Terry Lloyd's Blog, page 60
April 7, 2014
How good is your memory?
A good time after leaving school I started to worry about my memory. You have guessed it.
I got a book about improving my memory. I was surprised the methods are so simple and it made me wonder why memory training is not part of the curriculum at school. I have summarised the methods into Active Recall. If you do not alter or associate what you want to remember it will just fade away. Once you have activated what you want to remember you must see it in your minds eye.
The memory works better if you make what you want to remember outrageous in some way. Size, number, in place of, or moving. Also the more times you see the item in your minds eye it will be easier to recall.
For example I want to remember a shopping list. Potato. Onions, lemon, newspaper, matches, dog food, sweets, bread, fire lighters, cherry pie, lottery ticket.
I know there are eleven items so at the end I can check I have remembered all of them.
In my minds eye I see a giant potato wearing a crown, that is a King Edward potato and his Queen is an onion with a voluminous ball gown that is peeling off to reveal a yellow crying baby lemon. The baby lemon tears turn into furled newspapers that unfold announcing the
headline massive blaze in match factory. The burning newspapers are being snuffed out by a pack of barking male dogs that are cocking there legs. They are rewarded by bowls of dog food. Now the food I can see is wrapped in sweet papers and one of the sweet paper is getting bigger and bigger to explode into slices of bread. Some of the bread becomes toasted and blackens to burst into fire. The fire lighters are gathered around a cherry tree and the tree turns into a steaming hot cherry pie. From the middle of the pie a tower of numbers stretch up and disappear in the sky.
This method is in a link form, each item connected to the previous, but another way is to associate the item to numbers to give the position.
Take the number one a visual object could be the Eiffel Tower. Or Nelson's Column.
Two could be a swan or a hook and so on for all the numbers. Then you alter
the item to fix to the visual number. An Eiffel Tower of King Edward potatoes and the number two as a giant brown skinned Swan with the shape of an onion.
I hope this is enough to give the method for Active Recall.
I got a book about improving my memory. I was surprised the methods are so simple and it made me wonder why memory training is not part of the curriculum at school. I have summarised the methods into Active Recall. If you do not alter or associate what you want to remember it will just fade away. Once you have activated what you want to remember you must see it in your minds eye.
The memory works better if you make what you want to remember outrageous in some way. Size, number, in place of, or moving. Also the more times you see the item in your minds eye it will be easier to recall.
For example I want to remember a shopping list. Potato. Onions, lemon, newspaper, matches, dog food, sweets, bread, fire lighters, cherry pie, lottery ticket.
I know there are eleven items so at the end I can check I have remembered all of them.
In my minds eye I see a giant potato wearing a crown, that is a King Edward potato and his Queen is an onion with a voluminous ball gown that is peeling off to reveal a yellow crying baby lemon. The baby lemon tears turn into furled newspapers that unfold announcing the
headline massive blaze in match factory. The burning newspapers are being snuffed out by a pack of barking male dogs that are cocking there legs. They are rewarded by bowls of dog food. Now the food I can see is wrapped in sweet papers and one of the sweet paper is getting bigger and bigger to explode into slices of bread. Some of the bread becomes toasted and blackens to burst into fire. The fire lighters are gathered around a cherry tree and the tree turns into a steaming hot cherry pie. From the middle of the pie a tower of numbers stretch up and disappear in the sky.
This method is in a link form, each item connected to the previous, but another way is to associate the item to numbers to give the position.
Take the number one a visual object could be the Eiffel Tower. Or Nelson's Column.
Two could be a swan or a hook and so on for all the numbers. Then you alter
the item to fix to the visual number. An Eiffel Tower of King Edward potatoes and the number two as a giant brown skinned Swan with the shape of an onion.
I hope this is enough to give the method for Active Recall.
March 31, 2014
Time.
As a little boy waiting for Christmas the time dragged by as I constantly would ask when will it be Christmas. Later it would seem school days had no end and it was an eternity before leaving school to join in adult life. I was reminded of the fact of time when my little girl in the back of the car every five minutes would ask “Have we got there?” Looking back to being a baby and my school years everything has happened so quickly I can not believe life can be so short. I never realised what older people meant when they would say; your school days are the best in your life.
