What can I say, I hope I will be updating this often.
My goal is to be able to combine the PAO system with the loci method, and be able to apply the results to scientific material. Chemistry (analytic, organic, biochemistry, etc), Physics, maybe even Calculus.
With that in mind, I started to create a persons list for 1-100. This began 2 days ago, and so far I have learned the faces for 1-20, although instant recall is a few days practice away. (by the way, the list is only ~75% complete. It looks like I am going to have to change the consonants I use for 2, because what is missing is mostly the 2xs, and the x2s. More on that later today, maybe you can help me)
As far as I know, this is the only journal here about ordinary uses of techniques, and not some intense program someone already familiar with them starts, in order to enter deck card competitions and such. If you know of any similar journals like mine, please share. I think I could use the inspiration, as well as the practical example of how I should expect my progress to progress (:p)
I have a question for you. Of all possible systems, why did you settle for the PAO?
Also, can you give an example how you would apply your version of PAO to, let’s say chemistry?
Hi. Well, I don’t know if I will assign actions and objects to the persons yet, but for now it really seemed cool to have a list of 100 persons at instant recall and connection with other stuff i want to know. I probably don’t sound really clear. But leaving this aside, my counter-question to you is: I don’t think I am missing any majorly different systems out there, so there is no issue if my choice for PAO was kinda arbitrary even. Am I wrong?
As to how I would apply it, well that is a bit more complicated to describe (but not to implement, as I have read). First of all, I am kinda used to the terminology already, so I won’t have to use gimmicks to memorize HNO3 or even organic molecules of 10-15 carbon atoms.
But a more general way of oragnizing the material in my head and make all the possible interconnections happen, and all the other stuff you all mention is possible here, that is what I want. And, most of all, the ability to memorize stuff faster. I read that with implementing mnemonic techniques, one is able to absorb information easier.
Please, if you think I am mistaken and that mnemonics applied this way is a dead end or whatever, tell me so.
It’s not so much about reading encouraging replies, or frequent updates, as for an internal need to connect with people who have done, of are doing, what I am doing. And I am not training to memorize decks, or transcendental numbers or coin stacks. Is it really so hard to meet such people in a memory forum?
Sigh…
Anyway, I will try to continue noting my progress here, although I can already see how it has been slowing down. I barely know my faces for numbers 1-20… And I still haven’t connected the numbers to the Periodic Table elements, and I still don’t know much about loci… and the main reason for those things (or maybe my main rationalization) is that I am “afraid” I’ll learn something the wrong way and then I will have to do extra effort to re-learn the right way.
Whatever, I don’t know what to expect of this thread now… I will just keep ranting here from time to time I guess… I hope something will have changed in a week from now, or else the future is one without memory training. Stupid lack of proper guidelines…
I suggest making images for 00-99, and a separate set of images for 0-9. Mine are based on the shapes of the numbers:
0 = soccer ball
1 = candle
2 = swan
3 = butterfly
4 = flag
5 = hook
6 = elephant
7 = boomerang
8 = snowman
9 = balloon on a string
(These are common in many memory books.)
Once you have your 110 images, it will be easier to start memorizing the periodic table.
The reason for extra images for 0-9 is for when you are memorizing 3-digit numbers. I think there is less chance of error when memorizing a number like 123 if you memorize it as 12-3 than if you memorize it as 01-23.
For example, if you come across a number like 5.123, trying to memorize it as 05.0123 won’t work…
Have you listened to the audiobook, Quantum Memory Power by Dominic O’Brien? I highly recommend that because he walks the listener through the method of loci.
I wouldn’t worry about learning the method of loci the wrong way. I think it’s good to just jump in. If you discover a problem, you can change that method later without problems.
Hey Barcode, I understand your plight mate. I make use of memory techniques exclusively in my studies and work and I’d gladly help you out if you need any help.
Make no mistake: This forum is alive.
But I’m really tired of answering this type of questions. Those people who make these queries are not here to connect with others or contribute and share ideas to help others. They just come here and want us to give them a specific method to learn this or that type of subject. They think that they’ll get a quick fix guide to help them memorize, without any efforts on their part. They don’t even take their time to search or go through old posts to see whether their queries have been answered.
And when I do explain the methods and techniques I use for my studies and that there are work behind them, they just disappear and don’t ever come back here.
If you go through the introductions, you’ll find most posts are like that.
I don’t think it is worth my time to waste 10 mins, write a detailed post and then have the person disappear, without even a “Thank You”.
Here is one example:
If you are really interested, then I’d love to help you out and share any techniques I know with you. Keep in mind though that there is some work behind them.
I don’t have time to write more at the moment, but I will do so later in the day. btw, Yan, first of all, I completely understand what you’re saying. Second of all, after reading some old posts in the beginning, it was you that I was kinda hoping will be active and help me if possible. So, learning that you have been kind like a silent observer so far is kinda funny and cool ^^
You keep on asking for motivation.
Motivation IMO comes from small successes.
What you are telling us is that you work on a big 100-person system.
I will admit that this is very powerfull, but it is also a lot of work before you get to see any results.
And even then it needs work to keep all 100 persons online in your brain.
Why not start simple and build on your small successes until you have the big system ready?
Let me give an example how I work with this.
I live in the centre of Amsterdam. Parking is a nightmare, so I make a conscious effort to remeber where I parked my car. Today I parked in some street in front of number 122.
Now, I said in a previous thread I do not have a 3rd degree major System ready.
But, I like to make things up as I go along.
So I thought: 122 = TNN = TeNeN (toes in English).
I saw my car covered in toes and that was all I needed to remember where I parked.
My point is - start using this and the motivation will come from your small successes.
Also, start testing all systems and find out what works FOR YOU.
Instead of deciding which system to use, why not test them all out and see what works best?
This prevents you from asking these questions, because you know your brain and therefore you know what works best FOR YOU.
That is the reason I cannot answer this question for you.
I know what works for me and which systems works better then others (major system works better for me than Dominic for example). And you need to find out which system works best for your brain.
You will not. All systems are based on coding infoirmation and then creating some sort of association.
OK, I know I’ve been long gone, but make no mistake, it wasn’t because I decided I won’t try to improve. It is a bit dissapointing for me to realize I won’t be able to update as often as I had hoped, but this doesn’t mean that I won’t make the effort to learn all the things you do here.
At first I got really frustrated, and you had a sample of this frustration in my posts above. It got worse and I gave up for about a month. But then I got a kindle, and one day I was reflecting on the forum here and the memory and all that… And then it took me about 5 seconds to download the USM book on the kindle and start reading. I can’t claim any results yet, but the training schedule looks really solid, and in accordance with most of what is discussed here. I have been on it for the past two weeks, practicing daily and all.
I won’t be posting daily on the journal, but you can surely expect questions from me. I wanted to wait a bit longer before posting, and do this once I actually have a question, but yesterday’s TED talk was about memory championships, and it seemed like a sign
