I used to have a graveyard of old computer parts and cables and finally got rid of most of it…But I still lug around hard drives laptops and phones from 10+ years ago whenever I move. I’m way too paranoid to trash them with all their unencrypted data sitting there, way too lazy to properly wipe them with DBAN or whatever, and way too scared to try and melt them with thermite, which is really the only way to be sure. I don’t really know what to do so I’ll probably just hold onto them for fifty years or so and let someone else deal with it one way or another.

Since the comments all appear to be juvenile Reddit style jokes, here’s TFA (the frickin article: https://futurism.com/scientists-selectively-erased-memories-in-snails-are-we-next

Note, I’m not a scientist.

As I suspected it appears they tortured the snails somehow (my guess is electric shock) to create traumatic memories. This has been done with caterpillars I think to see if they retain memories after turning into butterflies and they do, despite basically turning into primordial goop in the cocoon. They do, and it’s tested by seeing if they retain aversions to certain areas of their cages that are electrified.

Then something about enzymes created which associate memory with pain and being able to target them.

Pretty cool, and I for one definitely have a few traumas I’d like erased.

My advice is to live your life as best as you can without worrying too much about things you can’t control. Try and build a life around yourself that’ll help you be happy through it all, regardless of what happens. Enjoy your 20’s. 30’s are good too and 40’s don’t suck either.

To paraphrase Sun Tzu: do not choose a path to victory. Instead, choose a strategy such that all paths lead to victory.

It also helps to remember the vast majority of users are children under the age of about 24. That really puts things in perspective.