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Hello, everyone!
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Let's begin by discussing memory. What we know is that if I were to read off a list of random words, most people would only be able to memorize about four of those words. After waiting 20 to 30 seconds and discussing something else, the number drops to around two or even just one.
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This phenomenon is common; almost everyone I've met claims to have a bad memory. However, if I were to ask someone in this room for directions to the restroom, they could likely provide accurate guidance with incredible detail.
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On one hand, we perceive our memory as lacking, yet we effortlessly memorize the layout of this building without even trying. So how do memory athletes succeed in memorizing long lists of words? The key is that they utilize their spatial memory—the same kind of memory we employ to remember locations.
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Today, I'd like to put this to the test using ten random words. The first word is 'anticipation.' Does anyone remember what comes next? Yes, 'clown.' Excellent! And then we have 'opera.' We combined these images, imagining me in a clown outfit singing opera. What happened next? Yes, over here we have 'perfect car.' And then 'discovered an orange.' You're all doing wonderfully!
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Now let's recap. My process can also be used to memorize thousands of words or thousands of digits by visualizing them in a spatial context. Now, let’s practice that technique with names, as many of us struggle with remembering names at conferences. I’ve met around 200 people here, but I only remember about half of their names.
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When you first meet someone, truly listen when they introduce themselves and make an effort to remember their name. An effective way to do this is to focus on a distinct feature of their appearance. For example, consider Ryan here. If I want to remember his name, I notice the tattoo on his neck.
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I might think of a word that rhymes with Ryan. For me, that would be 'lion.' Now, visualizing a lion jumping towards Ryan and viciously tearing off his tattoo makes it much easier to recall his name. The more outrageous and vivid the image, the better you’ll remember it.
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Next, let’s explore another technique by memorizing a shuffled deck of playing cards. When I first delved into memory competitions, memorizing cards fascinated me, and it actually serves practical purposes. Memorizing cards can really impress your friends. Additionally, it teaches you essential techniques for memory competitions.
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The challenge with memorizing cards like the seven of diamonds and the seven of hearts is that they look similar. When professional memory competitors memorize cards, they often associate each card with a person. For instance, the seven of diamonds becomes Isaac Newton, while the seven of hearts becomes Albert Einstein.
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By forming associations, memorization becomes simpler. For all 52 cards, develop a unique association. It may sound challenging, but a technique called mnemonics enables you to use familiar information as a reference point for what you want to memorize.
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For instance, every ace and every two in the deck can represent an athlete—males for aces and females for twos. The three and four would represent male and female actors respectively, and so on. Using this systematic approach allows you to visualize a story or a sequence that solidifies the relationships.
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Additionally, there’s a well-known technique called the method of loci, also referred to as the memory palace or journey method. You take a location you’re very familiar with, such as your home, and mentally place the items you are trying to memorize in each room as you walk through it.
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For example, you could visualize Michael Jordan dunking a basketball in your bedroom. You then move to the next room, such as your bathroom, placing the Dalai Lama praying in there, while in your living room, you might imagine your wife putting a Santa hat on your dog. Walking through these spaces and retracing your steps will help you recall these memories efficiently.
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Memory athletes also need to memorize numbers. The world record for memorizing digits is held by an individual who memorized 937 random digits in 15 minutes. So, when it comes to numbers, we won’t memorize the numbers directly; instead, we will create visual images to represent them. For instance, you might visualize a set of eyeballs for the digits zero-zero or a birthday cake for 1984.
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To do this effectively, a method known as the major system translates numbers into phonetic sounds. Each number corresponds to a specific sound. For instance, the number eight corresponds to 'f,' while three corresponds to 'm.' This allows you to create vivid images associated with numbers, turning abstract numbers into memorable pictures.
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As an example, the number 83 could be linked to ‘FM radio’ or transformed into something else more memorable like 'foam.' Our goal is to create a hundred unique visual images associated with two-digit numbers. Once we have that, you can easily memorize more complex information, such as a credit card number, using the same techniques of visualization and association.
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To conclude, I highly recommend a book by Dominic O’Brien, an eight-time world memory champion, which covers all the techniques we've discussed today. Also, 'Moonwalking with Einstein' by Joshua Foer provides insight into memory competitions, and I encourage you to read it as well.
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Thank you all for listening! If you have any questions about memory techniques or anything else I've discussed today, feel free to reach out.