Magnetic Memory Mondays Newsletter Volume 8 October 2013 PDF

People around the world dream of becoming fluent in another language or
becoming experts in a professional field using the powers of their memory

alone. Yet so few will ever develop the vocabulary needed to achieve
these goals. Even with the best intentions and the best of instructors,
people struggle to memorize enough material.
Why is vocabulary such a struggle? Many people blame a lack of time.
Some claim that memorizing the words they need to know is too hard.
Others try to learn by rote, desperately copying the words they need to
learn hundreds of times by hand, or by playing repetitive language-
learning videogames. The biggest excuse heard around the world is the
saddest of all: far too many people claim that they have a bad memory.
I sympathize with this. I used to love claiming that I have a poor memory.
In fact, the first time I studied a foreign language, I silently swore in
English so vehemently about my “bad memory” that I would have been
kicked out of class if my teacher had heard me speaking my frustration
out loud. And he didn’t even know English!
I remained irritated with what I perceived to be my poor memory until I
decided to do something about it. I studied memorization and ultimately
devised the unique Magnetic Memory system described in my books. It is
an easily learned set of skills based around the alphabet, one that you can
completely understand in under an hour. It is a system that will have you
acquiring countless vocabulary words at an accelerated pace. Instead of
struggling to learn and retain one or two words or pieces of information a
day, you will find yourself memorizing dozens of words every time you
practice using my strategies.
It pleases me immensely to help people memorize foreign language
vocabulary and specialized terminology, especially when people regularly
describe to me how easily they were able to memorize their first 100
words in under an hour using the Magnetic Memory method. These
achievements are thrilling to me, thrilling for the people who use the
techniques and they will thrill you too.
Magnetic Memory Mondays
Newsletter
Volume 7
By
Anthony Metivier, PhD

For Memorizers Everywhere

WAIT!
If you aren’t already subscribed to this newsletter, you can sign up at:
http://www.magneticmemorymethod.com/sign-up/.
As a subscriber to the prestigious Magnetic Memory newsletter, you’ll
receive a free set of Magnetic Memory worksheets that will help you
achieve your memorization goals. Whilst subscriptions are currently free
for readers of my books, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be making this
offer. Subscribe now and get the only information that will keep your
memory magnetic for years to come.
Table of Contents
There Is Hope For Conceptual Memory Palace Memorizers
The Matrix of Memory Palaces
Memorization Deadlines Suck ... Unless They're Magnetic
How to Memorize Foreign Language Vocabulary Using Racetracks
In Your Memory Palaces
The Hunt for Red Memory Palaces In October
So A Memory Virus Walks Into A Bar And ...
A Rehash Of The Aristotle Method of Memorization
Nike's Biggest Memorizing Foreign Language Vocabulary Tip
I See A Red Memory And I Want To Paint It Magnetic
The Little Magnetic Memorizer Who Could

Your Magnetic Memory Capacity Is Full (That'll Be The Day ...)
Healing The Wounds Of Magnetic Memorization
I Memorize The Poem Magnetic

Columbus Memorized The Magnet Blue
Magnetic Words Even A Child Can Memorize
Please Don't Memorize Orwellian Newspeak
Did Ogden Memorize Vocabulary Or Just Stick It Into Lists?

Only 850 Magnetic Words To Fluency!
Smells Like Magnetic Memory Spirit
Mommas Don't Let Your Kanji Grow Up To Be Memorization
Cowboys
X Marks the Magnetic Memory Spot
The German Boxer Who Memorized With His Skirt On Fire
I Sold My Soul To Memorize Foreign Language Vocabulary
Miss Saigon Never Memorizes Vocabulary Wrong
Send Me The Magnetic Memory Link (Bitte)
An Incredible Book On Memorizing Kanji
Right-Brained Memorizers In A Left-Brained World
Rudolph the Magnetic Memory-nosed Reindeer

How To Outfox Your Memorization Lions
Memorize Me Baby One More Time
Halloween Was Never Memorized So Magnetically

There Is Hope For Conceptual Memory Palace Memorizers
Dear Memorizers,
Let's kick off spooky October with a fabulously Magnetic question.

----------
Hi, Anthony!
Thanks for your very interesting memory materials. I am making my way

through your Magnetic Memory Mondays book and your video course
and am curious about something.
(Please forgive me if I've overlooked or just haven't gotten to an answer

yet.)
Here it is: you speak of not being very visual and say that you (and
others) may simply "conceptualize" something instead seeing an image of
it in the mind.
Can you explain what this means?
For instance, when you mention that someone doesn't need to "see" Mona
Lisa writing E=mc2 but can just conceptualize it, what might actually
happen in the mind in such a scenario?
What happens for you if you conceptualize?
I am pretty visual. I can't *not* see Mona scribbling on her leg. :)
If one doesn't make an image, does she simply say/hear the words in her
mind? Is *any* sort of image produced?
And how does this "conceptualization"process, whatever it is, work as

some sort of memory anchor?
I am curious in general, and also specifically because I want to teach

memory skills and am trying to come to grips with the whole issue of
visualization and of understanding how different minds work.
Thanks in advance for sharing any insights you might have.

