--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The public has a short memory. That's why…" description: "\"“The public has a short memory. That's why all these big stars do these crazy, terrible things and two years later they're back in the biz, you know. '..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/758/steve-martin-593_memory_the-public-has-a-short-memory-that-s-why_2468593.jpg" --- # The public has a short memory. That's why all these big… ![“The public has a short memory. That's why all these big stars do these crazy, terrible things and two years later they're back in the biz, you know. 'Cause the public has a short memory. Let me give you a little test, okay? This is my thesis -- the public has a short memory and, like-- How many…” quote by Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/758/steve-martin-593_memory_the-public-has-a-short-memory-that-s-why_2468593.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/758/steve-martin-593_memory_the-public-has-a-short-memory-that-s-why_2468593.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/758/steve-martin-593_memory_the-public-has-a-short-memory-that-s-why_2468593.jpg) > ““The public has a short memory. That's why all these big stars do these crazy, terrible things and two years later they're back in the biz, you know. 'Cause the public has a short memory. Let me give you a little test, okay? This is my thesis -- the public has a short memory and, like-- How many people remember, a couple of years ago, when the Earth blew up? How many people? See? So few people remember. And you would think that something like that, people would remember. But NOOO! You don't remember that? The Earth blew up and was completely destroyed? And we escaped to this planet on the giant Space Ark? Where have you people been? And the government decided not to tell the stupider people 'cause they thought that it might affect-- \[dawning realization, looks around\] Ohhhh! Okay! Uh, let's move on!”” [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People quickly forget major events, allowing repeat scandals and false narratives to resurface. **In simple terms:** The public forgets, so bad deeds get forgiven. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge collective amnesia. Themes memory media public perception accountability Mood cynical critical reflective Type observational commentary When to use this quote - political campaigns - celebrity scandals - historical education - media literacy Key Concepts cognitive bias collective forgetting media cycles Questions to Reflect On - How does media shape collective memory? - What mechanisms can preserve critical historical awareness? A Different Perspective Short-term memory limits hinder lasting societal lessons. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) [Short memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-memory/) ## Related quotes > [If I have any lasting worth, it will be because I have tried to make people remember what the Earth is meant to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/if-i-have-any-lasting-worth-it-will-be-because-i-have-tried-to-make/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [“The wind had blown off, leaving a loud, bright night, with wings beating in the treas and a persistent organ sound as the full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/the-wind-had-blown-off-leaving-a-loud-bright-night-with-wings-beating/) [F. 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It keeps things for you, or hides things from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/your-memory-is-a-monster-you-forget-it-doesn-t-it-simply-files-things/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [My first Olympics memory was watching Haile Gebrselassie in Sydney 2000. His sprint finish to defend his title really moved me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-farah/my-first-olympics-memory-was-watching-haile-gebrselassie-in-sydney/) [Mo Farah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-farah/) > [That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/that-old-man-dies-prematurely-whose-memory-records-no-benefits/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [My greatest memories as a kid were playing sports with my dad and watching sports with my dad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-teixeira/my-greatest-memories-as-a-kid-were-playing-sports-with-my-dad-and/) [Mark Teixeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-teixeira/) > [What’s the use of remembering anything? If it was unpleasant it was unpleasant and if it was pleasant it’s over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-dundy/what-s-the-use-of-remembering-anything-if-it-was-unpleasant-it-was/) [Elaine Dundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-dundy/) > [Always remember a little thing can change everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/always-remember-a-little-thing-can-change-everything/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If God knows me I will never forget him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trunxbeats/if-god-knows-me-i-will-never-forget-him/) Trunxbeats [Browse all 12,248 Memory quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The public has a short memory. That's why all these big stars do these crazy, terrible things and two years later they're back in the biz, you know. 'Cause the public has a short memory. Let me give you a little test, okay? This is my thesis -- the public has a short memory and, like-- How many people remember, a couple of years ago, when the Earth blew up? How many people? See? So few people remember. And you would think that something like that, people would remember. But NOOO! You don't remember that? The Earth blew up and was completely destroyed? And we escaped to this planet on the giant Space Ark? Where have you people been? And the government decided not to tell the stupider people 'cause they thought that it might affect-- [dawning realization, looks around] Ohhhh! Okay! 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