Anthony Metivier's Blog, page 23

The Mandela Effect: Is Your Memory Playing Tricks on You?

Have you ever seen or heard something that felt… just a little off?

Maybe you’re fairly certain you remember an event one way, but when you do a Google search, the information you find doesn’t line up with your memory.

It can be frustrating, confusing, and can even make you wonder if you’re starting to lose your mind (or if you’ve stumbled on a government conspiracy).

Turns out, there’s a name for what you just experienced. It’s called the Mandela Effect, and it’s more common than you might have imagined.

But what is this phenomenon, and why is it called the Mandela Effect?

What Is the Mandela Effect?

The Mandela Effect is a strange occurrence where large groups of people remember an event that didn’t occur or something that never existed. The group usually recalls the exact same thing in the exact same way.

It’s named after Nelson Mandela and his supposed death in prison in the 1980s. In fact, this former South African president was released from prison in 1990 and lived until 2013.

 

Back in 2009, Fiona Broome launched a website dedicated to the exploration of the Mandela Effect. She wanted to explore and document “memories that didn’t match our current reality and its history.”

Since that time, the Mandela Effect has continued to capture our collective attention. Fun fact: the subject was even broached by the writers of The X-Files (the recent reboot).

Now that you know a little more about what the effect is, let’s look at three of the most famous examples.

Mandela Effect Examples You Might Recognize

What types of events and products could cause mass mis-remembering? Here are a few times where memories don’t match the facts.

Nelson Mandela died in prison in the 1980s

The phenomenon that started it all…

Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid political leader who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Before he was elected, he served a total of 27 (non-consecutive) years in prison for various political crimes against the state. 

While he did suffer from tuberculosis in the late 1980s, he did not die. In fact, he was released from prison in 1990, and went on to be elected President just over 4 years later.

I know these facts because… I went and bought the book. This is my copy of The Long Walk to Freedom, and I read it as part of walking my talk by using the critical thinking suggestions I’ll share with you below:

Reading is a great way to get acquainted with the facts.

The Berenstain Bears are a family affair

One of the most famous examples of the Mandela Effect are the Berenstein… err… Berenstain Bears.

If you Google “Berenstain Bears,” one of the first people also ask questions is: “why did they change the name of the Berenstain Bears?”

Since their original publication in 1962, these delightful treehouse-dwelling bears have been beloved by many. In the 1980s, the characters experienced an upswing in product licensing. This included an animated series, software and video games, museum exhibits, and even an off-Broadway musical.

So, despite a large number of parents and children remembering the “Berenstein Bears,” there’s more than enough evidence out there that the name was always “Berenstain.”

Obi Wan killed your father!

One of the most famous (and most repeated) misquotes comes from one of the greatest movie franchises in history.

In the dialogue between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in 1980’s Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Vader does not say “Luke, I am your father.”

Despite what the widely repeated and meme-d quote would have you believe, Darth Vader’s revelation has one single word changed: “No, I am your father.”

Sorry, movie buffs. You’ve been saying it wrong for almost 4 decades.

Now that you’ve seen a few Mandela Effect examples, you might wonder: how can so many people be convinced of the same (wrong) events and occurrences?

The Explanations Are Out There

There are many different explanations for what’s going on, ranging from the fanciful to the mundane.

Storytelling is woven into the human experience. From our earliest recorded history, human beings have told each other stories to share wisdom. And the more imaginative the story (including reincarnation memories), the more entertainment value it holds for the listener.

When it comes time to explain what’s really behind the Mandela Effect, stories come out of the woodwork.

Multiverse, Parallel Universe, or the Matrix?

One of the most-shared fanciful storylines is that humanity is experiencing an alternate reality. 

Alternate Realities

Some people believe we’re constantly sliding between parallel realities, and the memories that don’t make any sense are from an alternate reality. Say, one where the Berenstein Bears existed. 

Another angle on this theory is that we’re experiencing a many-worlds interpretation. It’s a theory of quantum mechanics, implying that all possible outcomes are physically realized in some universe or other.

Others believe we’re living in a version of the Matrix (or a large-scale holodeck), and the Mandela Effect memories are a glitch. Much like the déjà vu Neo experiences when the black cat walks past the door twice in The Matrix.

There’s even a theory that certain quantum science tests, including a CERN project or two, may have transformed the fabric of our reality.

And because quantum physics is such a complex science, there is no way to scientifically disprove any of these theories. But… there is also no scientific proof.

There is, however, a human aspect to these types of misremembering.

Human Error

To err is human, or so goes the line in Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Criticism.

Were you aware that for most big sporting events in the United States (the Super Bowl, World Series, etc) the “winner” merchandise gets printed ahead of time? Do you wonder what happens to the t-shirts, hats, and other merch of the losing team?

And did you know that in 1948, the Chicago Tribune printed papers declaring Thomas Dewey the victor over Harry Truman, before the final electoral count came in? Or that in 1956 the New York Times ran an item announcing the death of Fidel Castro (who didn’t actually die until 2016)?

Whether it’s due to human error or bad reporting, there are times when false information gets out into the world.

Now let’s take a look at the honest truth… your brain is likely the culprit in any Mandela Effect occurrences. 

Your Brain is (Probably) Playing Tricks on You

“Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” ~Carl Sagan

Our minds are complex. Even in 2019, neuroscientists are still figuring out basic facts about the human brain.

And that complex system gets things wrong. A lot.

Take Hermann Ebbinghaus’s forgetting curve. His research observed that most people forget newly acquired information within the span of a few hours. And even those with stronger memories kept those facts for at most a few days.

It’s possible to overcome the forgetting curve, but it takes hard work and reinforcing what you learn at regular intervals.

Chances are, current events and popular culture tidbits aren’t the kind of thing you spend time trying to memorize. So it stands to reason, most of those memories aren’t retained.

Compounding the issue is the fallibility of memory in general.

False Memory Syndrome and Pattern Recognition

False memories occur when a person recalls something that did not happen or happened differently than they recall. Sound familiar?

Sigmund Freud and Pierre Janet initially investigated this psychological phenomenon.

Since that time, suggestibility, the incorporation of misinformation, associated information, and source misattribution have been suggested as mechanisms to explain false memory syndrome. Episodic memory might also play a role.

The unreliability of eyewitness reports has long been known. Simply changing an article in a question (for example, “the” vs “a” referring to an object in question) can change the answer a witness gives about what they saw. 

Priming – or factors that happen before an event – can affect a person’s recall. Information learned after the fact can also skew what an eyewitness remembers.

The brain likes to encode similar memories into categories so it can make sense of the world. And humans naturally tend to look for patterns. Chunking allows the brain to store information in easy-to-remember packets.

Incorrect recall can also be caused by effort after meaning. This is the brain’s persistent effort to put unfamiliar details into context and transform information to make it more understandable. Also responsible for memory errors – especially with age – is confabulation, where your brain fills gaps to make more sense of what it sees and hears.

Elderly woman sleeping with string on her finger

And even people with aphantasia (who don’t have the capacity to form mental images) usually still have the capacity to recall memories. The memory is just a conceptual list of things that occurred, rather than a video playing in their head. 

But does the written word make a difference in how we remember things? 

The Oddity of Reading

The brain is quite skilled at making sense out of randomness. 

Take, for example, our ability to raed ltteers and wrods taht are in teh worng oredr. Randomizing letters in the middle of words has “little or no effect on the ability of skilled readers to understand the text.” However, it does result in slower reading speeds for most people.

Coming back to the Mandela Effect examples above, let’s look at how Froot Loops also fits the brain’s desire for spelling “sense.”

“Berenstain” is a weird word that can’t be correct due to the incongruity between children’s literature and what “stain” means. The mind probably corrects it to fit the appropriate picture. In similar fashion, Froot Loops shares in this “make it fit” correction. 

Every time I think of the Berenstain Bears, the comedy film The Bad News Bears comes to mind. But because there is no spelling incongruity, there is less likelihood of The Bad News Bears becoming a Mandela Effect trend.

Leaving behind the individual human brain for a moment, let’s explore the collective human brain: the internet.

Your Brain, Online

The Mandela Effect was not documented until the Internet Age. 

And I would be remiss if this post didn’t cover the role the internet plays in this discussion. Never before in human history has information flowed so freely, and been shared so widely. 

Misconceptions and falsehoods easily gain traction because of their entertainment value. Then they are quickly and easily shared via the seemingly endless online platforms connecting the human race. 

In a world where tweets about earthquakes move faster than the earthquake itself, false information spreads just as quickly. And with each repetition, the frequently repeated errors become part of our collective reality.

So with the cards stacked against us – and our memories letting us down – how can we tell what memories are true, and what’s a figment of our imaginations?

It’s time to bust out the debunking tools.

Why Critical Thinking is Key

In a world of false memories, human error, internet untruths, presumptive baloney, and high emotions, you need a way to figure out what is truthful and factual.

While there are several different definitions of critical thinking, for the purposes of this post we’ll keep it simple. Critical thinking involves analyzing facts to come to a well-thought-out conclusion.

In the words of Carl Sagan, we can use critical thinking as our own personal “Baloney Detection Kit.”

In science, every experiment begins with facts. These might be results, data, observations, measurements… which are then put to the test.

Michael Shermer drew on Sagan’s work, and created a newer version of the kit. Here are his 10 Baloney Detection Questions:

How reliable is the source of the claim?
Does the source often make similar claims?
Have the claims been verified by someone else?
Does this fit with the way the world works?
Has anyone tried to disprove this claim? 
Where does the preponderance of evidence point?
Are the people making the claim playing by the rules of science? 
Are they providing positive evidence?
Does the new theory account for as many phenomena as the old theory?
Are personal beliefs / ideologies driving the claim?

 

By asking these questions, you can determine if:

The data is cherry-picked to support a particular belief,
The source has an open mind (but “not so open their brains fall out”),
The experiment is repeatable with the same results, 
There are supporting materials,
Most of the evidence leans in one direction,
There is evidence in favor of the theory (rather than negative evidence),
The new theory explains all the things the old theory explained, 
There is confirmation bias,
And you’re not just being tricked by something like the flashbulb memory phenomenon.

