2x2 or 3x3 Grid - Which one is faster & more efficient to encode & retrieve random information?

General Memory Chat
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I have to encode random objects and have two grid options to choose from i.e. 2x2 ( can store 4 objects in 1 grid) and 3x3 (can store 9 objects) then which one would be -

  1. More faster to encode all the information?
  2. More efficient in terms of organisation of the information?
  3. More robust retrieval?

It would be great if you could corroborate your answer with real life experiences with these 2 grid systems (like what’s your average speed on each grid or any other relevant experience) .

Which one does expert memory athletes use?
What’s the more efficient way of navigating these grids ?

Any relevant information on these grid systems would be helpful.

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@Josar, grids are fun and seem like a good mnemonic device as people throughout history have used them in various ways. They all are based on a static geometric layout that has no relevance unless you pin the layout to something. You could use the grid navigation as a rule to follow the locations around a room or you could associate the individual locations with other meaningful images like a peg list.

There’s so many options that have a greater influence that just the grid. But the simple answers in my mind what I’ll try and give you. Grids don’t provide speed. That comes with practice. Grids are structures. Organization of information is in design not in execution. How many categories do you have, how many topics are necessary? And robust retrieval has to do with how well your associations are made. If you have an empty grid, there’s no cue to associate with.

Probably the best usage of the grid for me is for extemporaneous speaking when you place visual images in the corners of your practice room and then move that grid to your speaking room. I doesn’t matter how many locations you have up until you get to a number that overwhelms your mind in one visual. Four is good, nine is a struggle. That’s based on Miller’s law where nine is the upper limit for short-term memory. Beyond that, you are in esoteric territory and not practical advice.

Doug

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@Josh could you please help me with this one given your vast experience? Thanks

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You could look up the people who score the highest on binary events, and ask them about their systems. A lot of them are here in the forum (use the search box).

I think most (all?) of the Mongolian competitors use PAO, but that’s just a guess. I think other people there use 9-digits chunks from a 3-digit decimal system (possibly grids), Ben System (10-digit), or binary grids.

From names on that list, Lance told me he uses binary grids. Ola Kåre Risa said he uses the 10-digit Ben System and memorized the images with Anki. Shijir said he uses PAO for cards, but I don’t know about his binary system. I’m not sure if it was mentioned in this video: Why the Shadow System? Shijir Bat-Enkh memorized a deck in 12.74 seconds. He used PAO

Here’s a page about the various techniques:

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