Madeleines and memories - the Proust Effect
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Have you ever had a far-off memory triggered by a taste of something? A whiff of a scent? A reminiscence brought back from a remote corner of your mind, almost forgotten?
Congratulations: you had what is called in French "une madeleine de Proust".
Cognitive psychologists call it "the Proust phenomenon".
That's because Marcel Proust -- that famous French writer -- gave the most resounding account of this, of involuntary memory.
He recounted in the first volume of his (gigantic) novel "A La Recherche du Temps Perdu" (In Search of Lost Time) about how, when his mother brought him a madeleine and tea, he was propelled back into the past when his aunt used to do the same when she cared for him while he was ill in bed.
It was a powerful moment for him.
On a technical level, it's all about how the brain's hippocampus - responsible for short and long-term memory -- is especially keyed into our senses, particularly taste and smell.
But for me, it's the very art of exploring this Proust phenomenon that resonates in me. That's how I see the world.
While a madeleine de Proust doesn't come across often, you can at least replicate the literary set-up.
You can do that by visiting Paris and picking up a madeleine at a pâtisserie.... or you can cook your own madeleines, wherever you are.
That's what I did -- prepared my own batch of hot madeleines, to bite into with a pot of tea....
*** Shot on an iPhone, edited on an iPad with LumaFusion, animation through Procreate ***
+++ Music via:
Artlist.io
"Reminiscing" by Yotam Ishay
"Flower Duet" by Hawkins
"Raise Your Glass (To Another Year)" by Ziggy
"Little Eyes" by Yehezkel Raz
"Finding My Memories" by Yehezkel Raz
"Coriolis" by REW
"Black Cat" by Vicki McCrone
"Broken Radiance" by Kyle Preston
"Tempted" by The Hazelnuts
"Rohi" by Randy Sharp
incompetech.com
Magic Escape Room by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons...
Musopen.org
"Pizzicato" (piano arrangement) by Sylvia
Licenced under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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+++ Additional stock images
Pexels (copyright free, free to use: www.pexels.com...)
- the timelapse night sky by Dmitry Varennikov
- the old photos piled on each other by Roman Odintsov
- the seahorse by Rachel Claire
The Internet Archive for the computer images of the brain (presented in my video for educational purpose, with a minimal 27 seconds used, of original source file of academic video with a 27min33sec runtime)
- "The Human Brain: A Dynamic View of Its Structures and Organization" (1975)
This is one of your most insightful stories… and so well done. I was hooked on reading Proust in college… where I discovered that the secret to getting through all those words is to read faster! I find reading Proust is like water-skiing… you have to get up to speed to make it work. But once you arrive, it’s heaven. Thanks so much for this artful video. I think you have a future doing videos about the Arts. ❤
That's a great way of putting it: "reading Proust is like water-skiing… you have to get up to speed to make it work". That does ring true!
J’adore vos vidéos et votre façon de dépeindre Paris, la France et les français ! 😍
Merci Sara, c'est très encourageant de l'entendre
Brilliant. As a side bar... "I've been dreaming of Proust all in my bed and he speaks to me in my sleep. He takes me to the other side with his madeleines and his friends." Friday Night by Beth Orton
That's cool! I'll have a listen to some of her stuff
One question, my impression of France showed French always prefer coffee over tea. How often do you drink tea ?
There are also many salons de thé in France. For me, it's coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon
France and French never cease to amaze me. See Aida, you have a philosopher inside you.
France has philosophy, art and gastronomy running through its veins -- and mine
Well done! There is an interesting book called "Proust, the Neuroscientist," by Jonah Lehrer. Proust's observations and representation of the character of memory included some phenomena that were later validated by scientific study.
My spoken French is not good, but, over the past several years, I have read many of the classics of French literature in French. I'm hoping this will give me insight into French culture and the French mind. This makes me want to put Proust next on the menu.
You have no idea how glad I am that someone clued into this video and got it! Yes, Proust and neuroscience is at the heart of it, and I think it fascinating how literature was the pioneer in this field of study. It's life following art.
@@amusingaida You would definitely enjoy Jonah Lehrer's book. I'll have to give credit to my much smarter wife, who passes on her reading list to me. I wouldn't have discovered it on my own.
Great video! I just finished Proust. My mum gave it to me for Christmas in 2006 and it has taken me almost 20 years to tackle it. It was life changing, life affirming.
Kudos to you for making it through that!
This was delightful and beautiful.
Why thanks. What a lovely comment to leave
@@amusingaida I don't know how to leave a heart react, but 💝
@@Inbaroush 💝
I'm living back in the same streets I walked as a child. The memories flood my thoughts everytime i go out. I feel stuck in the past.
Liked & subscribed ❤
Your own madeleine de proust, all the time! Thanks for the sub + like!
Bravo 👏such a captivating subject.
Thanks so much - for watching and for the lovely comment
This is so interesting and I do love that little corner of your house at the end. I'm going to have to try a madeleine now 🍵
Merci. Are you going to cook some?