----------
Thanks for this great question!
First off, although I am conceptual and do fall back on conceptualization a

lot, I always have better results when I take the time to:
a) engage in exercises that make me more visual, such as drawing and

visiting art galleries
b) work at "seeing" the narrative worlds authors build when I read fiction
c) practice "seeing" the visual-based ideas that come to me when using the
Magnetic Memory Method
Now, it's really odd that I'm not visual because I've written novels and
worked for years as a Film Professor and sometimes as a story consultant.
But the fact of the matter is that when I read a novel or a screenplay, I
don't actually "see" the images in my mind. I conceptualize them. It
usually "experience" rather than "see" the idea of what is happening and
my mind often skips over visual descriptions because they seem to have
little importance to me. (Ultimately, this is what has made me a very
interesting professor and consultant, because very few people in the film
world come at things from such an unconventional angle).
As a side note, in On Writing, Stephen King talks about how he usually

doesn't describe the clothing that his characters wear because he feels that
most readers will "dress" the characters the way they please anyhow.
I find this point from Stephen King very interesting because I don't dress
the characters at all. They are just ideas rather than visual entities. If I see
anything at all, it is through the eyes of the characters, i.e. I become the
characters through a process of identification.
As I mentioned in point (b) above, over the past few years I have started
working very diligently at seeing what I read rather than conceptualizing
it. I also choose books that are inherently more visual. So instead of the
conceptual J. G. Ballard novels I normally adore, lately I've been reading,
for example, Robert Asprin's Myth series. Instead of reading a whole
bunch of stuff about what characters are thinking and feeling (which is
mostly what Ballard does, even describing things visually in very abstract
ways), I try to find reading material in which the plot is grounded in
action that one must see to enjoy (i.e. Asprin). In other words, these are
stories of procedure that take place in unusual locations.
To help stop my mind from wandering into concepts, I get both the print
and audio edition and read along with the performer. Somehow this
increases the visual experience for me, even though I'm actually looking
at text. At the very least, the text is instructions regarding what to
visualize, so with a good performer at the helm, everything comes
together and I have a very cinematic experience in my head (so to speak).
I mention all of this in the hopes that it will clarify the position I am
coming from.
As to how I "pin" concepts to stations within a Memory Palace, it's pretty

simple.
Let's take the Mona Lisa example.
I go to a particular station in the Memory Palace and as I am "there" I

think about Mona Lisa scribbling on her leg and place that idea there.
Naturally, there is some level of visualization, but it is usually very empty
or ghost-like. It's like a sliver in my mind, whereas in order to make it
Magnetic, I've got to "manually" increase it in size, make it vibrant and
colorful and add action to it, working hard to really, really, really see the
action.
It's actually a wonderful and creative thing to do.
In fact, it's this process that makes it Magnetic (along with the other
principles of alphabetization, word division and the like)
But ...
... I don't always do it.

It's true.
Even your main Magnetic man falls prey to Magnetic Memory Kryptonite
once in a while.
And in turn, this (almost) always diminishes the effect of the

memorization process and its holding power.
The other problem here and also something that everyone can work on to
make their Memory Palace efforts more Magnetic is to be more visual
about the Memory Palaces themselves. I have to constantly hound myself
to add drawings to my Excel file method. The Excel file method is
fantastic and works gangbusters for rehearsal, but it's not a particularly
visual way of keeping a out-of-mind record of a Memory Palace. This is
why I recommend drawing out Memory Palaces either by sketching the
rooms in 2D or drawing a floor plan in addition to keeping a spreadsheet
record of one form or another.
In sum, mnemonics will work for conceptual people simply by mentally

building Memory Palaces by thinking "station one is here, station two is
here" and so forth, but in my experience, both with myself, people who
have written to me and people I have coached, the best results come from
taking the time to visualize everything one can.
If that proves impossible, then it is absolutely worth the time and effort to
engage in activities that will develop greater levels of visuality, and this
brings all kinds of other pleasures as well - such as gaining a whole new
understanding of shapes and the skeletal and muscle structures of animals
and human beings if you take up figure drawing. One thing I heard from a
drawing instructor has proved absolutely true. He said that after you've
seriously studied the muscles of the human face, you will never think
anyone is ugly ever again. That's a very cool side-effect indeed.
Now, one last thing has to be mentioned here. This has to do with
"virtual" Memory Palaces. These are completely imaginary constructs, or
partial constructs. As I teach using them, they essentially work by setting
a number of conceptual "rules."
For example, let's say you're using your house and you want to increase
the number of stations inside of each room. You can set the following
rules:
1) Each room has 10 imaginary bookcases
2) Each bookcase has 10 shelves
3) Each shelf has 3 stations (left, middle, right)
4) I start at the top of each bookcase and work my way down
5) The bookcases stand in a row at the back of the room (as in a library)
and I always move from bookcase to bookcase counter-clockwise
It doesn't take more than a few seconds to permanently configure such

