It’s on the page
A claim that lives only in what was said can be talked back out of shape. A claim that is dated on a page stops moving. That is why the page ends an argument that another round of talking never
memory
Meaning
The subjective recall of past events or information by an individual. Memory within the context of founding work represents an internal, unfixed account, prone to alteration by new information, emotional states, or the passage of time. Unlike a documented record, it lacks an external, verifiable timestamp or definitive form.
This internal account often serves as a primary, though unstable, reference for past agreements and understandings.
Internal Account
Personal memory is an internal representation of events, inherently susceptible to reconstruction. It is not a static recording but a dynamic process that shapes and reshapes the narrative of past interactions and decisions. This makes relying solely on individual recall a costly approach when precision about past commitments is necessary, as the effort to align different personal memories demands significant attention and negotiation.
An internal account presents an unstable foundation.
Narrative Drift
Claims and understandings that exist only in memory are subject to narrative drift. As individuals process new experiences or engage in new conversations, their recollection of past events can subtly shift to fit an evolving personal narrative. This drift makes it difficult to hold people accountable to specific, unwritten agreements, often leading to disputes over what was truly said or decided.
It generates a high cost in terms of clarification and re-establishment of terms.
Verification Cost
The reliance on memory as a basis for shared agreement introduces a significant verification cost. When multiple people hold differing recollections, considerable time and energy must be spent comparing, debating, and reconciling these subjective accounts. This process often involves revisiting partial information or drawing inferences, rather than referring to an objective record.
The absence of a fixed external reference demands an expenditure of capacity to re-establish a shared truth.