The Epilogue summarizes the main points in the preceding six chapters. It emphasizes the reconstructive model of memory and how our capacity to update its content makes it adaptive and promotes flexible thought and behavior. It explores possible future forms of memory modification and specifically how a completely artificial memory system might influence how we conceive of ourselves and whether it would cause a change in this conception. The Epilogue also notes how our understanding of memory has expanded from one of private subjective information to one of public objective information about our lives and how limited we are in controlling it.