rules and you don't have to spend time later wondering what these rules
were.
Again, it's all going to be much more effective if you take a bit of time to
see (and I mean really really really see) these bookcases in vibrant and
colorful detail, but I rarely due. I rely upon the "rules" I've set alone and
can happily "wander" along this entirely conceptual journey within a room
quite happily.
One way or another, all of this requires more than a touch of practice and
people who use dedicated practice get even more results more quickly.
But on the matter of dedicated practice I must digress and tackle on
another day.
I hope that this begins to answer some of your questions and hope that
you'll get back in touch if you would like further clarification.
Until next time, magnetize what you conceptualize by getting more visual
and then teach someone else what you've learned about Memory Palaces.
Teaching a skill is one of the best ways to learn it and helping people
improve their memory is one of the best ways we can make the world a
better place. The more we remember, the more we can remember. And the
more we learn, the more we can learn.
The Matrix of Memory Palaces
Dear Memorizers,
It's no secret that I've got a new video course out. You may even already
be taking it.
Of course, it's also no secret that if you don't follow the steps, success ain't
exactly going to be around the Magnetic corner.
Yeah, it's a bit salesy, but you might get a kick out of - and even some
help - from this new promo video
I put out on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmc6OvP8K9k
I give a little quick primer on how to start your very first Memory Palace.
Just using the place you live now.
Just two stations.
It's Kaizen, dear Memorizers, but one step at a time can and will make
change for the better, especially when you want to advance your
memorization skills.
So check out the video and enjoy the little mini-tutorial. Even if you're old
hat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmc6OvP8K9k
Until next time, enter the Matrix and then teach someone else what you've
learned about Memory Palaces. Teaching a skill is one of the best ways to
learn it and helping people improve their memory is one of the best ways
we can make the world a better place. The more we remember, the more
we can remember. And the more we learn, the more we can learn.
Memorization Deadlines Suck ... Unless They're Magnetic
Dear Memorizers,
We all know that deadlines ... sort of work.
For example, if you say that you're going to memorize 100 new
vocabulary words using a Magnetic Memory Palace Network over ten
days, maybe you'll get about 50 down the hatch.
That's because our deadlines are largely undefined.
100 words over ten days really doesn't mean that much.
If you say something like ten words per day over ten days, you're getting
more Magnetic.
But your success will rise even more if you create a Micro Magnetic
Deadline.
That would look something like:
By 5 pm everyday for ten days I will memorize ten words using the
Magnetic Memory Method.
Can you spot the difference here?
It's not just "at some point during the day I will memorize 10 words."
I'm talking about a specific deadline within each day itself. An end point.
A goal. A moment when you stab your Magnetic flag into the ground and
claim the new territory you've gained in your dream foreign language.
And if you really want to go for Magnetic broke, you can schedule in the
specific hour you'll work on memorizing these words.
Question: How does 9 am to 10 am sound?
Answer: Terrible!
Using the Magnetic Memory Method (assuming you've filled out all your
worksheets and are actually applying the Method), you should have ten
words magnetized to the inside of your skull in thirty minutes, if not
sooner.
That's guaranteed.
If you don't believe me, go here:
https://www.udemy.com/language-learning-online-magnetic-memory
Until next time, magnetize your calendar and then teach someone else
what you've learned about Memory Palaces. Teaching a skill is one of the
best ways to learn it and helping people improve their memory is one of
the best ways we can make the world a better place. The more we
remember, the more we can remember. And the more we learn, the more
we can learn.
How to Memorize Foreign Language Vocabulary Using Racetracks
In Your Memory Palaces
Dear Memorizers,
There is nothing better than someone who is taking the Magnetic Memory
Method and applying it to memorizing the vocabulary of more than one
language at a time.
And it's pretty easy to achieve too.
Listen in ...
----------
Hi!
I just got your course and watching the 8 first videos. Two questions:
1. The alphabet for the palaces, has to be in the language you want to
study, or the native alphabet?
2. I am studying two languages and you know, I need thousands of words
for any. These are English and German. How can I integrate this?
English and German words together in the same alphabet, palace,
image...
Thank you!
----------
Thanks for these great questions and congratulations on having such high
aspirations!
First off, once you get deeper into the course, you'll find that you can use
either alphabet depending on whether or not you are using the principle of
"homophonic transliteration."
Typically, however, I would reserve homophonic transliteration for

languages that use a non-Latinate alphabet, such as Russian or Arabic.
That said, if you are studying Spanish and want to use the Magnetic
Memory Method in its fullest, then you will want a 27 Memory Palace
system rather than 26 in order to incorporate the ñ. In Italian it would be
21 Memory Palaces and 29 for Swedish.
As for memorizing more than one language at a time, Lecture 15

addresses this specifically. It's called "How to Memorize the Vocabulary
of More Than One Language at a Time."
But with specific reference to your question, here are some ideas about
how to tackle this issue.
The first thing to consider is that English and German share dozens, if not
hundreds of cognates and near-cognates. In some ways, to learn English is
to learn German and vice versa.
That said, these cognates rarely sound the same, so you may not want to
deal with them in the same Memory Palace. It's worth an experiment, but
only you can decide. You could in fact create a Memory Palace
specifically for dealing with the cognates, and if you do so, I would love
to hear your results.
One thing I've had success with when juggling more than one language at
a time is to try and use Memory Palaces located in the country of study.
For example, certain hotel rooms and streets in Copenhagen work great
for Danish and Memory Palaces based in Amatrice in Italy works really
great for Italian. Of course, we can't always visit these places so
immediately in order to identify and construct new Memory Palaces, so
this may or many not be a solution. But if you can take a trip in the near
future, it's a solution worth experimenting with (and England and
Germany are close enough to one another to comfortably visit both in a
single trip).
But here is probably the easiest thing to do and it's what I talk about in
Lecture 15. Imagine dividing each room or station in each Memory
Palace into "channels." If you set a predetermined rule that English will
allows be in "channel" one and German in channel two, you will not only
have space along that journey for more than one word per station, but you
have the potential benefit of strengthening what you are learning because
you will be seeing the relationships between these languages in many
cases.
Incidentally, by "channel" I am thinking of tracks, as in the tracks divided