Einstein posed the situation of two identical twins, and one would travel on a space ship to return, for him in a short time, only to find his identical twin aged far beyond his years.
This made me think as a renowned theorist stated the is no time but a series of now.
In that case instead of an arrow of time travelling in one direction; simply by motion, time jumping would be possible, as depicted in many science fiction films.
In a practical sense we can see the result of time travel as although light travels incredibly fast it takes eight minutes for light from the Sun to reach the Earth and great distance is measured
in light years.
That means the objects that emit light and are millions of miles away are no longer in the same position in relation to the original light.
The most interesting thing about time is when you try to define exactly what it is.
I will give my understanding of time. A point of being and time is a measure of that existence in relation to other points.
In Einstein equation E=MC2; Energy is equal to Mass times the speed of light squared.
To express the speed of light you need to use time as a calculable measure.
Therefore time is a dimension that is used to calculate forms of existence of either energy or mass.
Einstein posed the situation of two identical twins, and one would travel on a space ship to return, for him in a short time, only to find his identical twin aged far beyond his years.
This made me think as a renowned theorist stated the is no time but a series of now.
In that case instead of an arrow of time travelling in one direction; simply by motion, time jumping would be possible, as depicted in many science fiction films.
In a practical sense we can see the result of time travel as although light travels incredibly fast it takes eight minutes for light from the Sun to reach the Earth and great distance is measured
in light years.
That means the objects that emit light and are millions of miles away are no longer in the same position in relation to the original light.
The most interesting thing about time is when you try to define exactly what it is.
I will give my understanding of time. A point of being and time is a measure of that existence in relation to other points.
In Einstein equation E=MC2; Energy is equal to Mass times the speed of light squared.
To express the speed of light you need to use time as a calculable measure.
Therefore time is a dimension that is used to calculate forms of existence of either energy or mass.
March 24, 2014
The chess player.
I was first introduce to the rules of chess at an early age by my older brother at that time it seemed a very complex game which had no interest for me. It was not until I went to secondary school that my fascination with chess would develop. Later in life using a computer game I was playing one of the very few female grandmasters. By chance it was to be a most memorable experience.
I imagined my self like Steve Mcqueen in the film playing chess against Faye Dunaway dominating the chess board. With every move my victory edged closer. After what I thought was a brilliant move I had trapped my opponents King all that was needed was one final move. Then it seemed my opponent was set on committing suicide by forcing her pieces to be taken by my king in frustration the horrible truth dawned on me.
I had no option than settle for a draw by stalemating my opponents king.
A famous World Champion wrote a book claiming the skills needed to play good chess were a useful way of living your own life.
After that game I agree and in future will not be so quick to take for granted something in hindsight which should have been obvious to me.
I imagined my self like Steve Mcqueen in the film playing chess against Faye Dunaway dominating the chess board. With every move my victory edged closer. After what I thought was a brilliant move I had trapped my opponents King all that was needed was one final move. Then it seemed my opponent was set on committing suicide by forcing her pieces to be taken by my king in frustration the horrible truth dawned on me.
I had no option than settle for a draw by stalemating my opponents king.
A famous World Champion wrote a book claiming the skills needed to play good chess were a useful way of living your own life.
After that game I agree and in future will not be so quick to take for granted something in hindsight which should have been obvious to me.
March 17, 2014
Fact or fiction.
Often fact will appear after numerous science fiction writers have put pen to paper. Such as Journey to the Moon and the tragic sinking of a giant passenger liner that on its maiden voyage hit an iceberg.
Recently a plane has disappeared in mysterious circumstances but this tragic theme has been a basis for many stories although there are variations on the vehicle and passengers.
I personally hope the present event will have a happy outcome. Although there are many theories. A ray of hope is that signals have been received many hours after the plane had vanished from the radar screen. Also the tracking signal equipment has been deliberately turned off. If the plane was under control there would be a definite point of direction and landing.
A more extraterrestrial idea is alien abduction, but there have been reports that people who claim this to have happened to them, on the whole are returned without any permanent harm.