It's been ages since I complimented you on one of your videos. I am lazy,. I am unimportant in the grand scheme of things, and so I can't imgine that my comment, made or unmade, could possibly have an effect on inspiring you to break through your recent silence here; but I miss you. I hope to meet you again soon - rick
You'd be surprised! There's no money in this for me, basically, so I just do videos for the fun of it, to see what I can do. So these kinds of comments are the fuel to keep going. I'm planning out my next one.... as I'm away from Paris for a bit, I thought I'd wait. But be assured that I'm working on a new one, still
Bravo
Merci
You just turned me on to Proust
Thanks 🤔😊
It'll be a lifelong reference for you, I'm betting
Oh, your best ever. Keep musing!
Thank you! It means a lot to hear that a video is appreciated
I love it 😻 I am sure your Madeline's
are better of the bakery .
Thank you so much 💝
Hugs from Utah .
💝💝💝💝💝
Thanks. And actually.... my madeleines were pretty darn good, even if I say so myself. Better than any I've bought in Paris so far....
I love your videos! So calm and descriptive. I go to Paris twice a year , I live in Sweden. Thank you!
Thanks Vivian. I'll try for some less calm ones in the future!
libanaise? ta madeleine ?
❤️❤️ thank you so much. ❤️ I just found you - love it all. ❤️ your answering questions that I think about. ❤ Please continue!!
I'm truly happy that my videos hit the mark and you're enjoying them. And if you have any questions you think I'm in a position to tackle in a future video let me know!
@@amusingaida thank you so much! I get sucked in to your little world and forget I'm watching a video on utube - that you create. When it ends, I realize, holy crap, this isn't, "HBO or Netflix". haaaaa. I plan on coming to Paris for the first time in the next year or so. I'm studying everything as much as I can. :) I LOVE TO WALK, and I can't find anyone on utube that shows actual walking along the Seine from Shakespear Books to the Eiffel Tower. I would love to see that. AND, public bathrooms!!! I'm a professional photographer, and loved seeing your equipment, etc. I haven't really ventured into video yet, not enough hard drive on my computer, :) I wonder, are you a professional writer, actress ?? Looking forward to seeing more and hearing more. Hugs and Peace and thanks for being yourself and your sweet energy!!!! www.JeanLannenImages.com
I am SO enjoying your videos. Merci ❤ very fortunate to have visited Paris twice but your videos now preserve my legs lol 😂
Don't preserve them! Get out and enjoy the little corners and streets of Paris. It doesn't matter how long I've lived in this city, there's always something new that gets my attention. The journey here is more important than the destination. Thanks for tuning in!
@amusingaida long way from Melbourne 🤪 those legs are older lol
@@ElaIEO Yeah, OK. In that case, I'm really happy my lens brought a little bit of Paris' splendor to your TV/phone/iPad. One day, I'd love to do a video on Melbourne, I've heard good things about it.
Apparement, vous aimez les enfants.
Je suis enfant, donc bien sûr
Hello! I really love your channel and just subscribed. This video is amazing and says so much. I love how you tell stories and your editing and production are excellent. I have a channel here too about fountain pens, journaling, inks, and self expression. I also do a Live interview piece. I would love to have you on as a guest some time soon, if you are interested. I could do it for your timezone on a weekend sometime; a nice discussion about story telling, nostalgia, and the romance of places and things. I thought it would be a nice way to introduce our subscribers. No pressure at all, but you would absolutely wonderful for my subscribers to get to know. Let me know if you would be interested and no pressure! Keep doing your thing. Kind regards!
Hi Hemingway, I don't know much about fountain pens (apart from writing with them as a school kid). But a joint live thing could be fun, on those topics you mentioned. Get in touch via my email and we'll see what can be done, and when.
Sounds Brilliant. Thank you. I’ll reach out soon via email. All the best.
Well done! Now - after seeing (also) this vlog - I want madeleines! :)))
There is only one smell that reminds me of my childhood. And just like in the case of Proust, it's about a some kind of home made pastry in some mix with the specific (and pleasant) smell of a house where a distinguished lady served me that sweet. It's just that I've encountered that mix of smells very rarely. Maybe two or three times in my entire life.
But there is something else that quickly "teleports" me back to my childhood: The Snow!
My childhood winters were loaded with abundant snow, and that made my childhood even more precious.
Btw, real fact! During communism, Romanians were told about Proust's work in the radio show "Theses and Antitheses in Paris", on Radio Europa Liberă - a radio station that operated in Munich, it was banned in Romania and on which Ceaușescu attempted a terrorist attack with a bomb executed by the infamous Carlos the Jackal.
Our childhood triggers -- powerful things! And snow I do remember from childhood too, though I imagine you had much more of it.
You're very good.
DD
Wow! You outdo yourself with each video. Wonderful combination of info and imagery...and so very genuine.
Really? It means a LOT to hear that! I look at my videos and think I just fell short of what I had in my head, what I wanted to do. It's great to hear that my approach to UA-cam is resonating with you.
So interesting! Brava! :D
Merci !