by lines on a running racetrack. You would literally "draw a line" along
the floor of your journey and place the English words on one side, the
German on the other. If you set the rule from the outside in the
preparation and planning stage, you should have no problem managing
this (i.e. German always on the left, English always on the right).
Consistency is important in order to eliminate distractions during recall
and the unnecessary expenditure of energy.
If you're not already memorizing foreign language vocabulary, you'll find

a Magnetic baton waiting to help you succeed right here:
https://www.udemy.com/language-learning-online-magnetic-memory/
Until next time, join the Magnetic race and then teach someone else what
you've learned about Memory Palaces. Teaching a skill is one of the best
ways to learn it and helping people improve their memory is one of the
best ways we can make the world a better place. The more we remember,
the more we can remember. And the more we learn, the more we can
learn.
The Hunt for Red Memory Palaces In October
Dear Memorizers,
Gathering 26 Memory Palaces can be a challenge.
Case in point:
----------
I have a couple of questions for you. (when you have the time of course)
Well ... one is a question and the other is just me whining I think. lol
Let's get the whining part out of the way first. ;)
I'm having a hell of a time coming up with a list for my locations!!!
I sat for nearly an hour and toyed with places.
Some letters I could come up with MANY "perfect" locations ... yet others
.... NOTHING!
I mean NOTHING.
I couldn't even come up with a location I DIDN'T know! lol
Any suggestions here? :'
The other "question" is ... (and it's related to the previous)
When you decided to sit down with a dictionary and just give it a run,
did you simply start with the A's and just add them in alphabetical order?
If so ... did you just work your A location (Aberdeen Mall) to death? lol
Seriously.
The reason I ask is this.

I have a book (well ... it's actually named "1001 Most Useful Spanish
Words")
I love this book because the terms/words that are listed are the most
readily used and thus ... would be good lift to using the language fast.
Each entry shows an example as well .... so that is helpful in coming up

with "something" for the imagery.
All else, as you know would get eXaGgErAtEd. ;D
But I digress ... sorry.
So the issue in my head is ... do I bite the bullet and just learn the words
as they are in the book starting with A?
OR ... do I spend the time solidifying the A-Z locations list first?
I'm actually thinking ... that by the time I got the B's I might figure out the
perfect location.
The truth is ... I'm all set until I get to D or E ... that's when I start to run
into Location Holes. :(
Not sure if you have any advice here or not.
You can simply respond with "Good luck with all that Marc" and I would
not be surprised. lol
It's just ... I did not expect the Location Scouting to be THIS hard. :(
Hope all is well.
BTW ... got Volume One of your Magnetic Memory Monday's on my

Kindle.
I'm burning through it. :D
Cheers.
----------
First off, I don't think of this as whining. It can be a bit of a challenge the
first time around coming up with this many Memory Palaces. This is why
some people start with just ten, or even just one (see lecture 34,
"Lowering the Hurdle")
That said, I admire those who take the time to fully engage the Magnetic
Memory Method from the get-go by coming up with all 26 Memory
Palaces. And I encourage it because it saves you time and frustration later.
The 2-3 (maximum five) hours it will take to put this Memory Palace
sequence together will seem like peanuts later when you're flying over the
cornfields of vocabulary magnetically lodged in your mind.
The first thing I would say is that you might want to get looser about
linking each Memory Palace to its alphabetical equivalent. I've done this a
lot myself without incurring any damage - so to speak.
For example, I once had a very difficult time coming up with a Memory
Palace for the letter "L."
But later, working on setting up my Magnetic Memory Palace Network in

