> I look at it this way, how many have been driving on a long trip only to glance in the rear view mirror and see a bridge behind you that you do not truly remember driving under?
Attention and memory formation/retention are not the same thing. The mind tends to discard detailed memories of routine tasks that have been mastered. If I ask you to tie your laces, would you remember which hand touched the laces first? It doesn't mean you weren't paying attention - only that it wasn't memorable.
That's an interesting thought. I will say that non-memorable is not the same as non-important. "Did I drive under a bridge" isn't the same as "did I leave the oven turned on" or "did I lock the front door".
Attention and memory formation/retention are not the same thing. The mind tends to discard detailed memories of routine tasks that have been mastered. If I ask you to tie your laces, would you remember which hand touched the laces first? It doesn't mean you weren't paying attention - only that it wasn't memorable.