Remember 500 Digits in 15 Minutes The Memory Palace Behind World Memory Championships
Memory Palace Method This method is frequently used in memory competitions, where contestants must memorize up to 500 different digits in 15 minutes or a sequence of 100 items, for which they are given only a few seconds per item. Since 1991, world memory championships have been held. At the first championship, held in London, the winner was British Dominic O'Brien. Today, competitions are held in 30 countries around the world across the following disciplines: abstract images, words, names and faces, speed cards, sequence of cards in an hour, numbers in speed, numbers in an hour, binary numbers in speed, historical dates, numbers by hearing. Often the processes that play a key role in memory work encounter psychological and physiological challenges.
In This Article:
What a Memory Palace Is and Why It Helps
A memory palace is a space with definite static objects that a person can recreate in their imagination. You visualize all the facts before you as if they are laid out in front of you on a table — it is convenient. And so that information does not get forgotten or lost, you should periodically visit your chambers, and even better — gradually expand the boundaries, step by step, calmly.
How to Properly Prepare a Memory Palace
1) You should choose the most memorable place, the one you visit often. For example, your workstation, because imagining it in your mind will not be difficult. 2) Identify objects that will not change their place. This could be a book, a clock, a computer, and so on. Try to select as many such objects as possible. 3) Close your eyes and imagine the space you have chosen. In your imagination, move sequentially from one object to another. You must understand that you know the layout of these objects well and can move freely from one to another. 4) Work out the outlines of each chosen object, but you do not need to worry about the smallest details. You should not see a spot or something that does not look like your object. Excessive fantasy can only harm. 5) You need to determine the sequence of movement between the highlighted objects, create a route along which you will move. 6) Done. You can use your memory palace.
Practice and Progress
Try to pick the most vivid, perhaps even silly associations — the more unusual, the better they stick. Before memorizing valuable data in large quantities, first practice on something less important. If you did not succeed — try again. The main thing is not to give up. The brain is a muscle; it needs training. With each attempt, you will get better and better. If you are not sure you will be able to do it, I recommend checking out Joshua Foer's talk 'Feats of memory anyone can do' (Joshua Foer 'Feats of Memory Anyone Can Do')
Further Reading and Reference
Joshua Foer 'Feats of Memory Anyone Can Do'
