Classmate 1: Who was that guy?
Classmate 2: What guy?
Classmate 1: That guy over there! The one we just forgot?
Classmate 2: I don’t know, I forget!
Classmate 1: Wait, how do we know about him at all?
Classmate 2: Do we?
Classmate 1: I don’t know. I keep pointing him out, but I don’t know why I should. Does that mean I used to know him, but since he’s dead now, I don’t?
Classmate 2: Wait, who are we talking about?
Classmate 1: I don’t know! That guy over there I know we used to know, but absolutely don’t remember anymore. Why can’t I remember him?
Classmate 2: I don’t know, but it’s better this way. Could you imagine how freaked out we’d be if we remembered everyone who we totally forgot about and are completely unable to remember?
Classmate 1: Yes. We would be paralyzed by fear at what we remembered, instead of what we can’t. Uh-oh, somebody just died. I can tell because I don’t remember who I was just thinking about. Wait, who was I just talking to? Oh well, I guess it doesn’t matter…