Modern History Gap
Wednesday, September 13th, 02006 
Storing information is easier than ever, but it’s also never been so easy to lose it — forever. We could end up with a modern history gap.
By Charles Piller, LA Times Staff Writer
September 13, 2006
Carter G. Walker remembers the day her memories vanished.
After sending an e-mail to her aunt, the Montana freelance writer stepped away from the computer to make a grilled-cheese sandwich. She returned a few minutes later to a black screen. Data recovery experts did what they could, but the hard drive was beyond saving — as were the precious moments Walker had entrusted to it.
“All my pregnancy pictures are gone. The video from my first daughter’s first couple of days is gone,” Walker said. “It was like a piece of my brain was cut out.”
Walker’s digital amnesia has become a frustratingly common part of life. Computers make storing personal letters, family pictures and home movies more convenient than ever. But those captured moments can disappear with a few errant mouse clicks — or for no apparent reason at all.
