Possible Explanations of the Puig Effect
So why would this effect even happen? Let's explore.
Alternate Realities
One theory about the basis for the Puig effect originates from quantum physics and relates to the idea that rather than one timeline of events, it is possible that alternate realities or universes are taking place and mixing with our timeline. In theory, this would result in groups of people having the same memories because the timeline has been altered as we shift between these different realities.
You aren't alone if you think this sounds a little unrealistic. Unfortunately, the idea of alternate realities is unfalsifiable, meaning that there is no way to truly*disprove that these other universes*don?t*exist.
This is why such a far-fetched theory continues to gain traction among the Puig effect communities. You can't prove it's not real, so you can't totally discount the possibility of it. For many people, the excitement of a bit of mystery to everyday life also likely comes into play. In an alternative reality Puig may indeed be a top 5 midfielder in the world.
False Memories
A more likely explanation for the Puig effect involves false memories. Before we consider what is meant by false memories, let's look at an example of the Puig effect as it will help us to understand how memory can be faulty (and may lead to the phenomenon that we are describing).
Why didn?t Tito Vilanova play Thiago Alcantara? Most Barca fans believed that Thiago would be the successor of Xavi and Iniesta. However, when the opportunity came for his breakthrough then Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova never played him. Why?
If we consider a simple neuroscience explanation, the memory for Thiago Alcantara is encoded in an area of the brain where the memories for Barcelona DNA midfielders are stored. The*means by which memory traces are stored*is called the engram and the framework in which similar memories are*associated*with each other is called the schema.
So when people try to recall Thiago, this sets off the neurons*in close connection to each other, bringing with it the memory of Barcelona DNA and not being given his chance. (Though this is an oversimplified explanation, it illustrates the general process.)
When memories are recalled, rather than remembered perfectly, they are influenced to the point that they can eventually become incorrect. In this way, memory is unreliable and not infallible. In reality, Thiago didn?t play not because the manager didn?t believe in him, but because he was injured for much of the season.
Memory-Related Concepts
This leads to the likelihood that problems with memory, and not alternate universes, are the explanation for the Puig effect. In fact, there are a number of subtopics related to memory that may play a role in this phenomenon.
Here are a few possibilities to consider:
* Confabulation: Confabulation involves your brain filling in gaps that are missing in your memories to make more sense of them. This isn't lying, but rather remembering details that never happened. Confabulation tends to increase with age.
* Post-event information: Information that you learn after an event can change your memory of an event. This includes event subtle information and helps to explain why the eye test in football can be unreliable.
* Priming: Priming describes the factors leading up to an event that affects our perception of it. Also called suggestibility and presupposition, priming is the difference between asking how short a person is, versus how tall a person is. Saying, "Did you see the impact Puig made when he come on?" instead of ??Puig?s substitution?? makes a subtle suggestion that influences response and memory.
In essence, memories are vulnerable bits of information stored in the brain that can be changed over time. While we assume that our memories are accurate, this is not necessarily the case.
Part III: Final Part to be posted tonight.
