Hi everyone,
I’m new to the Art of Memory forum and very interested in becoming a memory athlete. I also want to use memory techniques to improve my medical studies more effectively.
Right now, I feel a bit overwhelmed because there are so many methods, systems, and tips that I don’t know where or how to start properly.
If anyone is willing to guide me in the correct direction — maybe with a step-by-step learning process, beginner roadmap, or advice on which techniques to learn first — I would really appreciate it.
I urge you to listen/read some of the better books on the subject - these are the ones that I found very useful when starting (all on audible):
Quantum Memory - Dom O’Brien
Unlimited Memory - Kevin Horsley
Moonwalking with Einstein - Joshua Foer
Memory Craft - Lynne Kelly
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning - Peter C. Brown
The first two are good introductions to memory techniques. They have exercises and go a long way to introduce palaces and the method of loci - also number systems and other smaller day-to-day methods. They were immensely helpful as they start out very basic with small exercices and then ramp up to sytems like PAO.
Moonwalking w/ Einstein is a broadly interesting book and may interest you particularly as it centres around memory competition. Written from the POV of a reporter challenging himself to become a memory athlete, and then compete at the highest level. Anecdotal but very interesting with some good tips and references.
Memory craft is essential reading. A brilliant deep dive into the wider global/cultural influences that have informed modern memory techniques. Written with charm and shines a broader light on how memory techniques throughout history has been used by different civilisations.
Making it stick is a great companion to the AOM with a leaning toward large data learning and techniques to compliment methods like the journey/palace. I’d go as far to say this should be on the shelf of anyone who is actively studying any subject.
Lastly - this very site has lots of good introductory papers and pages.