So, by putting the Mandela Effect to the Baloney Detection test, you can determine that none of the prevailing theories hold water.

Given the facts, and faced with a faulty memory, is there anything else you can do to strengthen your Baloney Detector?

The Power of Positive Skepticism 

Keeping a skeptical outlook can help you fine tune your ability to distinguish between fact and fiction.

But did you know skepticism can also help your memory?

You may be skeptical of this claim… but it’s true. Here are a few reasons why.

Skeptics tend to follow the laws of a universal rule.

They believe the responsibility for demonstrating the validity of a claim falls on the person making the claim.

Skeptics are often quite determined.

They badly want to get at the truth. So they’re able to tackle memory training with a heck of a lot of diligence.

Skeptics end up creating multiple levels of energy.

They begin, determined their memories can’t be improved. And when they start to realize they’re wrong, a new type of energy takes its place — the energy of excitement about their “surprising” results.

This happens because they go out and investigate. They use their Baloney Detector… and find out they were feeding themselves baloney. Namely, that they couldn’t improve their memories.

Are you skeptical yet?

Mandela Effect: Trick or Truth?

So what about you? Are you convinced that the more out-there explanations of the Mandela Effect are, in fact, baloney?

2019 Canadian Memory Champion Reveals His Memory Secrets

Want to become a memory champion?

Great!

Competition can encourage you to function at your absolute highest level.

Even if…

You’re retired.

To help you understand exactly why and how anyone can learn so much from joining a memory competition, today’s guest is James Gerwing.

Or Jim, as he signed off when he wrote to tell me:

Anthony, Jim Gerwing, here. About 5 years ago, I began taking your online course and then went into some memory competitions. I am the 4 time, current, undefeated (and record holder) of the Alberta memory championships.

Even better: I just won the 2019 Canadian Memory Championships (AND the first ever pan-provincial championship). Thanks for your input.

As you’re about to learn, I had no solid idea just what he meant by “input”!

But I wasn’t entirely clueless either…

As you can see from my State of Your Memory Address from 2016, he’d already broken a few memory competition records back then.

You just have to love what emerges from consistent practice and exploration of these powerful techniques!

And that’s why I just had to get James on the show to talk about how exactly the Magnetic Memory Method served along the way.

About Memory Champion James Gerwing

James is the 2019 Canadian Memory Champion.

He’s also the winner of the 2019 and 2017 Alberta Memory Championships, and earned the bronze medal at the 2018 Canadian Memory Championships in Toronto.

He’s obviously a memory expert too, and has even created his own “Mind Sharp” course.

In this Magnetic Memory Method Podcast interview, James shares his personal journey of memory improvement, and eventually, entry into the world of memory competitions.

Now retired from an impressive career as an educator, James plans to continue competing. I’m confident he will continue to win!

Do You Have To Become A Memory Champion To Learn These Techniques?

No, but some experience with competition helps.

For example, my own memory skills accelerated in unexpected ways after I sat to compete for charity with Dave Farrow.

Obviously, competition isn’t for everyone, but as Simon Luisi has written on the Canadian Memory Championships site:

“One of the best ways [to improve memory] is to participate in a memory competition.”

Whatever side of the fence you stand regarding competition, I encourage you to take a few minutes and listen to James’ perspective.

You just might reconsider where your opinion falls. I know I had and it handed me more knowledge than I ever could have expected! 

Just press play above and you’ll discover:

How a love of memory can be ignited at a young age, and memory techniques are vital to the education system
The reason competition performance differs from private practice in memory work
Why stress can be beneficial to memory improvement
The rationale of why memory techniques are not utilized in everyday life…and why they should be
How a memory champion really prepares for competition
A practical example of the use of the Major Method, and a welcome hack for “odd numbers out”
A proven way to relate cards, numbers, Magnetic Stations, and a PAO list
Why Memory Palace journeys don’t always have to be linear
When your memory associations are better off left unsaid
The reason memory competitions aren’t actually an external competition, but a solo performance
Plus much, much more, because…

… a second part to this interview is exclusive to the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. It’s already available in the card course James used to learn the skills that helped him win!

Further Resources on the Web, this podcast, and the MMM Blog:

James’s interview the Edmonton Prime Times

James’s Mind Sharp Course

Major System Secrets And The Future Of Your Memory With Florian Dellé (referenced in this interview)

Next Level Memory Training Secrets with USA Memory Champ John Graham (referenced in this interview)

Katie Kermode On Memory Competition and Casual, Everyday Mnemonics

Nelson Dellis on Remember It! And Visual Memory Techniques

Idriz Zogaj On The Truth About Memory Training Apps

Memory Improvement Fun And Games: Mark Channon Talks About How To Remember Anything

Do you want to join in the competition? Check out Art of Memory’s current memory competitions list

And if you need help, learn how to create an UNSHAKEABLE Memory Palace Training Routine, so you stand a chance of winning too. Both in learning, competition and life overall.

The post 2019 Canadian Memory Champion Reveals His Memory Secrets appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

Iconic Memory Defined And Why Photographic Memory DOES NOT Exist

She disappeared in a flash, but when I closed my eyes, I could see her beautiful face looking pleadingly in my direction. 

Reads like romantic fiction, doesn’t it?

It’s actually your iconic memory recalling a visual stimulus in its technicolor glory.

In this post, you’ll learn all about iconic memory, why it’s important and how to improve it to enable better memory and recall. I’ll also break a few myths about picture-perfect memories.

Here’s what I’ll cover in this post:

What Is An Iconic Memory?
Why Iconic Memory is Not The Same as a Photographic Memory
How is Iconic Memory formed?
George Sperling & Other Experiments 
How Does Iconic Memory Move to Long-Term Memory?
What Function Does Iconic Memory Serve?
How Can You strengthen your Iconic Memory? 

What Is An Iconic Memory?

Iconic memory is one type of sensory memory. 

 

It is a short-term visual memory and lasts only a few seconds before getting discarded.

Your brain uses iconic memory to remember (for a brief time) an image you have seen around you. 

Your sensory memory stores all information that you experience through your five major senses – touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell. Check out these sensory memory exercises for a wild, mental adventure.

Such storage of all stimuli is an automatic response by your brain. If sufficient attention is given to this stimulus, the information may then pass into your short-term memory, and from there, it can get encoded into your long-term memory. 

However, in most cases, sensory information is thrown out within a few seconds.

This Puts The “Icon” In Iconic

When some kind of sensory input enters your visual system, it goes into your iconic memory. The visual system includes the iconic memory, visual short-term memory and long-term memory.

Iconic memory is simply your brain’s way of processing visual information. The brain sees this information as distinct flashes or ‘icons,’ hence the name iconic.

For instance, imagine you are driving through the countryside and a lovely cottage with a red front door flashes past. You continue to drive, but can still see the “image” in your mind’s eye. 

This after-image of the cottage in your mind’s eye even after it ceases to exist in your visual plain is the working of your iconic memory.

Here are some other examples of iconic memory:

Your friend is reading a book, and you ask her which books is it. Your friend shows you the cover of the book for just a brief moment before hiding it, leaving you with only the impression, or iconic memory, of what the book’s cover looked like.
You come home one evening and as you turn on the living room light the bulb burns out, leaving you in darkness. But your mind’s eye can still visualize (albeit briefly) what the room looked like in the luminance of the bulb.

In other words, your brain takes a snapshot of every image it “sees” and stores that as an after-image only for a few seconds in your iconic memory. Apparently, this happens in your brain, even if you have aphantasia.

The question is… how is it like a camera taking a picture?

Is it the same as a photographic memory?

Iconic Memory is Not The Same as a Photographic Memory

Let’s get one thing clear.

Photographic memory does not exist.

The phenomenon where you have instantaneous recall of any and all events by uniting your visual, spatial, audio, and verbal memories is not possible by humans.

You may have heard that Teddy Roosevelt could repeat aloud entire newspaper pages as if he was reading from it, or of artists like Arturo Toscanini, who was able to conduct the opera from memory after his eyesight became too poor to read the music. 

Many world champions and memory experts like Nelson Dellis can memorize and recall many digits of Pi, but there is no verified case which shows memory working like a camera with total and complete recall. 

But what if you can remember your experience in great detail – right down to the color of the car that you took to go to Disneyland when you were five years old? Does that mean you have a photographic memory?

Simple answer: No.

What you can have is an eidetic memory – a memory that is very vivid and has great potential for recall.

However, to clarify – eidetic memory is not photographic memory. It simply means you can remember many things in great detail, but not all the details. 

More importantly, eidetikers may even invent details that were never there.

Quick side note:

Some researchers found that a mutated fruit fly could potentially possess a form of photographic memory. 

Over the course of their brief lives, a fruit fly with a boosted CREB gene could have a form of photographic memory. While humans also share DNA with fruit flies, the potential for a similar boost in humans is yet to be researched.

So, if iconic memory isn’t photographic, why do we even need it?

It seems unimportant, right?

Maybe not. You’ll know in a minute.

Let’s first understand how iconic memories are made.

How Is Iconic Memory Formed?

The occipital lobe is the central part of the brain involved in iconic memory. This lobe is responsible for processing and regulating visual information.

When you “see” something, the visual information is received by the photoreceptor cells in the eyes and sent to the occipital lobe. Here it is stored for a few milliseconds before being it is forgotten or transferred to the temporal lobe. 

This visual memory or visual persistence is then converted from visual short-term memory to long-term memory by the hippocampus, which is located inside the temporal lobe.

There may be psychological visual persistence of a visual stimulus for some time after its physical offset. There are three senses where it can persist.

The Three Persistences

The first is neural persistence which occurs when neural activity continues after the stimuli are gone.

The second is visible persistence – when you continue to see an image even though it is gone, such as with a flash of bright light.

The third is informational persistence –  when an observer continues to retain information about a visual stimulus for some time after the stimulus is gone.

Research into these three stages of visual persistence was done by Max Coltheart.

In 1980, Max Coltheart performed research into the three stages of visual persistence.

His study also suggests that any physical stimulus must be temporarily attached to a representation in semantic memory. However, episodic memory is not involved in this process. This temporary storage of information is what constitutes iconic memory. 

