The Only Skill that Matters: The Proven Methodology to Read Faster, Remember More, and Become a SuperLearner

by Jonathan A. Levi

In other words, research has finally figured out why the memory palace works so well. It all boils down to neurochemical changes that occur when we activate the parts of our brains concerned with location. In 2014, another study from Dartmouth and the University of North Carolina focused on a little-studied part of the brain called the retrosplenial cortex. Their goal was to test out an even bolder hypothesis. They now believe that our memories may actually be inextricably linked to location in our brains. This makes perfect sense. Think back to any memorable event in your life, such as the JFK assassination or the 9/11 attacks. The question we ask one another is never “What news station were you watching,” but rather “Where were you when you heard?” Location is an immensely powerful anchoring point for creating new memories. This is precisely why I asked you to block the exit to your own memory palace with a large location pin. That marker, safely stored in the doorway, represents your brain’s ability to remember locations without even trying.