I was wondering do memory techniques increase your attention span or increase your focus or both. Also do memory techniques help aid your iconic memory, not photographic memory and not editic memory does two are not the same as iconic memory ? I understand that the brain of a taxi drivers and memory athlete have similarities in connectivity of their brain. The brain strucutre of a memory athlete is the same as a normal person, just the neuro connectivity is different.
I would suggest just trying to find studies on this topic. Anecdotal claims from here may be very entertaining but it is not a proper evidence. Also, would be nice to start with the zero hypothesis to avoid bias in our conclusions.
From my subjective perspective, you get better at what you are training.
If you are training yourself in peeling potatoes and become good at it, then you are good at peeling potatoes. But you have not developed peeling areas in your brain which would make you king of the kitchen. You just have a set of very specific skills.
Similarly, you may memorise tons of digits in one minute. This makes you good at using mnemonics to memorise numbers. But does it change your default characteristics? I do not know. It should be demonstrated that attention span and focus could be trained and altered. And is it worth it.
It’s pretty likely. But if you really care to increase attention and focus, take up meditation for five minutes a day.
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I mean I was a buddhist monk for three years and have meditated for two hours daily for 8 years, not counting all those retreats where you do it for 8 hours daily.
I am good at doing this sort of stuff, but my attention and focus is as ■■■■ as it could be.
The same is true for the monks whom I known.
Yeah I’m not claiming it’s a magic pill, but there is scores of research showing it has real benefit. The lady in the video shows a difference in her own ECG results, along with increased productivity.
Cool, look at this interesting piece about adverse effects of meditation.