@@amusingaida I find madeleines pretty often in regular boulangeries, rather than fancier places :)
PS - You remind me a bit of Italian actress Gaia Girace (have you read - or watched the series - My Brilliant Friend/L'Amie prodigieuse ?)
I asked in a few boulangeries, but they were keener on selling financiers. I did find them elsewhere. But for some reason I thought they would be everywhere.
PS I had a look at Gaia Girace -- she's much younger! But pretty
Aida I was deeply touched by this video. Your openness and deep reflection is refreshing and it was warm to my heart. I have had the opportunity to visit France several times and love both the culture and the people.
Thank you ❤. A very clever video. I look forward to watching your next one. X
Thanks Glenda, that's a very encouraging comment that can only buoy me as I plan out future videos. I much appreciate it.
@amusingaida, I thoroughly enjoyed your interview with @HemingwayJones in January! I subscribed and started watching your back catalog. I do enjoy your storytelling style. I got a kick out of your madeleines baking - more, please!
I look forward to a future interview with Hemingway.
Cheers from the suburbs of Washington, DC!
More cooking? I'd love to do that.... I might do more cooking videos. Good idea. And me too, I thoroughly enjoyed Hemingway's interview with me. If he wants me back on, I'll be there.
Great video! I just finished Proust. My mum gave it to me for Christmas in 2006 and it has taken me almost 20 years to tackle it. It was life changing, life affirming.
Wow, that's a dauting read you got through there. A huge, huge novel. So big you almost need to restart it just after you've finished it.....
OH MY GOODNESS , I love your channel, I love the insight in this video, as we have recently moved to Paris its beyond fascinating to have this deep and meaningful understanding. Thank you x
That's great, if I've been able to help in some way. Paris is so varied, and personal experiences differ, but I hope these videos offer a bit of insight. Let's face it: Paris is endlessly fascinating!
So true !...there is nothing like that in you tube.
Felicitations pour votre anglais! Assez rare pour une francaise 😅❤
Merci - sincèrement !
I shall bring my copy of Proust on the plane with me for my 50th birthday trip to Paris in February! And, while there, I will dip a fresh, warm madeleine in hot tea.
If you bring his entire novel, you might go over your cabin bag allowance
@@amusingaida Haha, just volume 1
J'adore vos vidéos. Il y a une légèreté dans le ton, très agréable, et on sent que vous aimez Paris. Votre vidéo sur les différents arrondissements de la capitale était très instructive, même pour un Français qui ne met que ponctuellement les pieds dans cette ville. Vous avez du talent.
Merci, vraiment : merci. Je suis très contente de lire ça, et davantage encouragée à en faire d'autres
Aida thank you for sharing your lovely self and your experience of the Proust moments in your life as a French person. I really enjoyed your perspective. The Madeleines looked delicious! Do you have a favourite flavour of tea? I look forward to more insights and musings about your Parisian life. Sending warm regards from Australia.
Proust's tea was actually a lime herbal tea (infusion). Me, I'm pretty happy with Earl Grey (no sugar, no cream)
I never knew the term "involuntary memory" but I've experienced them, mine are triggered by a songs that take me back to a particular time though rather than a taste.
Love your videos.
It's powerful, isn't it?
Absolutely love your videos - and this one was a particular favourite
Wow, so happy you liked it. It was a personal one for me. Maybe for other people too?
C'est l'une des meilleures vidéos que vous ayez faites. Excellent travail de caméra. Merci Pagan
Merci ! C'est une vidéo de coeur.....
Just returned like one hour ago. A few days in paris is a great idea. It always is
A few days? What about a few weeks? I hope you had a lot of time sitting in cafés
@@amusingaida actually too little. visited more than sat, but Brasserie LIPP was one. and regular spot is always chocolate at Le Chat Bleu
@@damiaanspatrick2050 very nice
À la recherche du temps perdu by Marcel Proust
Exactement (plus précisément : Do côté de chez Swann)
I LOVE PROUST..AND YOU OF COURSE..
Proust is a vertiginous writer
@@amusingaidabut nothing is like Eliphas Levi's books!..an incredible man from Paris..
Suggest one I might start with?
@@amusingaida "Les Paradoxes de la Haute Science"
@@eliphaslevibenzahed1549 Thanks, I might give it a try
Timely video, as I am just about to have another go (first was years ago while studying) at the first volume in English of “A la recherche…” / In search of… , more as a writer-person and budding Francophile than as a visitor to France (though that will happen sooner or later). It’s fascinating when literature can affect a country’s thinking although that does happen a lot more than we realise, maybe? Suddenly remembering the scene in Transporter where the inspector talks of madelines and Proust.
Good luck with that! (And it was mentioned in The Transporter? Not my kind of movie, but maybe I'll check out the scene. Thanks for the tip.)
@@amusingaida Thanks! And yeah it’s a silly action film fun once in a while :) but just the first part.
@@accentontheoff I like some silly films... sometimes
@@amusingaida That’s good 😊 What else do you enjoy. Is your French / European film knowledge huge. Mine has lots of gaps.
@@accentontheoff Mine too, I have to admit. I let my UGC Carte (for unlimited films) lapse and I need to get back into it....