Hi is on the shadows of ideas from giordano bruno a book for beginners. I mean I understood its an introduction to the art of memory for a french king but i am not sure. Maybe its just dedicated but i guess if it was the case it could work as an introduction to anyone
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I’ve only read some of it, but I would say it’s not really for beginners. It’s kind of cryptic (because of censorship at the time) and not really something I would use as an introduction to memory.
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No, it’s not for beginners. Nor is it quite useful as a resource; as most of the best memory techniques are already out there, in non-cryptic form. From what I recall, given my understanding, is that Bruno was attempting to intertwine metaphysical philosophies with imagination, and a memory-gem or two every now and then, obviously illustrated in a way that is intentionally not intended for the weak-minded. A bit narcissistic, perhaps? — Debatable.
Beginners don’t necessarily need books to introduce themselves to the arts of memory, but in case they were looking for some:
Memory Craft by Lynne Kelly is great for beginners, as well as Solomon’s Memory Palace. If you want something more historical, try The Art of Memory by Frances Yates.
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Memory Craft is great.
In addition to those, anything by Dominic O’Brien is good for beginners. I liked the Quantum Memory Power audiobook when I started. If you don’t already have an Audible account, you might be able to get it free here.
If you haven’t already seen our free ebook, I’d recommend reading that first, because it’s short and provides an overview of many memory techniques. The other books (and the wiki/forum here) go into more depth.
For anyone looking for it, On the Shadows of Ideas is available here.
Also, check out this page:
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Not to contradict @coda, but Shadows is potentially tremendously useful.
Bruno’s desire that his readers should work a little for their knowledge is possibly narcissistic. But I doubt it. And only time will tell how it fares compared to the books of our era (if there is such a thing as “time,” which we know Bruno was correctly skeptical about apropos the physics of our time.)
Shadows is only partly a memory book and can potentially help people interested in the Zen implications of memory discussed here:
As in many realms of performance-training, the actual book almost certainly plays second fiddle to what the reader does with the book.
And when one can’t get themselves to do the doing, Bruno might be the key. Seal of Seals might be a better starting point than Shadows for that, however.
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Thanks for the reply professor. And certainly; Shadows is potentially quite useful.
But in regards to the context of where beginners’ attention should be directed, first and foremost; it does not help, but merely obfuscates. It’s probably the last book they need to start using the arts of memory in their day-to-day lives, as they need to understand the fundamental structure of how mnemonics work, and Bruno does a cluttered job of that, given his desire to cloud and shroud his information.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved Shadows, and I agree with what you elucidated about it.
When viewed psychoanalytically, it provides intriguing perspectives into the human psyche’s perception and is generously imbued with archetypal figures and patterns that correspond to the latter, and even to some philosophical notions Bruno illustrates. Surely, that’s the last thing a beginner needs to begin with when it comes to the utility of the arts of memory — right?
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The only problem is…
No one actually knows what might be useful or not to another person.
And anyone who knows the location of their fridge is already in the intermediate phase of using memory techniques.
Hence the value of these discussions for the OP…
Or at least, the potential value.
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