Iconic memory capacity is also extremely brief. Usually, the duration of iconic memory is less than one second, and this duration is fixed irrespective of how long visual stimulus is displayed.  

Iconic vs Echoic Memory

The iconic memory and echoic (auditory) memory are the two most extensively studied sensory memories.

The other main types of sensory memory include touch or haptic memory, taste or gustatory memory, and smell or olfactory memory. 

One big difference between iconic memory and echoic memory is regarding the duration and capacity. 

While echoic memory lasts up to 3-4 seconds, iconic memory or short-term visual memory lasts only up to one second. However, while iconic memory can preserve 8-9 items, the capacity of the echoic memory is 4-5 items.

George Sperling & Other Experiments With Iconic Memory

American cognitive psychologist George Sperling documented the existence of iconic memory. 

Cognitive psychology is the study of mental processes such as memory, perception, problem-solving, attention, language use, etc.

Through several experiments, Sperling showed that humans store a perfect image of the visual world for a brief moment – as icons – before it is discarded from memory.

However, it was psychologist Ulric Neisser who in 1967 labeled this form of quickly fading visual memory as iconic memory.

Sperling’s initial experiment used a matrix with three rows of three letters. The participants were asked to look at a visual display of letters, for a short period, and then recall them immediately. Under this technique, subjects were able to, on average, recall 4-5 letters of the 9 they were given. 

The results helped Sperling conclude that our short-term visual memory can hold the information even if it is exposed to it for a few seconds. 

He reasoned that the reason the subjects were not able to recall all of the letters was that this memory disappeared in less than a second.

Sperling didn’t stop there. Next, he tried a variation to this experiment, known as the partial report method. 

In this partial report method, after the visual display of letters, Sperling sounded a high, medium, or low tone. The tone was a cue for the participants. Depending on which tone was sounded, the participant read the high, medium, or low row of letters.

This time around, when the participants had a cue they were able to recall more letters. The partial-report experiments determined that even though we see all the visual image of letters, we cannot recall them all because the memory is fleeting. 

While Sperling’s experiments with memory tasks mainly tested the information related to a stimulus, others such as Coltheart performed directs tests of visual persistence. 

Coltheart also questioned the relation between visual persistence and iconic memory.

In his report, Iconic memory and visible persistence. Perception and Psychophysics, (27, 183-228), Coltheart says “Iconic memory and visible persistence are often treated as the same. However, whether these two phenomenon are the same is an empirical question.

“The earlier review established that two properties of visible persistence are 1) an inverse relationship with stimulus duration and 2) an inverse relationship with stimulus luminance, or intensity. Iconic memory must exhibit these two properties before it can be equated with visible persistence. 

“There is no evidence that the duration of iconic memory and luminance are inversely related. Furthermore, although there is some evidence that increasing stimulus duration has an effect on iconic memory persistence, this effect is direct rather than inverse. Thus, visible persistence—which is very sensitive to physical display features—and iconic memory seem to behave differently.”

Nearly two decades after Sperling’s original experiments, visual persistence and informational persistence emerged as two distinct components of visual sensory memory.

How Does Iconic Memory Move to Long-Term Memory?

A lot of focused attention is needed to move information from iconic memory to durable storage – which is your short-term memory and subsequently, your long-term memory. 

The human memory system works on encoding, storage, and retrieval of information. In 1968, Atkinson and Shiffrin suggested this model for human memory. It includes three components – sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. 

The Human Memory System Simplified

Here’s a simplistic explanation on how your memory system works:

In the first stage, any incoming sensory or perceptual information is held in the sensory memory. The information gathered through the senses is an exact copy of what you perceive. This information is stored in your sensory memory for a very short duration. 

For instance, as soon as you get a visual stimulus – you see an apple – it is processed by your eyes and moved into the occipital lobe. Next, recognition occurs, and this information is then placed into iconic memory. All this takes place very quickly.

From the iconic memory, only a limited amount of information that you consciously pay attention to moves into the visual working memory – this is your short-term memory for visual stimuli. Everything else is discarded.

This short-term memory does not have unlimited capacity. It can only store a limited amount of information. 

Conscious perception makes a significant difference in the memory process.

The information can remain in the working memory for several minutes before being discarded or stored in long term memory.

Over time, memories get etched in long-term storage. For this, you need rehearsal and petition to practice your recall of information which enables you to move information from short-term to long-term memory.  

What Function Does Iconic Memory Serve?

If iconic memory lasts only for a few microseconds, is it at all important?

Absolutely!

The role of iconic memory in creating new memory is significant.

This form of sensory memory provides a steady stream of visual information to the brain, which can then be processed by your short-term memory into more stable and long-term forms of memory.

Scientists are also using iconic memory to make revolutionary discoveries. One of them is the role of this memory in change blindness or our inability to detect significant changes in our visual field. 

In certain experiments, they discovered that we tend to have trouble with change detection from one scene to another if we face brief intervals between them. 

According to researchers, that happens because that delay or interruption wipes out the iconic memory of the scene, which makes detecting differences all the more difficult if not downright impossible.

Iconic memory loss has also been linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, so it may be prudent to strengthen this type of sensory perception.

How Can You Strengthen your Iconic Memory?

Since iconic memory is one type of sensory memory, improving your overall sensory perceptions will result in better retention of visual information.

Attention also plays a vital role in not only transferring information from iconic to working memory but also when the iconic memory is formed.

According to this study, the formation of iconic memory is disrupted when attention is diverted even if that happens for a brief period of time. 

The human mind is capable of faultless information processing, just like a computer. It takes in information, organizes and stores it to be retrieved at a later time. 

However, for this information processing to be accurate, you need to be aware and deliberate in your learning.

Be Intentional To Have Better Memory

When you are intentional, you perceive things better.

Why is that?

Because you are paying attention to everything around you – all your senses are sharper and focused on absorbing the information around you.

Greater attention means better perception, which results in good memory.

Memory exercises can be used to strengthen your attention which in turn will improve retention and recall.

However, your memory improvement training should always be linked to memorizing information that will immediately improve your life. It should always be measurable since tracking your outcomes leads to rapid improvement.

This is where creating Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method can come in handy. 

It enables you to unlock the power of all types of memory – autobiographical, sensory, episodic, semantic, procedural and more so that you can move information into long term memory faster and with predictable and reliable permanence. 

Keen to unlock your natural ability to learn and remember anything fast? 

Why not try the Magnetic Memory Method today? 

The post Iconic Memory Defined And Why Photographic Memory DOES NOT Exist appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

Memory Palace Software: Matthew Snow on Using MemoryFiler

Ever heard the phrase “Work smarter, not harder”?

Well, what if there was a way to translate this idea into your memory improvement efforts?

Sure, there are a lot of apps and learning systems that promise big results.

In reality,  most fall flat as tools and memory aids. But there is something potentially revolutionary in the memory software world that I want you, the Magnetic Memory Method Community, to know about.

Today’s guest, Matthew Snow is the creator of the app, MemoryFiler.

A former Army serviceman, Matthew initially became interested in memory techniques as a way to better himself personally.

Using mnemonics eventually grew to Matthew’s desire to help others attain their memorization goals through using his fascinating Memory Palace Software. Here’s a demo:

 

Matthew’s Memory Palace Software is highly personal, and isn’t a hack or a shortcut.

Far from it:

You’re still putting in the work, but it actually aids you in remembering your Magnetic Imagery. You do the encoding, and you make the associations. However, with this memory software, your images are at-the-ready for Recall Rehearsal as you work on committing them to memory to use in your work.

The Difference Between This Memory Palace Software And The Rest

That’s the difference between MemoryFiler and the flooded market. It takes your best efforts, your commitment, your encoding, and your imagery, and gives you a little boost, so that you can work smarter, not harder.

So if you’re looking for a way to maximize your imagery, and if you’re searching for a more high tech way to record that imagery instead of putting pen to paper – if flashcards simply aren’t a tool in your personal toolbox, listen up.

Simply press play using the audioplayer at the top of this page to discover:

How Matthew’s military experience was helped by the Memory Palace technique, and what servicemen and women really need to know for a promotion
The secret to getting “unstuck” with visual imagery used in memory techniques
What traits are necessary for success in entrepreneurship (and how consistency and routine relates to memory training routines)
Strengths and weakness of kinesthetic and visual learning styles
The benefit to reducing cognitive load through the use of apps, and why you shouldn’t “beat yourself up” over using them
Why social media is really asocial media, and why this is a metaphor for other “memory games” on the market
The need for analog and digital to work in tandem, and why we can’t “throw the baby out with the bathwater” when it comes to choosing one over the other
The reality of the generational gap between Generation X and Generation Z, and the influence the digital age has had on these groups
An explanation of dual-path readership and its development in modern culture
Why you should be concerned with media sovereignty
The real way to improve focus and concentration
The reason pop culture junk may be more useful than you think for memory work (Hint: It has to do with semantic memory)
Warning signs and indicators you’re dealing with the “pain of disconnect”

Further Resources on the Web, this podcast, and the MMM Blog:

Matthew’s App, MemoryFiler

MemoryFiler on Facebook

How To Find Mnemonic Imagery ANYWHERE (MMM Blog)

3 POWERFUL Elaborative Encoding Memory Exercises (MMM Blog)

4 Powerful Ways to Use the Pegword Method [10 Examples Included] (MMM Blog)

3 Blazing Fast Ways To Increase Memory Retention (MMM Blog)

The post Memory Palace Software: Matthew Snow on Using MemoryFiler appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

Martin Faulks On The Memory Palace In The Masonic Tradition

Have you ever thought about how improving your memory can improve your life? Not just surface level, daily routine improvements, but really transform who you are as a person? 

Did you even realize that memory training makes personal improvement possible?

Or do you limit memory improvement in your mind as merely a tool for remembering dentist appointments and names?

Well, here’s great news:

The art of memory goes far beyond showing up on time and not having to look down at name tags and desk plaques.

With practice, thorough memory training based on a scientifically sound application of the Memory Palace technique will radically transform you.

Not just your outward life and the things you do from day to day.