the completely relaxed state that I advocate, I realized that the layout of
the protagonist's house in David Lynch's Lost Highway is completely
fixed in my mind - so completely that it could almost be my own.
Now, there's a reason why this house is so vivid to me, part of which is
that I read the screenplay before I saw the film and screenplays often
make you more spatially aware of what you later see in the film. I also
happen to have seen this film dozens of times ...
Bingo. L = the house in Lost Highway.
The limitation to using a fictional Memory Palace like this is that the fixed
stations that I can link to what is actually seen on the screen is limited.
Nonetheless, using other locales in the film, I managed to create a very
effective and easy to use Memory Palace.
The next thing I would suggest is to think about how museums, libraries
and movie theaters could be stretched a little bit. For example, maybe you
saw Lord of the Rings at a particular movie theater. It's got six screening
rooms in which you can use each of the four corners to create a journey,
and perhaps the parking lot can be divided into stations as well. True, the
theater might be called "Cinema 6" (or whatever), but you could assign it
as an "L" Memory Palace by virtue of having had such a great experience
there.
In fact, the next time I need a "T" Memory Palace, I'm going to put this
very tip into action in the movie theater where I once worked as the night
janitor (thank the Magnetic heavens that using Memory Palaces helped
me get through graduate school because, as much as I love movies, that
job just wasn't doing much to sharpen my mind and put my time to good
use ...)
Finally, you can keep an eye out for opportunities to visit places and turn
them into Memory Palaces.
Haven't got a "Z" Memory Palace? Go to the Zoo.
Haven't got a "J" Memory Palace or a place that you can naturally
associate with the letter "J." Take a tour of a local casino and mentally
associate that building with a Joker or a Jack - if the casino hasn't already
done this itself. (Incidentally, I in no way advocate gambling or using my
book on memorizing a randomized deck of cards for the purposes of
counting cards or otherwise gaining an advantage at the card table!)
As for your question about sitting with the dictionary, I don't always
memorize word for word. I usually pick the ten-twelve words that are
most relevant to me at that time. And as taught in Lecture 12 on "word
division," I like to split the words into their component parts and focus on
creating Memory Palace journeys around these whenever possible?
Why?
1. Because I can use a "bridging figure" that floats along with all of the
words. This Magnetic little procedure greatly increases the ability to recall
each and every one of those words, and ...
2. It boosts fluency because you understand more about how the language
works almost instantly (although this is more true of some languages than
others depending on how prefixes and suffixes are structured to add or
modify the meaning of a root word).
As for using Aberdeen Mall to death, it's a starting point for a much
longer journey that ultimately goes across multiple parking lots (it's a big
mall), a movie theater and an assortment of restaurants, many of which I
assume have moved and been replaced (the fact of which disturbs my
Memory Palace efforts not in the least ... the ghosts of Restaurants Past
are perhaps the most Magnetic things of all).
That said, I've come to find that longer and longer journeys is not always
the best solution. That's why having multiple "A" Memory Palaces has
become an increasing favorite of mine and of those who use the Magnetic
Memory Method in earnest.
How that works is that you have a system like this:
Memory Palace A1
Memory Palace A2
Memory Palace A3 ...
How many stations you have in each of those Memory Palaces is

completely up to you, and the extent to which you alphabetically "link"
one to the other is also a personal decision.
At the end of the day, eXpEriMenTAtioN is the Magnetic name of the

game and I encourage you to try a few things. I think you're right that by
the time you're done with "A" that you'll most definitely have a "B"
Memory Palace figured out, but I can't encourage you enough to work to
get as many Memory Palaces set up in advance as you possibly can.
Why?
Because even if you do sit with the dictionary, sometimes you're going to
encounter words that aren't exactly alphabetized by virtue of where you
find them and you're going to want to have a place to stick them. This
happens when reading, listening to the radio, sitting in class or having a
conversation (all of which are great word harvesting experiences, so be
sure to have a pen and paper nearby to record all those delightful words
for Magnetic Memorization later on down the line).
Also, as soon as possible you should get a dictionary that is in the foreign
language you are studying. In other words, if you're studying Spanish,
move from an English-Spanish dictionary to a Spanish-Spanish dictionary
as quickly as possible.
There is no finer moment than the moment in which you can look up word
definitions and understand what they mean by reading definitions in the
language you're studying. Most languages have special dictionaries that
have easier-to-read definitions for language learners, so do what you can
to hunt one down and start using it right away. That way you can pick up
new words as you are reading alphabetically because you are essentially
reading multiple parts of the dictionary all at once.
When I say to start doing this "right away," I don't advocate frustrating
yourself, but as the masterful guitarist in my band says, too many teachers
make their students go slow. The best way to play scales is to play them
fast and clean them up later.
I kind of think the same way about memorizing foreign language

vocabulary:
A lot of half-understood definitions are easier to ratchet into tightly

understood networks of new vocabulary than waiting until you've
"perfected" all the possible meanings of just one word before moving on.
Again, personal experimentation is the name of the game ... sorry that I
can't be guru on that front, but doing as I do ain't nearly as Magnetic as
tossing the ingredients into the pot, stirring them around and then serving
them up on a warmed plate to see what comes of them.
And that's why I always recommend that people teach others what they've
learned about the Magnetic Memory Method - not because I need the
word-of-mouth advertising (though that is always nice), but because
teaching skills is by far the best way to learn them.
Want more help memorizing foreign language vocabulary using Memory

Palaces? Go here (there's a free lesson in the video at the top of the
screen):
Until next time, Magnetize, Magnetize, Magnetize and then teach
someone else what you've learned about Memory Palaces. Teaching a
skill is one of the best ways to learn it and helping people improve their
memory is one of the best ways we can make the world a better place. The
more we remember, the more we can remember. And the more we learn,
the more we can learn.
So A Memory Virus Walks Into A Bar And ...
Dear Memorizers,
Did you ever hear the one about the virus who walked into a bar? The
barman says "we don't serve viruses in here." So the virus replaces the
"host" and says, "Now we do!"
Well, I admit that this joke ain't that funny, but I was thinking about it
after receiving this question in my video course all about using Memory
Palaces to memorize foreign language vocabulary:
----------
Hi there,
I am trying to use this system for non language studies (microbiology).

