Remembering and forgetting are part of the same mental process. To write down one detail of an event is to not write down another {unless you keep writing forever}.
In the process of remembering, there are inherent limitations that lead to forgetting. When we choose to focus on a specific detail of an event or experience, other details inevitably fade away. This highlights the selective nature of memory, as our brains can only hold onto so much information at once.
Essentially, the act of documenting or recalling one aspect of an experience comes at the cost of overlooking other aspects. Jonathan Safran Foer's insight emphasizes that memory is not just about retention but also involves loss, illustrating the balance between what we choose to remember and what is left behind.
