Naked Science Memory Course - Copyright Michael Curtis 2007
The study of memory is a major hobby of mine. This site is a
scientific site dating back several years to when I launched it as a
scientific article online magazine - a bit like New Scientist but using
my sense of humour from that time [you may know of a similarly named
web site from around that
time BUT I think I am the original science site - especially since they asked me to team up with them back in the early days!].
The major traffic comes from people who want to learn about memory. For that reason,
and because my science site idea was overlapped by the better funded other guys,
the site is structured to mainly talk about memory: how to pass exams and memorising (or
'memorizing' in US english) things as a hobby.
Different people have different methods for memorising information which generally follow the same basic principles of what makes information memorable. A memoriser's collection of methods is known as a 'memory system'; but enthusiast's will ask, "What is your system for memorising a pack of cards?" - so 'memory system' has a general and specific meaning. The memory system presented here is a compromise of various questions. For instance, in the past, I designed systems that were language-independent but the course nowadays is really aimed at people who can spell English words quite well. Another compromise was that many systems involve use of the imagination and imaginary fictitious mental scenes. It is my preference to spend my learning periods in the memorisation of real knowledge rather than 'junk' imagery. However, I have to admit that 'junk' imagery can really assist memory and so I have not abandoned it but embraced it, at times.
The system presented here in April 2007 is, in part, different to what was on this site before; the previous work was good but I knew that I could make it better. So, a previous reader of this site will find a lot of differences this time through.
In April 2007, I had the opportunity to redesign the site. I have
had fun using Paint.Net, various web page composers and
the study of CSS and javascript and iframes again in order to make a
clearly presented web site. Notepad was a constant friend throughout because it has not changed my HTML when I click 'save' - unlike a lot of other software. I tried to follow the idea that the everyday word-processing
article text generally should be kept separate from the rules about colour
display and positioning of menus. Another trend was an effort to write
code once rather than having to edit code in many places. I also
checked it on more than one browser as well as validating the html periodically.
I have been motivated a lot by my interactions with people on Yahoo groups relating to memory and to mental calculation. Feedback really helped me [in the 1990s, university psychology departments had no time for my correspondence]. I put links to this site into various related groups such as for blindfolded Rubik's cubing, and I have been inspired by other people's ideas and emails. Hopefully, this interchange of ideas will flow freely, with netiquette, and lead to fresh discoveries.
In summary:
I have encouraged the development of alternative memorisation techniques [eg. multiple playing cards at one glance].
I have helped with the pursuit of world records in speed cubing.
I have helped to develop memory competition records information and bibliography statistics [see the start of the Memory Sports Yahoo group]; which feature in the World Memory Sports Council web sites [as viewed in January 2008]. eg. http://www.schoolsmemorychampionships.com, http://www.worldmemorysportscouncil.com
I have encouraged the community to consider using online memory competitions - which is now an idea embraced by the World Memory Sports Council (http://www.worldmemorysportscouncil.com/simon_orton_online_competition.asp)
I enjoy the development of memory and mind resources; and I am keen to hear about any projects in which I can play a part - particularly in relation to improving thinking skills or mathematical abilities.