Memory Consolidation Flattens the Temporal Shape of User Facts

The paper introduces the concept of aspectual flattening, where long‑term memory systems convert conversational statements into concise notes that omit temporal cues. Using the LAPSE benchmark, the authors show that several memory writer models consistently flatten progressive statements while preserving simple‑present ones, and this asymmetry persists across multiple configurations. Experiments reveal that the loss of temporal information can alter how downstream readers assess the validity of a fact and influence their decision‑making, sometimes leading them to act without further verification.