What's Possible
The techniques explained in this Web site are not simply mnemonic devices for memorizing specific bits of information. They are a powerful set of tools that can be applied to learn just about anything. After practicing the set of basic techniques, almost anyone can do the following examples.
Lists:
Memorize a list of 30 items after hearing or reading it once. You'll be able to do this after about ten minutes of learning the system. Then you can repeat the list backwards or forwards with little effort. And a list of thirty things is just a small number for when you start—lists of 100 items will be almost as easy.
Application:
Learn the order in which the 50 States joined the USA. It will only take you about 10 or 15 minutes.
Numbered Lists:
Have a friend write down 20 objects and number each of them. He or she calls out any of the numbers and the object that goes with it. For example, “14 is window…5 is hair brush…9 is eggs…” After they tell you all 20 things, you can repeat the list in order or backwards. But even better, if your friend asks you what number eggs is, you'll remember that it's 9. If they ask what object is associated with 14, you'll remember window.
Application:
Learn the presidents or kings of a country and be able to answer, “who was the 12th president” or “what number was Roosevelt?” You could also memorize the numbers of the elements of the periodic table (but that might take a bit longer than learning the presidents).
Numbers:
Have a friend write down a really long number, say 48298713654832187936, and have them call out the numbers one at a time. When they finish, you'll be able to easily recite the huge number. Not just forwards, but backwards, too. Plus, you'll be able to remember the number the next day or as long as you want.
Application:
Memorize the phone numbers and birthdays of your friends, family members, and coworkers. Memorize your credit card numbers and the social security numbers of the rest of your family.
These are just some of the basic skills that you will learn. After practice you'll be able to combine the techniques to memorize just about anything that you want to learn for fun or that you have to learn for work or school. In either case it makes memorization faster and more fun.