Recently a plane has disappeared in mysterious circumstances but this tragic theme has been a basis for many stories although there are variations on the vehicle and passengers.
I personally hope the present event will have a happy outcome. Although there are many theories. A ray of hope is that signals have been received many hours after the plane had vanished from the radar screen. Also the tracking signal equipment has been deliberately turned off. If the plane was under control there would be a definite point of direction and landing.
A more extraterrestrial idea is alien abduction, but there have been reports that people who claim this to have happened to them, on the whole are returned without any permanent harm.
March 10, 2014
E.T. where are you?
If E.T.s are a reality I am sure they have a very good reason not to make there presence known.
In 1938 Orson Welles, actor, producer, director and writer, broadcast on the radio an adaptation of H G Wells story called War of the Worlds. There was mass hysteria and at least one fatality.
At that time it was generally believed the Universe comprised of one Galaxy (The Milky Way).
Now we know there are millions of Galaxies and they have countless stars all capable of having planets. Some of those planets could have an environment favourable for some sort of life form. It is a fact the molecules necessary to kick-start life are scattered through out the Universe.
It has taken four billion years for life to develop the way it has on Earth but it may not have taken the same time on another favourable planet and intelligence could have developed a capability to time travel and visit the Earth.
On a personal experience. One Winters night after five thirty, I had locked my Sub Post Office up for the night. As usual I was checking the street before going home that evening and happened to look up. In the black sky I noticed apart from some faint stars a small round light that was high in the sky and stationary. I started to walk home, first I crossed the road and looked up. The light had moved and now was much closer to me although I could see no outline of any substance surrounding the light. It did not emit any beam like a torch or car headlight. I walked to the first turning and turned right. I checked the position of the light. I was surprised and a little alarmed as it had precisely followed me. I carried on walking through a narrow passage way and turned left. Again the light had followed me, I stopped, it stopped. I strained my ears to hear any noise. All was quiet except for my rapidly beating heart. I deliberately changed direction and the light still followed me. By now I was definitely getting worried. Although I was curious to know what it was I decided to run directly to my home. I looked a last time up into the sky. The light had gone. I had a mixture of feelings. Relief I had come to know harm, but fascinated, at my close encounter.
In 1938 Orson Welles, actor, producer, director and writer, broadcast on the radio an adaptation of H G Wells story called War of the Worlds. There was mass hysteria and at least one fatality.
At that time it was generally believed the Universe comprised of one Galaxy (The Milky Way).
Now we know there are millions of Galaxies and they have countless stars all capable of having planets. Some of those planets could have an environment favourable for some sort of life form. It is a fact the molecules necessary to kick-start life are scattered through out the Universe.
It has taken four billion years for life to develop the way it has on Earth but it may not have taken the same time on another favourable planet and intelligence could have developed a capability to time travel and visit the Earth.
On a personal experience. One Winters night after five thirty, I had locked my Sub Post Office up for the night. As usual I was checking the street before going home that evening and happened to look up. In the black sky I noticed apart from some faint stars a small round light that was high in the sky and stationary. I started to walk home, first I crossed the road and looked up. The light had moved and now was much closer to me although I could see no outline of any substance surrounding the light. It did not emit any beam like a torch or car headlight. I walked to the first turning and turned right. I checked the position of the light. I was surprised and a little alarmed as it had precisely followed me. I carried on walking through a narrow passage way and turned left. Again the light had followed me, I stopped, it stopped. I strained my ears to hear any noise. All was quiet except for my rapidly beating heart. I deliberately changed direction and the light still followed me. By now I was definitely getting worried. Although I was curious to know what it was I decided to run directly to my home. I looked a last time up into the sky. The light had gone. I had a mixture of feelings. Relief I had come to know harm, but fascinated, at my close encounter.
March 3, 2014
Are you tired and would like a pick you up
One day I was feeling particularly tired so decided to have a mid-day nap. The result a little later was so rewarding, it occurred to me, that it would be beneficial to inform other people of the simple enjoyment, that having complete rest can give. So here is the method for CR (complete rest).
Find a place where you will not be disturbed and sit or lay down. Close your eyes and check every part of your body is relaxed starting from your neck, arms, back, legs, feet, toes. Then do it again until you are sure there is no tension in your body.