It will expand the limited notion of what you think your “self” to be.

This outcome isn’t just what the ancient gurus promised, but also the same kind of results respected neuroscientists like Sam Harris are actively promoting in our time.

How is this possible, you ask?

My guest today is memory expert Martin Faulks. He’s also an expert in the field of meditation.

 

Complimenting his mediation and memory training experiences, Martin’s a martial artist, yoga teacher, and author of over half a dozen books on subjects such as enlightened living and tai chi. His newest book, A Mosaic Palace: Freemasonry and the Art of Memory explores the link between the ancient tradition of memory techniques and the secretive fraternal organization, the Freemasons.

But Martin also takes on fun and unique memory challenges. For example, check out this interested memory demonstration:

You really can incorporate fun activities with personal self-development.

To that end, Martin and I explore memory as an internal transformative art that can change the very core of our being. Martin argues that while in antiquity inner transformation through memory was a common practice, too much of this tradition it has been lost in our modern age. The secret then to restoring this idea lies in your approach to committing to the techniques themselves with carefully chosen goals.

The best part?

It’s possible to have that transformation with a bit of guidance because the keys are already within you. What you seek is attainable, and it is within your means to take control of your own life.

Whether you suffer from anxiety, unhealthy coping mechanisms, constantly feel a sense of failure when it comes to interpersonal relationships, or you find yourself sabotaging your own success you can benefit from the advice Martin so freely gives in our conversation.

All you have to do is click play to learn about:

Memory training and the potential for learning leading to inner transformation (and how what you put into your consciousness can change who you are).
How the Renaissance caused the art of memory to become a path of cultivation of virtue instead of simply utilitarian
How Memory Palaces are useful as a form of meditation
The impact of adaptive strategies on our personality and coping and life skills
The hidden ways your mind is trying to help you
The method in which you learn something affects how easy it is for you to reference it
Why the church banned texts like the Ars Notoria as a “sorcery version of memory”
How the memory method of corporeal similitudes is the most powerful way to create associations for memory
The debate about whether Sherlock Holmes is a figure to look up to (otherwise known as a hero of an extra level of functioning) to when it comes to memory goals
Comparing and contrasting memory and sorcery, and memory palaces and magic circles
Why Giordano Bruno was a memory master and “terrible” teacher
The differences in the definition of a memory master according to various cultures

After listening to this interview, you might be wondering…

Should You Read A Mosaic Palace By Martin Faulks?

In my view, absolutely.

Anyone serious about the memory improvement tradition owes it to themselves to read as much about mnemonics as they can.

It’s not just about you, as you’ll discover today. It’s about everyone’s role in preserving knowledge for the good of the whole.

The number of ideas you discover when you focus on continuous study will impact your practice.

A Mosaic Palace provides historical insight and diagrams that you can translate into powerful Memory Palace training exercises.

For example, Martin’s book inspired me to rethink some of my previously held notions about how the method of loci was used in the past.

Few memory books combine history, philosophy and technique directed at self-realization. In a world cluttered by competition-based books, A Mosaic Palace is a breath of fresh air.

Plus, Martin has more exciting contributions coming. I also can’t wait to read The Hermetic Art of Memory by Alexander Dicsone.

The adventure never ends!

Further Resources on the Web, this podcast, and the MMM Blog:

Martin Faulks on YouTube

Martin’s official website

Scott Gosnell Talks about Giordano Bruno (MMM Blog)

How to Memorize Like Sherlock Holmes with a Mind Palace (MMM Blog)

How to Train Your Memory By Phil Chambers (Book review)

Memory Craft (Discussion with Lynne Kelly)

The post Martin Faulks On The Memory Palace In The Masonic Tradition appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

3 Kinds of Neurobics for BETTER Memory Boosts And Brain Exercise

Have you done any cross fit training or heavy lifting with your brain lately? If not, you need neurobics.

Why?

Well, for one thing, this special form of mental exercise makes your ability to focus and concentrate a lot sharper.

On this page, I’ll show you what they are and how this special form of brain fitness can help your mental life thrive.

I’ve broken the kinds of neurobics into 3 categories and will share 15 kinds of exercises you can try.

Make sure to bookmark this page and come back to it often each time you want more ideas for getting the benefits of this most powerful form of brain fitness.

Neurobics Defined:

Memory Boosting Routines That Pack Small And Play Big

Neurobics are activities, or mental (cognitive) exercises that stimulate the brain, prevent memory loss, and improve memory recall. 

Just as physical exercise stimulates the muscles, so the muscle of the brain is stimulated with neurobic exercise. We all are familiar with the benefits of aerobic exercise to the heart and the lungs, but we often overlook the benefits of neurobics to strengthening of neurons and neuronal networks. The association here is so simple, and yet so often ignored.

In sum, neurobics comprehensively stimulate different areas of the brain.

Why A Fit Brain Is The Best Way To Preserve Memory

Neurobics, when practiced consistently, have the power to prevent memory loss.

How?

Memory loss comes from atrophy of the brain. In the same way that bone density goes down and muscles shrink with no training, so the brain can become deteriorated with no stimulation. This is why neurobics are so important, not only for your memory goals now, but in the future, years to come.

Neurobics can also potentially improve memory recall.

That means regular mental fitness is the best line of defense and the best compliment to a memory training system.

While neurobics will not improve your memory in the same way as a laser-targeted, focused memory improvement practice, the element of discipline neurobics can bring are a perfect companion to tools like Memory Palace training techniques.

From Better Mood To Laser Sharp Focus:

Brain Benefits On Tap

Besides the benefits to your brain and memory, incorporating neurobic exercise into your life can improve your mood, focus, memory, and mindset.

Do you want to be in a better mood?

We all do, don’t we?

In fact, no one wants to dredge through their day, dreading the next one to come when their head hits the pillow at night. That’s no way to live, if you can even call that living.

Brain stimulation through neurobics creates blood flow. Because feelings and physiology are inextricably linked this circulatory response that accompanies neurobic exercise can trigger feelings of joy.

Neurobic exercises are based on the idea of focus, making a conscious effort to perform tasks that have been, essentially, automated by our brains. With this “focus on focus” with simple activities we can, therefore, improve that focus.

The Link Between Neurobics and Memory Exercise

Neurobics also have the potential to improve your overall memory.

By performing the exercises I want to share with you on this page, your memory will be strengthened. By simply making the conscious effort in, essentially, mundane tasks, your brain is engaged and primed for incorporating more formal memory training exercises.

Finally, neurobics can help with one of the greatest struggles in modern-day society: negative self-talk.

We have all been guilty of weaponizing our own thoughts against ourselves.

We have no energy because we are constantly beating ourselves down, but neurobics can help you escape from the negative framework that has you trapped. A shift in focus, from belittling yourself for no good reason, to congratulating yourself for a job well done is possible, all with some unassuming, but powerful, exercises.

And let’s face it:

When you feel better, you have a better mindset. It’s just that simple.

The 3 Major Categories Of Effective Neurobic Exercise

Neurobics often include some kind of physical component, an environmental component, and auditory component. You will interact with the world, creating neuroplasticity in your mind, with these three major categories of neurobic exercise:

Category One: Physical Neurobic Exercise

Our brains are tailored towards efficiency, which is beneficial when we encounter a problem or new activity. We automatically problem solve, which is amazing, but these “same old, same old” routines do nothing for mental development.

1.Non-dominant hand exercises with writing

One of the most obvious examples of this shortcut in our brains is the concept of a dominant hand. Which hand do you unconsciously pick up a fork with? How about waving to a friend across a crowded room? The hand that you use for daily activities without even so much of a thought is considered to be your dominant hand.

In neurobics the most beneficial physical neurobic exercise is non-dominant hand development.

Just switch up your daily activities and use your “opposite” hand. This will bring a mindfulness and pause so that you must actually stop and think about the activity you are engaged in.

Start small with brushing your teeth with the opposite hand. This is just a small, almost minuscule change that can bring a different sensation to an obligatory, automatic morning routine.

For more of a challenge try to write with your non-dominant hand. I discovered I was a bit ambidextrous in this sense. Working as a professor it would bring me joy to, instead of physically moving to a new spot on the blackboard, to simply switch hands.

You can incorporate this technique into your memory journal as well. Try to do your gratitude journaling and general personal development goal-setting with your non-dominant hand, or try writing from right to left, instead of left to right.

Don’t worry if it’s sloppy at first. With practice your penmanship will improve. Instead, really focus on the goal of giving different parts of your brain different exercise.

Plus, you can apply this kind of journaling to language learning as well.

This minor change can have major impact. You are increasing your focus on the content. Form and content will come together, and your focused attention makes you pay greater attention to what you’re doing, which gives it more meaning, more impact, and because you’re activating more of your brain, this makes your thoughts much more likely to be translated into action.

2. Non-dominant hand music exercises

If you are a musician, make changes in your playing. If you are a bass player and tend to play the higher tones with your left hand, try switching hands. At first you may want to simply cross your body, before moving onto something more complex. From here you can build your skills to eventually playing left-handed if you normally play right-handed with 10 to 15 minutes of consistent, daily practice.

3. Playing card non-dominant exercises

If music’s not your bag, perhaps cardistry or legerdemain. I practice both myself:

 

Everyone loves a good card trick that leaves the crowd wondering “Now how did he do that?”

To this end, I’ve trained myself to do magic tricks with my non-dominant hand and shuffles with my non-dominant hand. In standard practice think of mirrored tricks that take both hands to operate equally. You can build your skillset for dual handed tricks by using your non-dominant hand.

5. Neurobic exercises with your mouth

You can also use your tongue in neurobic exercise. Because “the tongue and lips are among the most sensitive parts of the body, even more sensitive than the fingertips,” the benefits to using these muscles in neurobics is paramount.

6. Ear Pinch Squats

Finally, try ear pinch squats. I know it sounds wild, but you are incorporating movement and function in several muscle groups, and we know this has palpable benefits.

Think back to the idea of cross training. Try crossing your arms, pinching your ears, then go into a squat. You can build this practice by upping your squat reps, or holding the squat longer, like a chair pose in yoga.

