20 years, there is no unified form of consuming culture. In the current cultural environment, people will be unaware of some cultural phenomenons. People don’t watch news like they used to. People don’t watch ESPN like they used to. We don’t have MTV News like we used to. People will miss out on some stuff. Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard, Anthony Edwards, recently admitted in an interview that he didn’t know who Alex Rodriguez was. Now, Anthony Edwards is 19 and not everyone watches baseball, but Alex Rodriguez is easily one of the most famous and recognizable athletes of all-time. Point being, when a society loses touch with its culture, people lose touch with the culture.

Kazaam isn’t a memorable or worthwhile piece of culture. What pieces of worthwhile culture will we lose however without staying in touch with art culture, and the history of it? The past is the past, but history will always be vital. Timeless artistic works and talent must continue to be promoted and celebrated. Today, we may not remember something silly all that well. If we continue without unified cultural acknowledgement though, we may be risking a lot of culture we all have loved for some time. This is why Bulletproof Soul exists; like the function of a museum to remember the best of the best, while also continuing the culture of creating original timeless work.

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