Method of the Loci

Sometimes it is really fascinating to look back at the things that you did. Somehow today I got reminded that, hey, I actually have a blog! It feels quite embarrassing to read some of the earlier posts that I posted when I was younger. Time to inject some maturity into this blog. 

Let's talk about the Method of the Loci. I found this interesting idea from the book 'Moonwalking with Einstein'   not too long ago during the holidays. It is a really powerful memory tool to help us remember things. Loci brings into mind location, meaning we use imaginary spatial location in our mind to store information like a sequence of events or movie. The more interesting and engaging your movie is, the better and easier it is for you to recall it. Though the initial process might be a little bit time consuming and drain your brain, in the long run, as you get progressively better in the techniques, you will find that it is a super efficient memory tool.

Mainly, I use it for academic reasons. You know those dreaded academic stuffs that require rote memorization. Why waste your brain storage on these useless points? Try this method today. Once mastered and done correctly, all you need to do is to pull the information out during your exam (or for any other use). You do not need to constantly read and re-read the same points over and over again. Brute force study is not only a waste of precious time but it is totally ineffective. It is even worse trying to cramp late nights mugging sessions memorizing notes via brute force method.

Okay here we go. For example, you would like to remember 3 books that you want to borrow in the library (yes we can use our phone, but.. that is not the point lol), "The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins", "The Tiger that Lost Its Roar -Tony Pua" and "The Lost Gospel-Herbert Krosney". Personally, I will try to visualize the story as such. I shall take my own house as the 'Loci'. Use places that you are most familiar with. In my head, I will imagine myself in my bedroom. So I start to imagine a standard image of God for the first book. I see an old grandpa with intense light illuminating out form his head. He began to fly up to heaven. His hands are holding a dog and a key which should remind me of Dawkin. Visualize as vividly as you can. Even better, try to touch and feel and smell the scene to create a more intense and everlasting image in your brain. Next, I slowly walk out form my bedroom to the kitchen. There I see a huge tiger standing on top of my kitchen table roaring at me. I go closer to pet it. I can even see a rocket symbol on the tiger's forehead. This to me signifies the DAP logo which should remind me of Tony Pua. Finally, from the ktichen, I move on to the living room. There, I see a thick bible lying on the floor. However, strangely, as I approach to pick it up, I see that the cover of the bible has one giant pink letter L on it. Lost comes to my mind. The lost gospel. 

So, when I want to retrieve the 3 books, I just have to start in my bedroom and walk my way to the living room. I should see all the objects and scenes happening vividly along the way. The triggering point, which is my bedroom, is sufficient to trigger all the subsequent events. 

If you have been following thus far, visualizing as you read, try recalling the 3 books few hours later. Or the next day. Or the following day. Or the next week. You will be surprised.