Here’s where I think mnemonic techniques can pay off big in social life.
The idea of a “conversation toolbox” is that you take a peg list, like maybe the characters from your PAO system or maybe just the stations in a memory palace, and you place various things in it that may be needed in conversations.
Then if you ever need a resource for a conversation, you can pull it off your peg list instead of just trying to think of something.
Examples:
100 jokes
100 personal anecdotes
100 quotes
10 synonyms for 10 overused words/phrases (e.g. stop using the word “awesome” for everything)
Personally, I resolved to create a good “joke toolbox” about a year or two ago. I realized that every time I was called upon to give a good joke, I ended up always telling the same 10 stupid “dumb blonde” jokes over and over. So with a bit of work, I created a list of 100 of my favorite jokes.
Now, to think of a good joke, all I have to do is think of a number between 0 and 99. Extremely easy trigger.
It’s already done amazing things for my social value and confidence. People love it.
Has anyone else had success with anything like this? Or are there any other topics besides those listed above that you think would be of great social value?
I feel like this is one of the best “quick wins” you can get with mnemonics. It pays off very quickly.
It does take maintenance, but not a ton. Jokes are fun to review!
As far as access goes, I don’t have to stand and stare. If someone challenges me to deliver “joke 34” and I can’t remember 34, I just tell them I’ll give them 35 instead.
I can also easily replace jokes if I find jokes that I like better. So my toolbox continues to evolve.
Real quick: using mnemonics for conversation is a great idea - kudos to you Timothy. If the goal is to be able to hold conversations more easily, I think you may be able to improve on this idea. Instead of trying to memorize jokes or stories etc for you to retell, you may want to try memorizing things about other people. Here’s a universal principle of human nature: people like to feel important and as a result, like to talk about themselves. Don’t focus so much on what you want to say, but instead on what you can get someone else to say by making them feel important. For that matter you don’t have to memorize anything, just be interested in people. The book How to Win Friends and Influence People is the best book by far on this topic. You’ll be light years ahead of most people socially if you can master this.
Almasdar: Concurred on all your major points; that Carnegie classic is one of my favorite books and I recommend it often. People should definitely start there! What I’m talking about is going a level beyond, once you have that foundation.
I find your idea of a mnemonic toolbox for conversations quite useful - can you give me an example how you memorize those lists, for instance the anecdotes? I imagine it would probably take me about 5 rooms with 20 pegs each to fill my mind palace with these alone - if I included all of those 4 categories probably at 20 rooms or at least 10 huge ones and that’s a lot of space. Do you use an easier method?
Anyway a great idea even on a smaller scale.
I find that just telling an anecdote a few times, always refining it based on how well it goes down with your listeners, is memorable enough in and of itself. You can definitely used a memory palace for each individual story, but sometimes the stories just memorize themselves. Make sure every individual story is compelling and gets a good reaction from your audience, and you should be able to remember it just fine.
For me, the important thing is to be able to recall the right story at the right time. That’s why I have the toolbox. A number peg triggers the appropriate story, which I already have rehearsed and memorized.
To do this, list the numbers from 00-99 along with your own PAO characters or objects (doesn’t matter which). Then gradually assign a personal anecdote to each peg. I recommend starting with just 5 (maybe for the numbers 39, 72, 67, 97, and 83; it doesn’t matter) and then getting to know those really well. Eventually you’ll fill out all 100, resulting in an impressive arsenal of stories for practically any situation.