Category Two: Environmental Neurobic Exercise

Move beyond your personal motor skills and take your practice to the world around you.

7. Eyes closed navigation exercise

Take a familiar, unobstructed area, and walk through it to a destination of your own choosing with your eyes closed. If you are in an apartment, step off the elevator, or out of the stairwell and walk down the hallway with your eyes closed.

8. The key exercise

You can increase the challenge with the eyes closed key exercise.

Everything, from getting out of the elevator, walking to your front door, getting out your keys, identifying the key that’s needed, putting the key into the keyhole, turning the key to unlock the door, opening the door, stepping inside, and closing the door, can, with, practice, be done with your eyes closed.

You’ll find your spatial recognition and your other senses will be in a heightened sense of awareness, all by removing sight from the equation.

9. Eyes closed showering

When you’re in the shower you are creating a diffuse in mental environment, really, without realizing it. This is why a lot of creative ideas come in the shower, due to your mind wandering.  

Maximize your focus and concentration by letting this natural mind wandering occur while showering at the best possible time of day, mornings. You can even try cold showering, breathing, chanting, and Wim Hof techniques in tandem with eyes closed showering for an even greater boost!

10. Eyes closed eating

Another exercise that is easy to incorporate multiple times a day is eyes closed eating. You will experience a different tactile sensation, experience, and different sounds.

Food may even taste different, better. We often do not focus on the act of eating itself as we are distracted by our environment.

With eyes closed eating you can appreciate what’s on your plate more by consciously separating the environment from your nourishment, separating outside noise from chewing and the sensations of eating in your body from the sensations of the environment, such as other diners walking past in a restaurant. You will be more in the moment, and therefore appreciate the act of eating more.

11. Take different routes

Finally, try changing your micro routes.

With minor changes en route to your destination you make your journey an experience. You will find, if you take notice, that you walk down the street the exact same way daily. What about just circling a mailbox for no other reason than to change the micro route?

Circle a street sign, clockwise one time and counterclockwise the next. Engage in your travel by injecting a bit of play into your routine. If you rely on public transit and are looking to expand this idea of course change, leave the house earlier and take a different route, or on Google Maps select the “avoid highways” option in traveling to your destination.

Category Three: Auditory Neurobic Exercise
12. Tracking individual instruments

Instrument tracking incorporates the sense of hearing, or active listening, into neurobics. Try listening to a song, only listening to one particular instrument throughout. Isolate one instrument and follow it through the song, or throughout a favorite album. The next play through follow the rhythm guitar if you were tuned into the bass, or the lead guitar if you were listening for the drums.

13. Reading exercises

Try reading either ultra-slow or ultra-fast out loud. You are incorporating the physical sensation of moving your mouth and tongue, exercising those muscles, but, at the same time, exercises your focus of hearing as you articulate the words audibly. You can even study auctioneers and their techniques for ultra-fast speech as auditory neurobics. 

14. Covering the beat

Try setting a metronome to a certain beats per minute and try to “cover” the click with clapping or snapping. Practice with setting the clicks farther apart, then closer, varying the speed as you build your rhythmic skills. This is beneficial not only to musicians, but anyone who wants to improve their auditory and motor focus.

This brain exercise can be hard to imagine, so please check out this video for a demonstration:

 

15. Breath counting

Finally, count breaths out loud.

This exercise requires no equipment, no outside stimulus, and can be done anywhere. T

ry either breathing, counting, one, breath, two, another breath, three, or audibly counting “one, two, three” as you are breathing.

Focused breathing, concentrating solely on your own breath, can transform not only these small, conscious moments, but your overall life, reducing anxiety, pain, and even muscle tension relief. Make the unconscious a conscious act.

Your Next Steps

Start small with just one of the neurobic exercises and commit to putting it into action. Set a realistic goal for practice, whatever that looks like for you. Maybe “I’m gonna do this neurobic exercise every day for a week,” if that is an attainable, yet challenging goal for you. Whatever it is, commit, with intention.

Then, simply, execute to completion. If you say you will do the exercise for a week, for seven days actually do it.

Then pick another exercise and repeat. Try for a loftier goal, a longer time period of daily practice, or a shorter time period with multiple daily exercises. You know what is a challenge for you and what is right for your life. Find the benefits in changing up your routine and relish them. You’ll find this is the best motivation for continued practice.

To help those serious about ongoing mental fitness, I created the Brain Exercise Bootcamp. It includes 40 special brain exercises designed to do just that: help you continuously enjoy the benefits of regular mental fitness.

Consistency is important because these exercises changing your brain structure.

That’s what action does. You can’t see the world in a particular way if you’re not taking action. Your perspective can’t change. You can’t shine light into the darkness if you’re not moving.

And, for better or worse, you’ve got to keep moving.

Of course, I know uncertainty about what’s gonna happen can be horrible. But if you do a reality check, and just let go of the need to know what will happen, then you’re going to have much, much better results in life.

This is an important fact because you can’t know anyway. Even if someone could say “This is exactly what’s gonna happen. This is exactly when it’s gonna happen. This is exactly how it’s gonna happen,” it’s not true until it happens to you. And because you cannot know and will not know, what you need to do is you need to just take action anyway, no matter what happens.

Start small and be ready to grow. Just as athletes expands their litheness with cross training, you can take small steps and conscious effort to expand your focus, concentration, and improve your memory, and life. It takes just seconds to take that next step.

The post 3 Kinds of Neurobics for BETTER Memory Boosts And Brain Exercise appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

How Mike McKinley Memorized 66 Psalms WITHOUT A Memory Palace

Do you struggle with the Memory Palace technique to complete large learning goals?

For example, have you always wanted to memorize a substantial body of scripture, but…

Kept putting it off?

I know, I know…

We all have something in our life that continuously gets pushed to the bottom of our never-ending to-do list…

We all say “I’ll eventually get around to it”…

We’re all guilty of never making moves to cross that item off our list.

And yet…

My guest for this podcast, Mike McKinley, has managed to AVOID that mistake when it came to making steps toward completing one MASSIVE goal.

Mike is an alumni of the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. He is also an electrical engineer and specialist in the area of radio frequencies.

On top of those duties, Mike is a husband, father, seminary graduate, and full-time employee. Using the memory techniques he’s learned from the MMM Masterclass, he completed a three-year seminary course and memorized 66 chapters of the Psalms (and counting)!

So if you’re intimidated by the idea of undertaking an entire course to improve your memory…

If you feel as though you don’t have the time to commit in an already packed schedule…

Or you think, “How could I ever memorize something so lengthy?”…

Just click play on the button above now and learn from Mike all about:

Why information is easier to remember in story form
The reason early Christians memorized the scriptures
Why recitation is an important memory improvement exercise
How actors and memory students are one and the same
The way manufacturing “spoiled us” with uniformity
The importance of small memorization goals and practicing the loci method when taking on large learning projects
The role of visualization exercises in memorization 
The role of compounding or compressing in memorization 
A tip on how to “reuse” celebrities, like actors, multiple times as symbols in memory work
The way long-form memorization is like running a marathon
The reason dogma has no place in the world of memory training and why memory is a creative event

Of course, you might be thinking…

What if I Want To Memorize Scripture In Another Language?

No problem!

Check out this incredible success story from one of Mike’s fellow Magnetic Memory Method students:

 

 

(For more success stories, please visit the Magnetic Memory Method review page.)

Like Jeannie, I also use a Memory Palace for memorizing scripture in other languages.

Here’s a demonstration and discussion of how I make it work with a Sanskrit text called Ribhu Gita:

What’s the secret to this memory method?

Easy:

Take it one S.I.P. at a time:

Study memory techniques

Implement what you learn progressively so you improve your…

Practice (daily is best)

It really doesn’t get any easier than that, and the outcomes of having scripture in your mind and heart are profound.

Dive in!

Further Resources on the Web, this podcast, and the MMM Blog:

How to Memorize Scripture And Verse Numbers In 5 Minutes Or Less (MMM Blog)

The Good, The Bad & The Wicked Charlatans of Vocabulary Memorization

3 POWERFUL Elaborative Encoding Memory Exercises (MMM Blog)

4 Powerful Ways to Use the Pegword Method [10 Examples Included] (MMM Blog)

12 Brain Exercises To Improve Memory (Step-By-Step Tutorial) (MMM Blog)

How Do You Choose What Bible Passages to Memorize?

The post How Mike McKinley Memorized 66 Psalms WITHOUT A Memory Palace appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

Semantic Memory: An Example-Driven Definition And How To Improve It

Did you have toast and eggs for breakfast while reading the newspaper?

Well, even if the answer is no, check this out:

The fact that you know and recognize objects like toast, eggs, and newspaper (without being told each time) is the working of your semantic memory.

However, recalling that you had toast and eggs for breakfast yesterday is part of your episodic memory (more about that later).

In this post, I’ll explain what is semantic memory and why is it important, how is it formed and how can you improve it.

Here’s what I’ll cover:

What is Semantic Memory?
History of its Discovery
Is it Different from Episodic Memory?
A Brief Deep Dive into Types of Memory
Why Is Semantic Memory Important?
What Affects Semantic Memory?
How are Semantic Memories Formed?
How to Improve This Kind of Memory?
Higher Attentiveness = Improved Memory

What is Semantic Memory?

Semantic memory is the structured record of facts, ideas, meanings, and concepts about the world that we accumulate throughout our lives and our capacity to recollect this knowledge at will. It is part of your long-term memory. 

The breadth of information stored in the semantic memory can range from historical and scientific facts, details of public events, and mathematical equations to the knowledge that allows us to identify objects and understand the meaning of words.

For instance, understanding what the word “memory” means is part of your semantic memory.

Semantic memory is independent of the context of learning and personal experiences like how we felt at the time the event was experienced or situational properties like time and place of gaining the knowledge.

The level of consciousness associated with semantic memory is noetic because it is independent of context encoding and personal relevance. This was the finding of Endel Tulving in 1985.

For instance, you “know” that Mr. Darcy is a famous character from Pride and Prejudice, which is written by Jane Austen. 

You may have read the book, seen the movie or someone may have told you about this character and the author. How you acquired the knowledge and in which context is not essential. What is important is that your semantic memory stored that bit of information as general knowledge. 

