This article commemorates the 100th anniversary of the infamous case of the 'Memoryless Man of Collegno,' a mysterious individual found in Turin in 1926 who claimed to have no memory of his identity. This situation divided Italy into two factions, each believing that the man was either Mario Bruneri or Giulio Canella. It was a bizarre case that created challenges for families, courts, and newspapers of the time.

The author, writing in a letter format to the director of Il Giornale, suggests that the memorylessness exhibited by the man might now be reflective of modern Italy. They argue that the country as a whole appears to have lost its historical memory, cultural roots, and the values that underpinned Western civilization. This collective amnesia, they argue, poses a danger, as forgetting who we are also risks losing sight of where we are headed in the future.

The author further contemplates whether this forgetfulness is unintentional or a more convenient choice for society. By neglecting the past, we can dodge confronting uncomfortable truths and historical responsibilities. The analogy to the 'Memoryless Man' suggests a warning about the implications of a society that does not remember its history, emphasizing the need for collective memory in fostering a coherent future.