In line with the other comment on this post: I also am classified as “brilliant” by people and IQ tests. My country gave me an award for being a great inventor. But my memory is worse than anyone I know.
I can’t remember the lyrics to any songs, or the lines from any movies, or what I’m doing this week. I don’t think it’s a strong hypothesis.
My wife has a nearly eidetic memory, so marrying her was a game changer for counteracting mine :)
The things you list not remembering may just be a different focus. I was always amazed by how many movie details other people remembered until I realised they rewatched those movies many times and I never rewatched anything.
Similarly, being engrossed in tasks today (or rabidly learning/reading, as many HN readers do, as long as it's not the link being discussed) might make you not focus much on next week's calendar.
How do you complement each other in memory? I guess I can imagine, but it would be cool to know.
“Hey any idea where my Kathmandu coat is?” “Yeah you left it under a box in your office 2 months ago, the day we were in a hurry because we wanted to go see Joe”
—
“Hey do you remember where I put my glasses?” “2 sets at the office and your other set is upstairs next to the toothbrushes”
—
At the grocery store: “Do we have apples in the fridge?” “Yeah, 4 left”