Long-term memory may never be stable
"... memories remain malleable, not by repeated reinstantiations [...] but instead via dynamic routes of proactive and non-linear consolidation: memories change, their trajectory is flexible and reversible, and their physical basis develops continuously according to anticipated demands."
Roüast NM, Schönauer M (2022): Continuously changing memories: a framework for proactive and non-linear consolidation. Trends in Neurosciences DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.10.013.
Long-term memory may never be stable
@MolemanPeter It is interesting that even with such dynamic changes to long-term memories, especially their vulnerability during recall, we tend to perceive that our memories are stable across time. I wonder if such is related to perceptual constancy, which may be a basic feature as to how our brain operates?
Long-term memory may never be stable
@hkl The article appears to state that memories are not especially vulnerable during recall. I think percieved stabilitiy of many functions is due to our perception of a stable ego/self, which is an illusion. So it is imo a feature of our subjective experience and not how our brain works.
Long-term memory may never be stable
@MolemanPeter My understanding is that with memory recall it undergoes a reconsolidation process to be stored back. This makes it particularly vulnerable to modification by the context in which recall happens. I think the main idea of the article of the dynamics of long-term memory rides on this concept.
The stability of ego/self is something I tend to believe is also a function of the brain because it relies on memories that are stored about oneself. I do agree with your opinion that it may be considered an "illusion", especially because memories are not fixed constructs. Thanks for initiating such an interesting discussion 
Long-term memory may never be stable
@MolemanPeter I agree. It'll be fascinating to eventually understand how we perceive stability when everything is changing. Definitely, made my day thinking about all this
Long-term memory may never be stable
@hkl To be honest: I have to study the article yet in detail. I think everything (we discuss here) is a function of the brain, but the mechanism may be (and is imo for this function) quite different from what we subjectively experience as stable. I think we mostly agree. Thx for the discussion. This makes mastodon valuable.