Jordan Peterson on how memory works

When we see something we are remembering the object, more than experiencing it. It's why we can not ... not read a word once we see it. Or not understand speech once we learned a language. It's impossible to put understanding on pause.

This leads us to the realization that our perception is actually a narrative building exercise more than a real & authentic investigation of reality.

Peterson is heavily influenced by Jungian ideas of narrative, but similar conclusions come from Buddhism, Taoism or Zen.