How would I go about memorizing important info in a book, magazine, or journal and its page number? Have any of you tried doing this? I’m still in the experimental stage. I’ll let you all know what I discover!
Thanks everybody!
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I’d take notes like normal, making sure to put the page number those notes come from on it’s own line above the notes.
Once done, refine them; make a mind map if you like. Then fill a memory palace with the notes, using your number system to label which page the following stations get their information from.
If you really want/need to, you could give the material it’s own avatar. Put a character to represent it at the start of the memory palace/palaces.
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You will find an overwhelming amount of information by searching the “book memorization” tag. (Most books on memory include chapters devoted to memorizing material from books, both general ideas/themes as well as verbatim text.)
You don’t mention what familiarity you have with memory techniques. Are you starting from zero or are you already comfortable using memory palaces and/or the Linking/Peg system? Are you comfortable with either the Major or Dominic system for numbers? If all of this sounds like gobbledygook, I’d encourage you to start with the Resources tab at the top of the page.
Bob
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It has been a while since I looked at these videos, but there may be some tips here:
Here’s a link to the tag: book-memorization
Edit: here’s a similar memory feat using page numbers that I just remembered.
I’ll go ahead and answer your question. although I’m not sure it will make sense to you, if you’re unfamiliar with memory techniques.
I’d start by having a memory system for numbers (I prefer the Major system) and having a number of large memory palaces in mind. (I would use one palace per book; for shorter texts, you might be able to devote a single palace to multiple articles.)
I’d then read through the work completely, highlighting the key information I wanted to recall. Then I’d walk the memory palace I’ve designated for that work and place the information in the predetermined locations. My first image would probably be for the page number, followed by images for the relevant content. Just be aware as you’re planning your palace/journey that some pages may yield multiple memorable points; you’ll want to allow ample space for storing more than one key idea in a location. (Although there are workarounds, such as links to secondary palaces where you store “overflow” information.)
I will say that you may be reinventing the wheel if your book already has an index. If that’s the case, I’m not sure you’ll find much value in duplicating its functionality in memory. After all, the location of that information in your memory palace will give you a general idea of where it appears within the original book.
Bob
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I really wish Yanjaa had gone into more detail geared to memory enthusiasts (rather than the general public). Her approach yields far more detail than Ron’s, recalling elements from memory that hardly register with me while I’m looking at the page! (Maybe that says more about my powers of observation than anything…)
Anyone know if she’s ever elaborated on these brief Youtube summaries?
Bob
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I couldn’t even recognize the items in 10 seconds. Partly because of the overhead angle, partly because I watched that on my phone.
Seems like what she did was go in a winding pattern starting at the windows and mostly use pizza as a theme to interact with each loci along the way. IIRC she used the windows themselves to remember that there were 5 people eating pizza to begin with.
“Carpet, blue = water, swim for pizza.” “Yellow ottoman, put hand in pocket find pizza.”
Super super quick. I couldn’t even recognize half the elements in the room in 10 seconds… Partly because it’s shot from above, partly because I watched that video on my phone.
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