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Using memory systems to memorize text passages

michaelnotebook.com · 6,571 words · saved by 1 readers

I recently used a memory system to help me memorize a few passages of text which I love. I began with one of my favorite pieces of writing, Carl Sagan's famous "Pale Blue Dot". I found the experience rewarding enough that I memorized several more passages, including Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address; and Wendell Berry's poem "The Peace of Wild Things". These notes collect a few observations on my experience. They're just my personal notes – I'm certainly not claiming this is something anyone "should" be doing, or that the process I used is the best, or even particularly good. I know many people are much better than I am at this kind of memorization, and no doubt have useful techniques of which I'm ignorant1. That said, perhaps the notes will be of use to a curious few, and inspire related explorations. I shall assume that you're familiar with the use of memory systems. I use Anki – there are many similar memory systems, which I assume would work about as well2. I've written extensiv

Using memory systems to memorize text passages memory tft Astera Institute December 5, 2023 I recently used a memory system to help me memorize a few passages of text which I love. I began with one of my favorite pieces of writing, Carl Sagan's famous "Pale Blue Dot". I found the experience rewarding enough that I memorized several more passages, including Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address; and Wendell Berry's poem "The Peace of Wild Things". These notes collect a few observations on my experience. They're just my personal notes – I'm certainly not claiming this is something anyone "should"

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