Memorizing a Deck of Cards

Re:Memorizing a Deck of Cards by billsmithaustin on Wednesday September 23, 2020 @08:47AM (#24566342)

“Moonwalking with Einstein”, a book by Joshua Foer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonwalking_with_Einstein), is all about memorization techniques and memorization competitions. It’s a great read. He found that while practicing with specific techniques allowed him to win competitions, he still tended to forget where he put his car keys.

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Re:Memorizing a Deck of Cards by ajuc on Wednesday September 23, 2020 @08:55AM (#24566426)

I have a trick that works for such things (at least for me).

When I'm leaving keys I imagine myself going back and searching for them and remembering that I left them there.

Then when I really am in this situation I remember the false memory and find them :)

Same thing works with remembering to buy something when going back from work and other "do THIS when THAT". When I decide I have to buy X I imagine myself stepping out of the bus, going up the stairs, remembering to go to the shop, turning and going there.

Then when I really do this I remember to turn :) What's funny is that a few times I then decided to go out on the next stop (a little longer walk but less mud when it's raining) - and I haven't remembered because the trigger didn't happen :)

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Re:Memorizing a Deck of Cards by craftinator on Wednesday September 23, 2020 @11:47AM (#24568416)

This trick loosely reminds me of Neal Stephenson's excellent Anathem; by imagining a narrative in which you've solved the problem you're trying to solve, you actually create that narrative with the solved problem; then it's just a matter of merging that narrative with your own.

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Re:Memorizing a Deck of Cards by dontcarethrow2 on Wednesday September 23, 2020 @03:13PM (#24570772)

This has helped me, I've also noticed it calms you down and you get a fresh focus, which is what's desperately needed in those times of panic.

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Re:Memorizing a Deck of Cards by titzer on Wednesday September 23, 2020 @10:07AM (#24567222)

> he still tended to forget where he put his car keys.

I find it just easier to develop a protocol on where the keys go. In fact, I organize my entire space so that everything has a place and as soon as I am done with it I put it back in the place. Reduces cognitive load. Since a thing is in a place every time, eventually my brain builds a detailed map of exactly where everything lives, even down to the inch within a shelf, drawer, etc. At this point I could almost operate blind.

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Re:Memorizing a Deck of Cards by ragazzina on Wednesday September 23, 2020 @10:29AM (#24567497)

I've heard a similar technique: always picture the keys as "living on that shelf" or "sleeping in that bowl".

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Re:Memorizing a Deck of Cards by jasonv on Wednesday September 23, 2020 @12:05PM (#24568590)

I do this, but I live with people who don't.

Therein lies the rub...

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Re:Memorizing a Deck of Cards by titzer on Wednesday September 23, 2020 @07:03PM (#24573281)

Ah yeah. Things moving behind your back. It's functionally equivalent to the house being haunted.

I get the same feeling working on a shared codebase...where'd I put that dang function now...

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Re:Memorizing a Deck of Cards by bryan0 on Wednesday September 23, 2020 @11:02AM (#24567942)

Yes great book. I highly recommend as well it if you want to learn more about memorization techniques or just for an entertaining read about the memorization community and history of memorization techniques.

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