Any suggestions? I cant seem to find a good way to organize related
concepts and terms, because they start from different letters and should be
in different palaces.
Thank you.
----------
Thanks for this question!
The brief answer is to go to Lecture 36 and download all of the volumes

of the Magnetic Memory Newsletter. You'll find hundreds of ideas that
will help you, including (in Volume 5) a chapter called "The Truth and
Lies About How to Memorize Concepts With Practical Examples."
The longer answer is to identify themes and create specific Memory

Palaces for these themes. For example, you could divide microbiology
into:
* Bacteriology
* Mycology
* Protozoology
* Phycology
* Parasitology
* Immunology
* Virology
* Nematology, etc. ...
If you are especially creative, you could create a "virtual" Memory Palace
(see Lecture 20 ). This could be a long hallway with multiple doors that
lead to each of these different themes or subtopics. If you are working on
a large campus with multiple buildings, each of these doors could lead to
one of these themes.
That said, I'm not a big fan of making imaginary Memory Palaces with all
kinds of doors that lead to real places. This is a very traditional teaching
and one that works gangbusters for some, not so well for others.
I myself would prefer to take the Magnetic Memory Worksheets and

modify them from the alphabetical format to a thematic format and using
my hand (because the hand builds the brain) actually assign each theme a
Memory Palace. You could still use the buildings on a campus and create
journeys within them, but not have them all linked together in a central,
imaginary Memory Palace.
Campuses are perfect for this because they are often isolated mini-cities
with very carefully defined routes between the buildings and its easy to
remember where they are and what they are called. It would also be a
simple matter to imagine the building you are using for bacteriology
covered in bacteria, the one for protozoology as a zoo crawling with apes
and virology exploding with viruses, etc.
If you are able to use very small places in your Memory Palaces rather
than journeying from room to room, another option would be to use a
library and assign a row of books to each of these themes. You could
"browse" from term to term on the shelves after you've used the Magnetic
Memory principles to store them along the journey.
Ultimately, personal experimentation based on the main principles of the

Magnetic Memory Method will bring you the success you seek.
Until next time, dear Memorizers, get infected by the Magnetic Memory
Method and then teach someone else what you've learned about Memory
Palaces. Teaching a skill is one of the best ways to learn it and helping
people improve their memory is one of the best ways we can make the
world a better place. The more we remember, the more we can remember.
And the more we learn, the more we can learn.
A Rehash Of The Aristotle Method of Memorization
Dear Memorizers,
Under the title "A rehash of the Aristotle method of memorization,"

someone on Amazon wrote about one of my books:
----------
Promised something new and different, but this method is at least 2,400
years old. And it's as hard to implement as it was then.
----------
Well, it's true that Aristotle wrote some stuff about mnemonics and his
writings were even critical to the reemergence of mnemonics in the
medieval period (not that the West has some kind of monopoly on
mnemonics, mind you).
Anyhow, the idea that mnemonics are hard to implement is suspect.
What isn't suspect is the fact that most horses don't drink. No matter how
magnetic the pond.
Look, Aristotle and all those other ancient dudes apparently didn't find
mnemonics all that difficult.
Nor did the thousands, if not millions of other Magnetic Memorizers over
all of those thousands of years.
If these "Magnetics" weren't effective, they wouldn't have survived.
And they certainly wouldn't have become the topics of multiple TED
Talks, not to mention the theme of Joshua Foer's bestselling (and
Magnetic) Moonwalking with Einstein.
The difference between all the other books on memorization techniques,

Aristotle, the other ancient dudes and what I do couldn't be greater.
Not only have I made everything easier, I've given you a plan in the form
of the Magnetic Memory Worksheets. They practically fill themselves
out.
Next, I write the Magnetic Memory Newsletter. Sure, there's "cry me a

Magnetic river" emails like this from time to time in which I pull out my
Magnetic sword and slash at my naysayers, but usually I've got nothing
but goods for you. For example, in the last seven months, I've covered all
of the following (and here I'm listing less than 50% of the ideas you've
had the chance to read):
* The truth and lies about how to memorize concepts (with practical
examples).
* Why rehearsing memorized material backwards is one of the most

powerful memorization techniques in the world.
* How to use TV and Movies to create effective Memory Palaces.
* The secret relationship between Batman and memory techniques.
* How to overcome the "Seven Deadly Sins" of memory.
* Why "3D" Memory Palaces betray the power of your mind.
* How to tell the future with memorization techniques.
* How to avoid the dangers of memory "charlatans".
* How to deal with personal memories that get in the way of your
Memory Palace journeys.
* The best ways to read your book from the Magnetic Memory series.
* Precisely how memory techniques help fight depression.
* How to memorize foreign language cognates and conjunctions.
* How memorization multiplies your intelligence.