You can now recall this bit of general knowledge whenever necessary independent of personal experience and of the space or time context in which it was acquired. That is the beauty of your semantic memory.

Usually, the recall semantic memory is automatic when particular information is prompted. However, there might be cases where you have to really think hard about certain facts stored in your semantic memory. 

Here are a few use examples of semantic memory:

Naming the state and capital city of your country correctly.
Knowing that trees give oxygen or fish swim in water .
Remembering your favorite drink or food or color.
Being able to understand what the other person is saying.
Knowing what the words you read mean.

The fact that this is a statue of Bruno in Rome is a semantic memory. My personal recollection of visiting it is an episodic memory.

History of Semantic Memory

Canadian experimental psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist Endel Tulving introduced the idea of semantic memory as a distinct memory system in 1972. 

Memory Expert Endel Tulving

Before Tulving, there had not been many in-depth studies or research in the area of human memory.

Tulving outlines these memory types in his book Elements of Episodic Memory. He notes that semantic and episodic differ in how they operate and the types of information they process.

Here’s Tulving’s definition:

Semantic memory is the memory necessary for the use of language. It is a mental thesaurus, organized knowledge a person possesses about words and other verbal symbols…

(Episodic and semantic memory, Tulving E & Donaldson W, Organization of Memory, 1972,  New York: Academic Press)

After Tulving, two other experiments noting the differences between episodic and semantic memories were conducted by Kihlstrom (1980) and Jacoby/Dallas (1981). 

The study by Jacoby and Dallas was the first to note that implicit memory does not rely on depth of processing as explicit memory does. (Jacoby LL, Dallas M. On the relationship between autobiographical memory and perceptual learning. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. 1981)

J.F. Kihlstrom’s study showed that a suggestion for posthypnotic amnesia produced impairments on episodic but not semantic memory tasks. (Kihlstrom, J. F. (1980). Posthypnotic amnesia for recently learned material: Interactions with “episodic” and “semantic” memory. Cognitive Psychology, 12(2), 227-251.)

These experiments paved the way for further investigation into semantic memory. 

However, it is only in the last 15 years where interest in semantic memory has greatly increased.

One of the reasons for this newfound interest is an improvement in neuroimaging methods like functional magnetic resonance imaging. These neuroimaging methods reveal that the brain does not have one specific region dedicated to semantic information. Semantic memory is organized throughout the brain.



It is now also known that semantic memory can be divided into separate visual categories such as size, color, and motion. Since specific parts of the brain are responsible for the retrieval of specific semantic memories, semantic memory can be divided into categories.

For instance, the parietal cortex retrieves semantic memories of size while the temporal cortex retrieves memories of color. (Explorable.com, Feb 2, 2011, Semantic Memory) 

Is it Different from Episodic Memory?

Absolutely.

Both semantic and episodic memories are part of your long-term memory and are known as declarative memory or explicit memory (memories that can be explained and declared). 

However, while an episodic memory involves the conscious recollection of specific events and experiences; semantic memory refers to the mere recollection of nuggets of factual knowledge collected since childhood. 

Confused?

Let me simplify it for you.

Episodic memory allows us to consciously recollect past experiences (Tulving, 2002), while semantic memories are devoid of information about personal experience. 

For example, to be able to recall what happened during the last football game that you attended is an episodic memory. However, “knowing” that football is a sport without ever watching a game is a semantic memory. 

Here’s another example:

When you say “summers in India are hot,” you are drawing that knowledge from your semantic memory.

But when you remember walking down the streets of Delhi on a summer afternoon, licking ice cream, you are drawing on episodic memory. 

A Brief Deep Dive Into Types of Memory

We cannot comprehend the entire concept of semantic memory without knowing a bit about the brain and different types of memory.

Our brain has three major components: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. The cerebrum – responsible for our memory, speech, the senses, and emotional response – is covered by the cerebral cortex (a sheet of neural tissue).

About 90% of our brain’s neurons are located in the cerebral cortex. This cortex is divided into four main regions or lobes –  frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe.  

Now, the part of the frontal lobe that plays an integral part in processing short-term memories and retaining long-term memories is known as the prefrontal cortex.

When we generally talk of “memory,” it is long-term memory.

However, there are two other memory processes – short-term memory (also called working memory) and sensory memory (it retains sensory information after the original stimuli have ended). These must be worked through before a lasting long-term memory can form. 

This model of memory works as a sequence of three stages from sensory to short-term to long-term memory and is known as the Atkinson-Shiffrin model after Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin who developed it in 1968. It is the most popular model for studying memory systems.

Now long-term memory can be further divided into explicit (or declarative) memory and implicit (or procedural) memory. 

Declarative memory or explicit memory is the type of memory that deals with facts and events. It refers to memories that are consciously recalled. Procedural memory or implicit memory is the type of memory that deals with how to do things – like riding a bike or playing the piano. 

Here’s a fascinating fact:

The hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and perirhinal cortex encode declarative memories. These are then consolidated and stored in the temporal cortex and other brain regions. Procedural memories, on the other hand, are encoded and stored in specific brain regions – cerebellum, putamen, caudate nucleus, and the motor cortex.

Declarative memory is further subdivided into semantic and episodic memories (now you know the context  of our brief deep dive into types of memory).

Another category of declarative memory known as the autobiographical memory, is similar to episodic memory in that both are personal memories from the past. However, while autobiographical memory is more general, for example, when you recall the street name of a house growing up, episodic memory is more specific to time.

Why Is Semantic Memory So Important?

We all need semantic memory to function smoothly in our daily lives. We use it every day to learn, retain, and retrieve new information. It is part of our cognition.

Children and teenagers use it to retain new information that they learn at home or in school, while adults need it to know the sequence of tasks necessary to do their job.

Without semantic memory, you wouldn’t know that the sky is blue or that birds can fly. Your concepts about time and space or meanings of emotions like love and hate are incorporated in your semantic memory.

If your semantic memory is damaged due to any type of disease such as Alzheimer’s disease, you may not be able to identify or name everyday objects, understand the concepts of liberty or know what the word “coffee” means.

There are many benefits to strengthening your semantic memory.

A stronger semantic memory would result in improved long-term memory in students – enabling them to do better in studies.

More importantly, strengthening your semantic memory would enable you to perform better in all aspects of your life without taking vitamins for memory.

How are Semantic Memories Formed?

We all learn new facts, tasks, or concepts from our personal experiences. So, in general, a semantic type of memory is derived from the episodic type of memory.

For example, when you learn a new piece of information, your short-term memory relays it to episodic memory. Initially, you remember the exact time or place where you gathered the information. 

However, over time a gradual transition from episodic to semantic memory takes place, where your association of a particular memory to a particular event or stimuli is reduced so that the information is then generalized in your working memory as semantic memory.

When it comes to the encoding process, both semantic and episodic memories have a similar process. 

However, semantic memory mainly activates the frontal cortex and temporal cortex, whereas episodic memory activity is concentrated in the hippocampus. The other areas of the brain involved in semantic memory use are the left inferior prefrontal cortex and the left posterior temporal area. 

Visual,  acoustic, and meaning are the three main types of encoding used to commit information to semantic memory. 

Individuals may encode information to semantic memory through pictures or reading words and numbers, by repeatedly hearing the information, or by connecting the information to something else that has meaning in the memory.

Different people have different learning styles. One person may do very well with visual aids. Another type of person may encode semantic memory through meaning or repetition. 

At the end of the day, there is no single route to semantic memory formation. But you can study better using mnemonics. Just make sure you don’t get into some of the issues we’ll discuss next.

What Affects Semantic Memory?

Some diseases and disorders may cause memory impairments in older adults. 

For instance, in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, there may be impairments or deficits in your short-term memory or working memory.

Kasper Bormans demonstrating what happens to a brain suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Notice the Memory Palace allusion.

However, as the disease progresses, patients experience more long-term memory loss and deficits, including erosion of episodic and semantic memory.

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty identifying objects or finding words to describe something. They may also suffer from impairments in their ability to recall significant events, such as weddings.

Other types of dementia can also affect short-term memory and long-term memory. For instance, a person with dementia of Alzheimer’s type can find it difficult to store information in the long-term memory, and also can have challenges with retrieval. 

Any damage to the medial temporal lobe that plays a critical role in acquiring and retrieving both semantic and episodic memories can also affect your semantic memory.

Studies have also been done on different effects that semantic dementia and herpes simplex virus encephalitis has on semantic memory (Lambon, Lowe, & Rogers, 2007). The study revealed that semantic dementia has a more generalized semantic impairment.

Moreover, amnesic patients also have great difficulty in retaining episodic and semantic information.

Your semantic memory function also is extremely susceptible to cerebral aging and neurodegenerative diseases. 

A neuropsychological evaluation can reveal how your brain functions. Neuropsychologists use neuropsychological tests to characterize behavioral and cognitive changes resulting from disorders of the central nervous system or injury, like Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders.

While you may not be able to protect your memory from all types of diseases, there are ways to improve your memory so that it doesn’t fall victim to age-related memory loss or dementia.

But don’t worry. As Nic Castle found, it’s possible to recover, even from ailments like PTSD.

How to Improve Semantic Memory?

Here are 3 simple ways to improve your semantic memory:

1. Magnetic Memory Method

The easiest and most powerful way to improve your semantic memory, as well as episodic memory, is by learning how to build Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method.

The Magnetic Memory Method Memory Palace approach is better for remembering and learning than something like mind mapping on its own.

It is an incredible combination of intelligence and memory strengthening tool. Combined with Recall Rehearsal, this holistic process lets you move information from short-term memory into long-term memory faster and with reliable permanence.

What’s more?

You can use all other memory methods inside of Memory Palace, however, you cannot use a Memory Palace inside other memory techniques. This unique approach maximizes the power of the loci method and combines nicely with the pegword method.

All that matters is that you don’t overthink the technique. We all learn it by doing it.

2. Exercise Your Brain

It is essential.

Exercising your brain regularly is the most effective strategy to improve memory and retention. 

