These days, I feel swamped by the internet. Sure, it’s great to have all this information at my fingertips, but I think we lose something in the process. Our brains aren’t meant to hold endless information. They get lazy when we can just Google everything. Why bother remembering? Yet, even though we don’t really need to remember anything anymore, I find real joy in doing it.
There’s something refreshing about living without tools. We think of tools as being central to everything we do. And I don’t mean just iPhone and computers. What about books? How could we acquire knowledge without books? In the ancient world, our ancestors were able to create long and complex thoughts well before writing. They used memory tricks called mnemonic techniques. But these techniques are not just tools from the past; they can be useful today. Using this still is not that hard but it is they’re keys to unlocking a more mindful and empowered way of living in the present. I want to explore the art of memorization with you, transforming it from a lost skill to an everyday superpower.
Revisiting ‘Moonwalking with Einstein’
In ‘Moonwalking with Einstein’, Joshua Foer doesn’t just observe the world of memory; he immerses himself in it. Beginning as a curious journalist, Foer learns and masters mnemonic techniques, leading him to compete in the U.S. Memory Championship and later the World Memory Championships. His journey is a striking example of how these techniques can transform an ordinary memory into an extraordinary one.
Foer’s success was rooted in learning methods like the “Memory Palace” and “Mnemonic Linking”. These techniques, which involve associating information with vivid images and familiar locations, enabled him to memorize vast amounts of data with astonishing accuracy.
The book also connects us to the ancient origins of mnemonics. It highlights how epic poems like “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” were memorized using these techniques before the advent of writing. These mnemonic devices were essential for preserving stories and knowledge in oral traditions.
Exploring Mnemonic Techniques
Mnemonic techniques, while ancient in origin, are still incredibly effective for modern minds. Two standout methods are the Memory Palace and Mnemonic Linking.
- The Memory Palace, or the Method of Loci, involves associating information with specific locations in a familiar space, like your home. By mentally walking through these spaces and associating each room or object with a piece of information, you create a structured and memorable journey for your data.
- Mnemonic Linking, on the other hand, connects pieces of information through a story or a sequence. By linking each piece to the next through vivid, often absurd imagery, the chain of information becomes easier to recall.
Here’s an example of using mnemonic linking to memorize the order of the US Presidents:
Let’s start by picturing a washing machine (Washington) washing a ton of bright-green Granny Smith apples (Adams). Along comes a chubby chef (Jefferson) who takes the apples out of the washing machine and puts on a maid’s uniform (Madison). He then gets inside of a rowing boat and starts rowing; he is a man rowing (Monroe).
Both techniques leverage our brain’s natural strengths in remembering places, stories, and images. They transform abstract data into vivid, memorable experiences, allowing us to recall information with greater ease and accuracy.
How I Use Mnemonic Techniques
Incorporating mnemonics into my daily routine has been a journey of discovery and practicality. Here are two ways I’ve seamlessly integrated these techniques:
- Memorization: Tom Lehrer’s sons “The Elements,” is a random assortment of the elements of the periodic table, set to the melody of the Major General song from the Pirates of Penzance. I’ve tried to memorize it over the years but it’s damn hard (Danielle Radcliffe does a pretty good job of it though). But by turning the lyrics into a mnemonic chain, I was finally able to do it!
- Taking Notes Without Paper: On the Sabbath, Jews are forbidden from writing. This normally isn’t a problem for me because we are not that observant. But when we attend synagogue, I’m inspired by all of these interesting mediations but I can’t write them down. However, I can use a a Memory Palace. I no longer need a pen and paper because I can store these thoughts for hours or days and write them down when it’s convenient.
Exploring mnemonics in this digital age has transformed my relationship to knowledge. It has enabled me to truly “own” my ideas and thoughts, storing them in my mind rather than on a computer. This journey has been more than just learning mnemonic techniques; it’s about rediscovering a sense of mental empowerment and finding joy in holding knowledge in my own mind, amidst the vast sea of digital information.