* How to use a GPS navigator to help improve your memory.
* 7 ways to be the MacGuyver of memorization.
* How to defeat the "willy-nilly" approach to memorization once and for

all.
* How to build Memory Palaces that work like roller-coasters (i.e.

automatic, thrilling and fun!)
* Why speed reading may be the ultimate enemy of memorization.
* How to use the secrets of "Bibliomancy" to learn and memorize.
* The power of vocalization for memorization.
* How to shoot for the moon with your memorization efforts.
* The key steps to memorizing systematically.
* How to focus on improving your memory the right way.
* Compounding your associative imagery.
* Why meditation will solve just about any memorization problem - fast!
* The most important words memorizers around the world want to store in
their Memory Palaces forever.
* Why having a bad memory and practicing memorization badly are not
the same thing.
* How memorizing a deck of cards can be used to heal patients.
* The real secrets behind memorization wizardry.
* The "permission-based" memorization technique that will send your

memory soaring.
* How to overcome learning disabilities and other imaginary barriers.

* How to memorize sheet music and/or tablature.
* The power of memorizing foreign language palindromes.
* The right attitude to have when it comes to magnetically memorizing

tonnes of vocabulary and other information.
* How to "localize" material that you've memorized.
* Why the Magnetic Memory Method is not a game of "follow the guru"
(and how to take my knowledge and make it your own).
* How to easily memorize grammar rules.
* How to build Memory Palaces effectively, even if you live in the

countryside.
* How to overcome the resistance and negativity we hold about our

memory abilities.
* How and why memory skills improve different parts of the brain.
* How to memorize page numbers (so you don't have to dog-ear your
books when you haven't got a bookmark).
* 4 reasons why "memorization" is the dirtiest word in the world.
* Ever more on the faults of rote learning and the benefits of mnemonics.
* A list of amazing dictionaries you can use to find and memorize dozens
of amazing words in any foreign language.
* How to avoid getting caught up in perfectionism.
* How and why working with Memory Palaces helps defeat depression.
* How to avoid having your friends think you're insane for using Memory
Palaces (and make the world a better place).
* How to overcome exhaustion and still recall memorized information in
the thick of battle.
* A special game to help you memorize names and faces.
* The perfect age to start using memorization techniques.
* The truth about "stepping outside of your comfort zone."
* Why using Memory Palaces is not a "sometimes-affair."
* How to easily use emotion, gusto, verve and innuendo in your

memorization efforts.
* And much, much more ...
Call me crazy, but if the Ted Talks you can watch on YouTube, the
wealth of books written by masters and hacks alike and yours (not so
humbly, but always) truly haven't made mnemonic and memorization
strategies as simple as they're ever going to be ...
I simply don't know what to say other than that pointing the finger at
"2,400" year old techniques and calling them hard is like saying people
should be riding Penny-farthings because they're easier to pedal and steer!
As it happens, it gets even easier in my video course. But if you're worried

that some of what I do might rehash Aristotle (sheesh!) ... forgeddaboudit.
One last note: I've got a very limited number of coupons for my new
audiobook called "How to Memorize Names & Faces."
Leave me a quick review on your book from the Magnetic Memory series
or the video course that supports the mnemonics renaissance, send me a
copy, and I'll send you one of these coupons. You'll love Chris Brinkley's
reading style.
But you need to act fast because these coupons are going fast - and every
day that you don't have a dedicated strategy for memorizing names and
faces, you are literally missing out on a level of social success that you
can't afford to live without.
Until next time, dear Memorizers, magnetize them sticks and stones and
then teach someone else what you've learned about Memory Palaces.
Teaching a skill is one of the best ways to learn it and helping people
improve their memory is one of the best ways we can make the world a
better place. The more we remember, the more we can remember. And the
more we learn, the more we can learn.
Nike's Biggest Memorizing Foreign Language Vocabulary Tip
Dear Memorizers,
Fiona Webster, a writer and essayist who reads the Magnetic Memory
Newsletter picked up on an idea I forwarded y'all some weeks ago.
It had to do with the phenomenon of getting motivated by the process of

memorizing foreign language vocabulary using Memory Palaces instead
of waiting for motivation to land with the grace of an eagle.
Ain't gonna happen. At least not often, and certainly not with any staying
power.
Here's what Fiona writes (pay attention in particular to her closing

sentence):
----------
There was in fact a brain study, Anthony, that backs up the notion that
action precedes motivation. For many years it was thought that first the
so-called "executive" part of the brain-the frontal lobe, right behind your
forehead-makes a plan, then the plan is carried out by the motor cortex,
which is next to the frontal lobe, but further back. But imaging of people's
brains with MRI showed just the opposite: when someone makes a
deliberate action, the motor pathways commanding those parts of the
body light up before the executive pathways. This, and other studies-such
as one showing that when someone is asked to deliberately smile, frown,
or scowl, they then proceed to feel the emotion they willed their face to
express-have led to the notion that our brains construct narratives to
explain our actions to ourselves. First we do something, then we tell
ourselves that we were motivated, or feeling an emotion, that led to that
action. We're very good at coming up with these stories, which then,
depending on how the action turns out, guide and reinforce future
behavior.
The gist of it is, the Nike ad line of "Just do it" is right in line with how
our brains work. If you're stuck thinking that you need motivation, or need
to feel ready, to get off square one, you should just throw yourself into
that activity: the motivation and the feeling will come along afterwards, to
keep you on track.
I've found this to be very true of my learning French. I had some

