The Art of Memory is rooted in creativity. Bigger, brighter, memorable, vulgar, violent are some of the terms used to describe the images used in your stories or palaces, yet does it have to be? Yanjaa stated that she never uses violent images when making her associations. Make what you want from the next statement but the orthodox church got a lot of flack from the puritans for the frequent use of sexual, violent or absurd images. Were they on to something? Maybe, just maybe, they wouldn’t have all the scandals relating to you know what, if they used a bit more purity in their visual imagery. (just before someone tries to make a distinction between the church of England and the Roman catholic church, remember that the split was political but all traditions were the same. Also note that the one who was the direct recipient of said flack has a slightly better history regarding these scandals than the other)
Just because the first image that pops in your head , is one that meets the criteria of being memorable (normally it is something you wouldn’t repeat to your mother anyway), does not mean it’s the only one you will have. Just before you think that you must use that one, have you ever thought about where thoughts come from? Well, a lot of smart people have and this is what is generally accepted:
Where thoughts come from remains a mystery to science. Answer by Yohan John, Neuroscience PhD, on Quora:
Subjectively, our thoughts come from nowhere: they just pop into our heads, or emerge in the form of words leaving our mouths.
Think a little more, try a bit harder. You will get one that won’t pollute your mind with things that aren’t a reflection of who you are.
Take responsibility for your images. When you choose an image take a second and ask yourself if that is what you want to fill your mind with? Why not let Pocahontas carve the stick instead of, well…
You are somehow ansering yourself when making the statement
It’s known that our minds work better comparing things, and by associating things that are not usually associated you get a stronger memory of it. If Pocahontas carves the stick you will forget it in one second, but if she rides a unicorn on a treadmill you will start to remember this image much more. Now, our mind likes also to change the areas used, maybe for economic reasons, maybe because in that way it’s more efficient. I think that making a PAO out of only porn actress’ and killers wouldn’t make much sense, but when you try to mix all the faceted aspects of our emotions, it can give you an easier way to remember things. Yanjaa has found a way to create images without violence and we can just respect that because it works for her. Violent images would had worked better ? who knows.
I am sorry but I sincerely don’t understand your point here. Are you saying that church somehow promotes sexualized and violent behaviour as an institution ? and in which way is this statement connected to the memory techniques ?
my PAO system is something that changes and gets refined by using it, so I don’t think that there is anything intrinsecly wrong in imagining Jennifer Lawrence naked once, and then wearing an Hunger Games costume in another association. Just imagine a sequence like this . 65 01 24 65 49 71. Jennifer Lawrence tip tap dancing on a zombie’s head and jennifer lawrence kissing a crucifix. If you imagine her with the same clothes it’s harder to remember, but if you do the fastest thing possible, that is to say make her naked, then it becomes a lot faster to be remembered.
Maybe I misunderstood your points. So please tell me
Due to the site being used by people of all ages, I refrained from explaining certain points in greater detail. Personally I think that alone should give one pause. If you think your imagery are fine the way that it is, then that is your purview.
There are people who cringe (again using Yanjaa as an example) at the use of certain imagery. My post was meant to point out that you don’t have to use imagery just because people say they are more memorable. My post was meant to point out the importance of what you fill your mind with.
I don’t use much graphic violence in my mnemonics either, except for cartoon-style violence or something like what you might see in D&D art from the 80s.
I think that she and Nelson both mention using adult-themed images in Memory Games on Netflix.
I’m meticulous about what images go into my systems, but it’s because of repetitive thoughts. I don’t want certain things floating in my head. I prefer to seed seed my brain with beneficial images, since it affects my life significantly. I assume that most other people are different, because they pick images that I would never put in my systems. I think it’s probably fine, as long as people are fine with it themselves.
You are absolutely correct about that! She really made you understand that she likes using adult-themed images and she was pretty happy about that.
Yet, my point is if she can get by without using violent images, and some people can get by without using adult-themed images then it is possible to keep it PG rated. I’m not saying what people should or shouldn’t do. I’m trying to tell the ones who are concerned about it that it is perfectly fine to not use images they are not comfortable with.
The thread in question was made by a person who was surprised that people might object to the images used. Certain replies presented the opinion that whatever you use is okay. What I am saying is that you should take care with what you put in your mind. If you personally have a problem with certain images, then don’t use them. You shouldn’t feel forced just because the majority of people think it is okay. That is what I meant by taking responsibility. It’s your mind, it’s your images, it’s your choice.
In this topic (this thread and the other one) I have seen two perspectives.
One focuses on the defense of rights, privacy, freedom, etc.: “don’t tell me what to think”, “it is my brain”, “I do with my images what I want”, “I’m not damaging anyone”, etc.
The other focuses on the issue itself: is it harmful for the one training memory to use certain kind of images or content?
If I have a friend or someone I care for and I think that something he does is hurting or damaging him, I would let him or her know. I might be right or wrong, but, from my perspective, the idea of “is his life and he is free to do what he wants so I should not tell him anything” seems to be the just the pseudo-philosophical fashion of the last 30 or 50 years in some western countries . A fashion that will pass sooner or later.
And yes, one should take responsibility for one’s mental images.
Most of my images aren’t violent either. And if they are, then they usually are either cartoonish, or slapstick like in the Naked Gun and Hot Shots! films
Sometimes the images that come into my mind are scary though. When there are too many of them within a journey, it makes me feel depressed. Then I reduce them and reject further ones. But that rarely happens fortunately.
I’m curious. Could you please elaborate on the consequences you are afraid of when somebody fills or ‘pollutes’ the head with images that some people think of as controversial? What exactly is going to happen? @Liam@LourensP