Memory impairment or memory loss in older adults is common. However, there is a strong relationship between brain exercises and improved cognition and retrieval in older adults.

Numerous tools and exercises can help you to assess your memory and enhance it through games and training exercises. It is a known fact that the more you utilize your neural circuit, the stronger it will get. 

This fact can also be applied to numerous neural networks associated with contextual memory, auditory memory, visual memory, short-term memory, working memory, naming, and more. 

You can improve your skill of identifying the right word to use for a concept or an object by training the neural network in your brain accordingly.

Here’s a video that will inspire you to use memory techniques and treat them as the ultimate brain exercise. 

Brain Games [Memory Improvement Inspiration!]

 

3. Learn a New Language

When you learn a new language, it requires you to learn and expand new sentence structures, grammar rules, and vocabulary. 

Such activities ensure that your semantic memory is continuously being utilized and strengthened as you make progress with the new language. 

Here’s a video that helps you learn and memorize the vocabulary of any language.

Learn The Vocabulary of Any Language

 

Higher Attentiveness = Improved Memory

Your relationship with the world around you is dependent on your ability to learn and recall factual knowledge accurately. 

Being mindful of the things around you and paying attention when you come across new information is essential to creating long-term memories that can be recalled when necessary.

When you practice mindfulness in everyday activities, you are more attentive. Attentiveness, in turn, helps you encode information better in semantic memory.

Moreover, when you combine attentiveness with the Memory Palace method, your ability to retain and recall factual knowledge is stronger and faster.

If you are interested in the Memory Palace method, please don’t hesitate to get started. I want to help!

Now then, time for a quick test of your semantic memory:

Can you recall the name of the character in the novel I mentioned near the start of this article? 

You could, if only you devoted yourself to more memory training. Ready to get started? 

The post Semantic Memory: An Example-Driven Definition And How To Improve It appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

How To Stop Overthinking The Memory Palace Technique

Are you overthinking the Memory Palace technique?

If so, you’re interrupting your progress.

Worse, you’re delaying your ability to memorize information at lightning speed.

And no memory expert or memory champion wants that for you. That’s why we all keep working so hard for you to share in the miracle of life after you have the tools for memorizing anything.

On this page, I want to help you get out of the “analysis paralysis” problem.

If you take the right steps without getting caught in mental sand traps, I’m confident you can develop your first Memory Palace Network quickly and easily. If not, you risk having a skull that is still spinning its gears, having missed out on so much fun and adventure.

Ethical “scare tactics” aside, here’s another reason to read this page in full:

I want to help you escape overthinking overall. Having the tools to feel that something is complex and do it anyway is important because too much thinking has been proven to carry many ill effects.

The truth:

Thinking is involved in using the Loci Method, no doubt about it. But thinking without overthinking is achievable, and today you’ll learn precisely how.

How To Defeat The Over-thinker By Becoming A Mnemonic Mechanic

The first problem with overthinking is how it slows you down.

For example, imagine walking into a business meeting.

You meet three potential investors. , on the spot is pretty important, wouldn’t you say?

Well, you don’t have the luxury of time to overthink the situation.

Instead, you need a system in place so you can deal with those three names, without thinking about the technique to be able to memorize them. Everything should happen (almost) on autopilot. You just plug those names into your system and recall them effortlessly on demand.

Consider the mechanic and his toolbox.

A mechanic is so familiar with the contents of his toolbox that he knows exactly what he needs for each job. He knows which tool can perform which function and in which instance he would use each one. He just knows when he needs a 10mm socket or a flathead vs. a Philips screwdriver.

Memory techniques can be these tools in the toolbox of your mind. What’s the key to the mechanic’s innate knowing?

Two words:

Preparation and practice.

Prepare Your “Mental Lego” Before You Need It

The speed of making associations in your Memory Palaces comes from not having to think about the technique and how it works.

How is this possible?

Easy:

The “thinking” part is already done before you need to use any of the tools. Your “in the moment” thinking is minimal. 

It’s just like being a mechanic who has the right tools in the toolbox so he can perform the job onsite without a passing thought.

So, what are the tools you need? If nothing else, I suggest you develop:

A Memory Palace Network
At least one alphabet list/celebrity list
The Major Method/Major System

Think of the Memory Palace as a foundational field. The “Magnetic Imagery” of your lists and systems are the “Mental Logo” that you plug into place.

For example, if you meet someone named Rose and you put Axel Rose on her shoulder, Rose is the Memory Palace and Axl Rose is the Mental Logo.

If you have Axl Rose doing something memorable using the Magnetic Modes, then he becomes a Magnetic Image.

When you have these three components ready to go and practiced, you’ll be prepared to perform, every time the need arises.

Let’s look further at each tool.

How To Master The Memory Palace

The Memory Palace, like a hammer, is the most basic of tools. Every toolbox has a hammer. Every memory technique arsenal has a Memory Palace Network.

What is this network?

26 Memory Palaces, one based on each letter of the alphabet. Would you like some videos and worksheets that walk you through how to develop this powerful system?

Mastery of the technique seems to occur about halfway between creating all 26 and filling each with approximately 10 pieces of information each.

Anything less just isn’t leading you to the “Magnetic” effect I have in mind for you.

Skeptical about this techniques? No worries. Here’s the science behind why this memory technique works so well.

Enter The Alphabet List

Some people may call the alphabet list by another name, such a celebrity list, bestiary or “sun list.” No matter what you call it, the principle is generally the same.

An alphabet list is simple a list of figures that you’re able to draw upon that you have figured out in advance. It’s not unlike one of the four pegword systems out there. 

Your Memory Palace Network can help to generate your alphabet list. Here’s how:

If you have one Memory Palace with 26 Magnetic Stations, place one Magnetic Image on each station in alphabetical order.

Remember Axl Rose?

He’s a perfect ‘A’ figure for station one of this Memory Palace.

How about Bill Murray for ‘B’? Christian Bale for C?

(Now, I know what you might be thinking:

“Didn’t he just use Axl Rose for Rose? Is he an ‘A’ or an ‘R’?!?”

My friend, I’d be dumbing this down too much if I didn’t tell you the truth:

Every Magnetic Image with a first and last name can be both. Is that too hard to grasp? 

If so, I suggest you catch yourself, because it really isn’t that difficult. Every shoe lace is one shoe lace, but we still make two ears to tie a single bow, if you catch my drift.) 

Go ahead and try this by simply writing out A-Z on a sheet of paper and filling in 26 celebrities.

Seriously:

Just get a pencil and some paper and make it happen.

Then, the next time you have to memorize something, look at the first letter of the information and use your “Magnetic Image” to help you.

This simple Celebrity List took 2.5 minutes to create. In medieval times, mnemonists called this technique the “Bestiary” and would have used primarily animals that symbolized concepts with which they were deeply familiar.

For example, I memorized a Chinese word yesterday that had ‘Z’ for the first syllable and ‘G’ for the second. I saw Zorro playing Sega Genesis, guided by several of my lists.

Should you create several lists?

Yes! Having more than one list is essential if you want to become a human mnemonics dictionary (recommended).

But there’s a catch:

Although you want fixed references that you draw upon, you also want flexibility.

For example, I might meet someone name Rose, but perhaps Axl Rose won’t appear that day (for whatever reason).

For that reason, I’ll want to be able to spontaneously come up with another, equally powerful version option.

How?

By practicing creating lists. That’s what makes it easy to come up with mnemonic examples spontaneously when something from your lists doesn’t appear.

Why The Major System Simplifies Everything

(Even If It Appears Difficult At First)

Let me be blunt:

Everyone needs a technique in place for number memorization.

Although the Dominic System is a strong option, I’ve always preferred the Major.

In case you’re not familiar with these terms, both help you transform numbers into sounds that you can turn into words. The grid you need to memorize is this:

 

Once you’ve got this in your mind, it takes just a bit of practice to spontaneously generate words for numbers.

For example, I might think of “chuck” when I need to remember the number 67.

However, remember the principle of preparation.

As with the alphabet list, it’s far better to have all of your possible characters ready in advance.

A list based on either the Major System or the Dominic System is often called a 00-99 list or a P.A.O. (Person, Action, Object.)

This is where you might think…

I thought you told me not to overcomplicate this process!

And you’d be right, which is why I suggest beginners focus only on the grid listed above in the beginning. I used it with no problems for a few years before assigning a character to each two-digit number combination.

It takes four minutes to memorize if you just notice a few things about each association:

D and T both have a single downstroke that looks like the digit 1.
N has two downstrokes, and Noah took the animals onto the ark in pairs.
M has three downstrokes, and looks like a mustache or McDonalds logo on its side.
R looks kind of like a rounded 4, but it’s facing the wrong direction.
L is exactly the shape you’ll see your left hand thumb and forefinger make if you hold it out in front of you.
Ships kind of look like the number 6 if they’re tipped on their side… especially if they’re hauling jars filled with chip.
K is kind of like two 7s lying on top of each other.
F and V are produced by making the same basic shape with your lips. Go “vroom” for a few minutes while thinking about a V8 engine.
B and P either contain or look pretty much like the number 9.

Don’t make it more complicated than this – because it isn’t.

Practice until you’ve got it down pat and then start listing your words. Here are some tips for that:

Next, practice memorizing real world numbers:

Go to the store and memorize the prices of the items you see.

Commit historical dates of movies to memory, or even the release dates of your favorite artist’s discography.

Whatever numbers are important and applicable to your life, make those your learning goal. Use these Memory Palace examples to help you understand how to store the imagery.

 

Practice Makes Progress

Once you have your tools in place, what next?

Easy:

You must practice “snapping” your Mental Lego together. Your Magnetic Imagery has been doubled checked and organized. All the heavy lifting is done.

But seriously, where do you start?

Here’s what I suggest:

Names are the most essential information on the planet.

Why?

Because every piece of information, every item, every action and every place is assigned a name.

Even better:

There are several low-pressure, low-stress memory exercises that let you practice name memorization.

Try this:

Go through your CDs at home, or your records, or your tapes, if you still have tapes, and then think “Do I know every member in this band?” If not, practice with these names in the comfort of your living room. 

If you like movies, you can work with movies.