With your eyes still closed imagine it is a warm summers day and you can see the white light of the Sun. Its warm rays are invigorating all of your body and this deepens your relaxation. Your breathing will slow down and it will become an effort even to open your eyes. If you become aware of any thoughts simply refocus on the white light of the Sun until you will naturally sleep
Find a place where you will not be disturbed and sit or lay down. Close your eyes and check every part of your body is relaxed starting from your neck, arms, back, legs, feet, toes. Then do it again until you are sure there is no tension in your body.
With your eyes still closed imagine it is a warm summers day and you can see the white light of the Sun. Its warm rays are invigorating all of your body and this deepens your relaxation. Your breathing will slow down and it will become an effort even to open your eyes. If you become aware of any thoughts simply refocus on the white light of the Sun until you will naturally sleep
February 24, 2014
What is space?
I always believed space to be completely empty but apparently what is between stars and galaxies contains particles even widely scattered. That made me ponder. Are the different types of space?
The whole of the cosmos is expanding something like a balloon that is being blown up. The obvious question is what is it expanding into? Would that space like I believed really contain nothing.
Can something have it origins from nothing.
How about something that has no beginning and has always existed.
That something would not be bound by the life of the cosmos as it is believed the cosmos had a beginning and current thought predict an end.
I have the ability to create an imaginary being that has always existed and give it super powers that does not prove it exists apart from my imagination.
If that is not complicated enough how about thousands of beings that have no beginning and have always existed.
Hold on it is my imagination I only need one and I give it the quality of being supreme and that means you can not have more than one.
The whole of the cosmos is expanding something like a balloon that is being blown up. The obvious question is what is it expanding into? Would that space like I believed really contain nothing.
Can something have it origins from nothing.
How about something that has no beginning and has always existed.
That something would not be bound by the life of the cosmos as it is believed the cosmos had a beginning and current thought predict an end.
I have the ability to create an imaginary being that has always existed and give it super powers that does not prove it exists apart from my imagination.
If that is not complicated enough how about thousands of beings that have no beginning and have always existed.
Hold on it is my imagination I only need one and I give it the quality of being supreme and that means you can not have more than one.
February 17, 2014
Writing science fiction
I have always enjoyed reading science fiction but when it came to writing I had never realised how much there was to know about the Earth. That gave me the idea to ponder . What if?
As I gathered the facts a germ of ideas grew and I began to see. Once I saw how tenuous a species was it came to me how we take for granted the position Man has in evolution.
Just to make the point clear every approximately sixty million years there is a massive reduction in living organisms.
Can you imagine how surprised a time traveller would be if in one hundred and twenty million years in the future. The most intelligent creatures on Earth were cockroach like species.
Clearly if you look at the past. Intelligence is a factor but not the only one involved in survival of a species.
When you look at earth it is apparent several things are important for our type of life. Water is essential. I was surprised to learn water over a great length of time has arrived from outer space.
The Earth spins and orbits the Sun but it is the Moon in conjunction with the Sun that creates the tides.
I live in the UK which is surrounded by sea in fact although I can not remember the exact figure that anywhere in the UK is only a short distance to the coast. Can anyone tell me why we do not make more use of wave or tidal power.
As I gathered the facts a germ of ideas grew and I began to see. Once I saw how tenuous a species was it came to me how we take for granted the position Man has in evolution.
Just to make the point clear every approximately sixty million years there is a massive reduction in living organisms.
Can you imagine how surprised a time traveller would be if in one hundred and twenty million years in the future. The most intelligent creatures on Earth were cockroach like species.
Clearly if you look at the past. Intelligence is a factor but not the only one involved in survival of a species.
When you look at earth it is apparent several things are important for our type of life. Water is essential. I was surprised to learn water over a great length of time has arrived from outer space.
The Earth spins and orbits the Sun but it is the Moon in conjunction with the Sun that creates the tides.
I live in the UK which is surrounded by sea in fact although I can not remember the exact figure that anywhere in the UK is only a short distance to the coast. Can anyone tell me why we do not make more use of wave or tidal power.
