EffectMemory & retrieval · Memory Bias · Entry 213
Telescoping Effect – recent events feel distant, and distant ones feel recent
Are you convinced that a movie from two years ago just came out yesterday? Or that a recent event happened much longer ago? That’s Telescoping Effect – the tendency to shift events in time, making recent ones feel distant and distant ones feel recent.
Where it can show up
- Memory errors – you might believe you’ve known someone longer than you actually have or think you haven’t seen a friend in ages when it’s only been a few months.
- Chronology distortion – past events seem closer to the present, while recent ones seem further back.
- Planning & deadlines – tasks may feel either too distant or already overdue due to distorted time perception.
💡 How to use it?
- Track dates – keeping a journal or calendar helps maintain accurate timelines.
- Double-check memories – don’t rely only on your sense of time, verify with facts.
- Stay mindful of deadlines – if you feel like you have plenty of time, check the actual date and recalculate the days left.