For example, you can go through movie collection and think “Okay, what are the directors of these movies?” 

What’s important about these kinds of practices is they’re all low stress. You’re not going into a room and memorizing a bunch of names and only stressing yourself out.

But when you’re ready for the challenge, go into restaurants and memorize the names of staff members. If you make a mistake, don’t worry about. They’ll forget all about it and you can analyze what went wrong with your Magnetic Imagery and Memory Palace strategy. 

The Power Of Practicing With Vocabulary and Phrases

Once you have a firm grasp of names, you can practice vocabulary and phrases.

You can either search out a Random Name Generator on Google, or take the exercise analog with a real dictionary if you want to avoid digital amnesia.

For phrases, this is where a larger memorization project comes in. Is there a particular famous speech you want to memorize, a poem, or other text? Break the entire piece down, phrase by phrase, and apply your memorization tools to this exercise.

Why This Time Commitment Pays Huge Dividends

You might be asking, “How long should all of this take?”

It’s an okay question, but not the best one.

The reality is that only you hold the answer for how long memory mastery will take. After all, your definition of “good” may differ wildly from another person’s, depending on how laid back your practice is, or how many perfectionist tendencies you possess.

But let me be direct based on nearly a decade of teaching these skills:

On average, within two to five hours, most people have all of the tools we’ve talked about on this page covered.

Compared to other fields, this is only the amount of time it would take to:

Run a marathon.
Cook a stellar three course meal.
Assemble a dresser from Ikea.

Isn’t your memory worth this truly insignificant amount of time?

Sure, it’s a couple of hours. But that’s not a huge time commitment considering the lifelong value you get out of the tools.

Plus, the development of your systems is as important as the systems themselves. It really all comes down to finding a starting point.

The Secret To Just Getting Started

If you don’t know where to start, you need to come up with a learning goal. What is it you would like to achieve? What would you like to accomplish? If you can figure that out, then the starting point will become clear.

Here are some further tips on setting goals and crafting a Magnetic Vision Statement:

Take the time to set a proper course, and you will be rewarded with focus.

But don’t just settle for goals.

Build the systems that enable you to make steady progress towards accomplishing those goals. It’s about bringing vision and step-by-step planning together. Speaking of which, here are…

Your Next Steps

Once you have your starting point and the desire for creating your own systems, complete your first Memory Palace and Celebrity List. As we discussed, your Memory Palace will help you to memorize all the other tools. Consider developing these tools both the first and most important step.

With these tools in place your next step is to choose a meaningful learning project.

My suggestion:

Learn and practice these memory tools with something that will improve your life:

What will lead to a promotion at your job?
What doors will learning a new language open for you?
What skills can you learn that will truly transform your life?

In sum, you will learn way more by doing and reflecting, than just overthinking the process in advance.

Think of it this way:

If you are tasked with walking a mile, what is the only thing that causes you to travel that distance?

Putting one foot in front of the other.

Listen:

Don’t stress yourself out over these techniques. 

And don’t let your need for “success” stop you from taking action.

Need a “guaranteed” outcome is the biggest flaw of overthinking. It’s the worst kind of overthinking and leads far too many people to a standstill. Overthinking leads paralysis analysis, which is like being caught by the dark side.

And that is something we should all use the “force” of memory to resist.

The post How To Stop Overthinking The Memory Palace Technique appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

Loci Method: 9 PRACTICAL Memory Palace Practice Tips

Are you intimidated by the idea of building your own Memory Palace using the loci method?

After all, the word “palace” brings to mind an elaborate dwelling. 

It’s huge. 

And complicated, right?

It doesn’t have to be that way. 

Just think of the phrase “Memory Palace” or “Mind Palace” as a name that helps you cherish the knowledge you put into it. It’s not really about the place itself.

And the term “loci method” really just means that we’re turning space itself into a mnemonic device. I think of this memory tool as a “location-based mnemonic.”

Personally, whenever I get stuck on how to best use the technique, I mind map out as many method of loci examples as I can.

But on this page, I want to go further. 

I want to help you learn the loci method well and build your first Memory Palace Network in a way that is completely stress-free.

That’s why I’ve put together these nine practical tips that will help you practice the technique once you’ve learned it.

Let’s dive in.

#1: Learn To Use The Loci Method Simply

This means exactly what you think.

No clickbait here. Just keep it simple.

Don’t overcomplicate or overthink the Memory Palace technique.

It’s easy to overthink and analyze, of course. It’s in our nature, right? Well, we can still scrub it out. Here’s some help:

 

#2: Add Complexity As Your Skills Grow

Just because we want to keep things simple, doesn’t mean we’re going to stand still. 

Although you use of the method of loci should be simple in the beginning, naturally adding complexity as your skills grow is important.

For example, your first simple Memory Palace of your childhood bedroom can grow to include:

Your entire home
Your block
The walk to school
The drive to work
Churches, cafes, art galleries
Other Memory Palace examples

But before you expand, you’ve got to get good with just one Memory Palace.

That means starting with your existing competence. Don’t overcomplicate things.

With practice you will see that there are some places where simplicity will always rule and complexity is not desirable.

Ever heard of the phrase, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should?”

That’s a great rule of thumb to keep in mind when using this memory method.

#3: Use Different Sized Journeys

Once you have grown your practice to where you have built several Memory Palaces, you’ll want to have a way of linking them together, right? This is where the Method of Loci, or journey method comes in. 

Consider this:

You’re planning a road trip to a big music festival several hours away.

You can take several routes to get there.

You want to get there as quickly as possible, to get your tent set up, your campsite secure, so you won’t miss any of the bands on the lineup. You’re not wasting any time between loading up your car and pulling up to the front gate. 

Then on the way back you need some time to decompress. You’ve spent four days in a field, listening to the biggest names in music from sun up to well past sundown. You’re not in a hurry to get back to the “real world.”

You take the scenic route home, stopping at greasy spoon diners and tourist traps along the way. You make a game of it by telling Google Maps to “avoid highways” even.

Both these routes got you from point A to point B (or B to A as the case may be) but they were significantly different. They had a different purpose. Think of your journeys linking your memory palaces in this same way. You have shorter and longer journeys, more complex and simpler journeys, all to serve you differently.

#4: Use White Space

“Less is more.”

While it can be useful to have very condensed Memory Palaces, and those memory palaces can be filled and overloaded with tons of stations, it can also be very beneficial to see what happens when you have less. Try working in a manner that’s spaced out, instead of overloaded.

You can apply this idea to not only your Memory Palaces, but what you encode in them. Memorize less, encode less, and see if you’re able to have more recall from focusing on fewer pieces of information. 

The goal is to avoid the “Dr. Faust effect.”

The legend of Faust warns us against a downfall caused by a greed for all knowledge. He was unsatisfied with a mastery, law, logic, science and theology, and turned to the dark arts, where he eventually was damned as he sold his soul to Mephistopheles.

Instead of just collecting information, never satiated, why not be satisfied with the big ideas, having an appreciation of the white space? You’ll find that your mind actually will fill in the blanks and you don’t need that overload of information. The white space will take care of itself.

#5: Complete Both Short Term And Long Term Projects

To keep your practice fresh, have both short and long term projects you are working towards.

A classic short term project is to have a daily run through of memorizing playing cards. Keep a deck handy (maybe beside your coffee pot in the morning, or near your reading nook) so you can shuffle and memorize a handful in your downtime.

For a longer term project, this may be learning a new language or memorizing a collection of poetry.

Toggling these two projects will keep you from becoming bored and burnt out with a singular goal. 

#6: Explore Indoor vs. Outdoor Memory Palace Options

As you move toggle between short and long term projects, explore using indoor and outdoor Memory Palaces for your memory journeys.

As an alternative to viewing your memory tools as simply one large Memory Palace, what if you thought of it as a collection of smaller memory palaces?

Okay, Kevin… Not that far outside!

For example, a home is a collection of room, a room a collection of areas and corners. A park can be seen as a playground area, hiking trail, community pool.

(Or you can skydive and wander your Memory Palaces like Kevin Richardson does while using Recall Rehearsal for learning Japanese with mnemonics.)

Be flexible and bring a sense of playfulness to creating your Memory Palaces. They will be far more beneficial as living and growing entities instead of a static, fixed creation.

For more on outdoor Memory Palaces, check out my discussion with Lynne Kelly on the craft of memory.

#7: Understand That Memory Pales Are Pegs To Which You Can Add Pegs

Think of your Memory Palaces as pegs to which you can add pegs, or spaces to which you can add pegs.

When people first get started with memory techniques they may see these tools as mutually exclusive, instead of elements that can be used in partnership.

Yet, the Peg System works exactly how you would imagine, pegging or linking one thing to another. Building upon what you do know, you connect the new information to it in your mind. 

(No, peg system is not that different from the pegword method, but it’s worth exploring both.)

#8: Persist with S.I.P.

Now even though I’ve broken down mastery of the Method of Loci down to nine simple tips, it may not always be easy peasy. You will be faced with challenges along the way. There’s just no getting around it. Success with these methods is not about not having those setbacks, but that you know how to deal with them. 

And one of the best ways to deal with those challenges is to make sure you have a good library of memory training.

Use all of the information you have available to you. Utilize it constantly and consistently. Take S.I.P. to heart: 

S = Study the techniques for yourself consistently over time

I = Implement what you learn from you study of memory techniques and its tradition.

P = Practice these techniques with information that improves your life.

Be ever vigilant in tweaking your practice and improving it. As Nicholas Castle found, this practice can release you from some big problems in life, as it did with his PTSD. 

#9: Keep A Memory Journal

Finally, keep a memory journal. It is crucial to have a place, a record of what you’re doing, how you’re doing it. Only then are you able to proceed and know where you’re going if you know where you’ve come from.

Although you could use something like Evernote for better memory journaling, I personally don’t see the attraction.

Instead, consider going back to “keep it simple.”

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, just start with just one of the tips on this page.

See how implementing it improves the ease and speed of which you can create memory palaces and progress through the Method of Loci.

Mix and match these principles to maximize your efforts and you’ll see just how effortless the process can be with practice over time. Then move on to these more advanced Memory Palaces training exercises. 

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