For humans, the capacity to remember varies from person to person and is influenced by numerous factors. Memory is a complex cognitive process that involves the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information. The amount of life events and experiences that individuals can remember depends on their age, genetics, overall health, cognitive abilities, and the significance of those events.
There are different types of memory, such as short-term memory and long-term memory. Short-term memory typically has a limited capacity and can hold a small amount of information for a short duration, like remembering a phone number for a few seconds. Long-term memory, on the other hand, has a potentially vast capacity and can store memories for years or even a lifetime.
The capacity to remember varies between episodic memories (personal experiences) and semantic memories (facts and general knowledge). Episodic memories tend to be more specific to personal experiences and can be more susceptible to forgetting over time. Semantic memories, which include general knowledge and skills, may have a more enduring quality.
There is no specific percentage to quantify how much of life people can remember because it's highly individual and influenced by various factors. Some people might have an exceptional ability to recall details from their past, while others may struggle to remember certain events.
It's worth noting that memory is not like a video recording; it's a reconstructive process. As time passes, memories can become distorted or forgotten, and individuals might remember the gist of an event rather than every detail.
Research into human memory is ongoing, and scientists continue to explore the intricacies of how memory works and how it varies between individuals.