Hello,
I want to create 2digit PAO system in my native language, before doing that and sticking with it i want to ask you guys what “type” of PAO system should i create - what i mean by that is should i create PERSON ACTION OBJECT - with each word created with major system? - to me that seems so much easier then just going with (for example) AE - Albert Einstein - writing - On a blackboard, becouse i would need to remember that the writing is bonded with AE - which would be 15 in this case. I don’t know why so many people use “regular” PAO system and not created with major system rules for each letter. I want to ask you which type do you use and what do u think about it.
You’ve pretty much got it exactly. by linking all three PAO to a single person, you only have to really memorize 100 things instead of 300 when building the system. But that’s an extra step in the moment for every two digits you encode ("15 is… AE? Einstein! doing… what? oh, something with a chalkboard), so it’s much more time-consuming every time you actually go to memorize a long number, especially for objects since you usually have to mentally go through actions to get there.)
I recently had a mixed system but switched to 00-99 PAO major system followed exactly for person, action, object. (exactly-ish, there are a few with an extra sound after the two digits but i’ll fix them someday if i ever go to 000-999 which I don’t anticipate happening in the near future.) Honestly, I’ve struggled a bit to learn it. Some of the words are tough to recall in the first place, and linking them to exactly what they represent takes a while too. But I also understand that work put into building a system pays off every time you use it, so I’m (grudgingly) putting up with my current “slow progress” and looking forward to reaping the benefits in the future.
If you’re using Anki, I highly recommend trying to find a specific single image and putting it as the answer so you can start to focus your visualization when you recall. Sometimes just searching for images that fit your words helps to solidify what you’re visualizing. And seeing it every time you review as the “answer” on your flashcard can help lock it in too.
I currently use “categorical” PAO, where each ten numbers (or each suit of cards) has a category. Within each category, I use the major system for the last digit, matching it to the first or last name of a person (or sometimes nicknames if i have to get creative to fill a slot). I think the categories help add an additional memory anchor. I also use “meta categories”, for example all the suits of cards are sitcoms. Example of the person portion of my PAO for cards:
Card
Category
Person
A♧
Big Bang Theory
Tam
2♧
Big Bang Theory
Neil deGrasse Tyson (guest star)
3♧
Big Bang Theory
Mary Cooper
4♧
Big Bang Theory
Howard
5♧
Big Bang Theory
Leonard
6♧
Big Bang Theory
Sheldon
7♧
Big Bang Theory
Koothrapali
8♧
Big Bang Theory
Farrah Fowler (Amy)
9♧
Big Bang Theory
Penny
10♧
Big Bang Theory
Stuart
J♧
Big Bang Theory
Dr. Beverly Hofstadter
Q♧
Big Bang Theory
Nathan Fillion (guest star)
K♧
Big Bang Theory
Missy Cooper
A♤
Seinfeld
David Puddy
2♤
Seinfeld
Newman
3♤
Seinfeld
Morty Seinfeld
4♤
Seinfeld
Russel Dalyrimple
5♤
Seinfeld
Elaine
6♤
Seinfeld
George
7♤
Seinfeld
Kramer
8♤
Seinfeld
Frank Costanza
9♤
Seinfeld
Babu Bhat
10♤
Seinfeld
Seinfeld (Jerry)
J♤
Seinfeld
Tim Watley
Q♤
Seinfeld
Nazi (Soup)
K♤
Seinfeld
Maestro
A
That 70s Show
Donna
2
That 70s Show
Nina (fez girlfriend)
3
That 70s Show
Mr Foreman
4
That 70s Show
Eric
5
That 70s Show
Laurie Foreman
6
That 70s Show
Jackie
7
That 70s Show
Kelso
8
That 70s Show
Fez
9
That 70s Show
Bob Pinciotti
10
That 70s Show
Steven Hyde
J
That 70s Show
Donna’s Mom (midge)
Q
That 70s Show
Angie (hydes half sister)
K
That 70s Show
Mrs Foreman
A♢
Friends
David scientist
2♢
Friends
Nasty neighbor (Mr Heckles)
3♢
Friends
Monica
4♢
Friends
Rachel
5♢
Friends
Little Gellar (Ross)
6♢
Friends
Joey
7♢
Friends
Gunther
8♢
Friends
Phoebe
9♢
Friends
Bing (Chandler)
10♢
Friends
Smelly Cat
J♢
Friends
Tag
Q♢
Friends
Naked Guy
K♢
Friends
Mike
I made this with the help of my GPT which provides you multiple person/character options for each consonant sound for your given category (eg. Seinfeld characters). You can then pick the ones that have the strongest association in your mind. I don’t know if you need to be a paid member to use GPTs, but if so you can always ask your free ai or search engine of choice to make you a similar list.
Seems like people just memorize the entire PAO system if they arent using major system to create person, action and object i wonder if it would be more effective later on if i would have memorized all the things it would be kinda automatic… still not sure if i should create regular PAO or with the words that match major system letters
Just found this: PAO Advice I wish I knew before I learned my PAO. IM sure i will grind and memorize it, now actually im more into making regular PAO and just memorize the 300 things with the numbers and make the person action object logical. What do u reckon?
I disagree with several of the points in that post, but really, you should make the determination for yourself. Try one way and if you like it, great! Remember you can always rebuild, modify, or switch systems in the future. It may seem like a lot now, but 300 associations is not really that much and the brain is easily adaptable and overwrite-able.
I started with a category system, “classic” PAO, then tried fully major and loved it. Moved from a single card to a 2-block, to a split 1352 PO, to a full 2704. Its possible to keep modifying as you go. Only you can determine what will work well for you! Don’t let someone who had a negative experience with a certain system turn you off to it.
Ultimately though, the specific system you pick is less important than the time and effort you put into learning and using it. Someone who puts a lot of effort into a simple system will crush someone who just halfheartedly works on a more “advanced” one. Its all about what works for you!
Ok, I will go for major PAO i think that at the end both systems will make u remember and associete the word with number instantly anyway if ill be using it often and study it. So i guess the simpliest way to make the list now is to NOT go for logical action and object with the person mainly becosue it would be very hard to do that with major requirements right?
Any chance u should share your PAO if u can so i can see how did u make it? Just want to see how the person with ( for me) great achievements built their PAO.