motivation before I started, which is that I'm approaching sixty. As you
know, learning a new language has been shown to be an excellent way to
keep an aging brain in tip-top condition. But that's all rather abstract to
me, and to tell the truth, not very motivating. But I threw myself into it
anyway. Then, not long after I started, I met a fascinating person online
who is a native French speaker in Belgium. Corresponding via frequent
emails in French with that person became a powerful motivator. And then
as I mastered the basics of the language, I started reading French novels,
and that in turn became even more motivating. When my novel reading
led to frustration over how slowly I was learning vocabulary by rote
memorization, I sought out help with that, and discovered your book on
the memory palace technique. Now that I'm memorizing vocabulary with
your methods, I'm even more motivated to keep at it, because the methods
themselves are inherently rewarding.
I truly believe that this is a case where you don't need a means to the end:
the memory palace technique becomes an end in itself.
-peace,
Fiona Webster
----------
There's not much I can add here, other than to remind you that in Volume
2 of the Magnetic Memory Newsletter I gave you 88 Themes you can use
when writing to or speaking with tandem partners. I also told you in that
volume about polyglotclub.com where you can find people eager to learn
your mother tongue while helping you learn and discuss in theirs.
Add the Magnetic Memory Method to the mix as instructed in my 88

Themes and you'll not only be motivated, but you'll soon be reading,
writing and speaking with the grace of an eagle.
Until next time, just do it and then teach someone else what you've
I See A Red Memory And I Want To Paint It Magnetic
Dear Memorizers,
Have you heard about the law of diminishing returns?
Someone suggested to me that this rule could make the Magnetic Memory
Method less effective.
Naturally, this possibility made me pause.
Being the professor I am, I looked into the matter and found that the law
of diminishing returns comes from economics and says that adding one
more factor of production while holding all others constant will yield
lower returns.
In other words, if you have a giant paint factory and you add more
workers, instead of winding up with greater output due to increased
"horsepower," so to speak, you wind up with a bunch of workers
interfering with one another, not to mention chatting over the boiling pots
of paint for hours. You get less for more.
Could this be the case with adding more vocabulary to your brain?
Could having more words diminish your ability to speak?
Worse, could having a dedicated Memory Palace system lead to self-

interference? ...
I think not, dear Memorizers.
Why?
Because your brain ain't a factory and it sure as Magnets ain't run on
economic theories.
The fact of the matter is that the more words you have to draw on will
never interfere with your ability to speak.
Rather, having a larger pool of words will increase your ability to think
and to comprehend.
And this is as true of your dream foreign language as it is of your mother

tongue.
Sure, lots of words mean the same thing, but synonyms usually evoke
different concepts and images.
"Tundra," for example, creates a different image and feeling than
"plateau" even though, technically speaking, tundra is a plateau (though a
plateau is not necessarily tundra).
But do these linguistic facts "interfere" with another and lead to

diminishing returns?
No way, dear Memorizers.
Such wonderful crossovers and mixtures leads to a greater depth of

experience, not only in your own mind, but in the minds of everyone you
speak to.
Just make sure to keep your nose in the paint and not riding the sky - no
one likes a smart-Alec, no matter how Magnetic.
No, if you've got an advanced vocabulary (and surely by now, yours is

truly Magnetic), then Yowza baby, use it for good.
And if you want a video walkthrough that will give you an advanced
vocabulary in any language, take advantage of my 30 Day, (Magnetic)
Iron Clad, "Magnetic Decision" guarantee here:
Act now with the coupon code october9th2013 and enjoy a $20 discount
on your one-time investment in the Magnetic Memory Method video
training.
But ...
... there are only 15 coupons and they won't last the 24 hours they're
available so be sure to roll them Magnets in the right direction:
Until next time, paint the world Magnetic and then teach someone else
we can learn.
The Little Magnetic Memorizer Who Could
Dear Memorizers,
Ever read "The Little Engine That Could"?
Pretty syrupy stuff, I must admit.
But I loved it as a kid.
And it must have influenced me because I'm as stubborn as a speeding

train and all my couplings are Magnetic.
Anyhow, I heard from someone recently that my newsletters are filled

with "reminders" that memorizing foreign language vocabulary using
Memory Palaces is a lot of hard work.
What?
Oh no no no no no.
Hard play in the imagination sandbox, perhaps ... but work? Never.
Tenacity
Tenacity, however, is the name of the game. If you don't get it the first
time, try again. 90% of the people who try to learn a new skill give up the
first time it doesn't work. That means that every time you try just one
more time after a failure or a lesser result than you hoped for, you place
yourself well-above 90% of those who gave up.
Them's the facts.
Then there's the matter of ...
Letting go
A lot of people I talk to just can't give up the idea that they have a poor
memory.
It's a huge step, I know.
It took me a long time to get over it and realize that I have an amazing
memory.
And it gets better every day. Every time I practice.
Now, I'm not chasing after Memory championships or anything like that.
Just foreign language study, memorizing poetry, music ... stuff like that.
But it would never have happened to me without letting go of the nasty,

purulent and, quite frankly, unethical idea that anyone in the world has a
bad memory.
It just ain't so.
Feed
I'm not suggesting you go for the jugular like a Magnetic Vampire, but I
do think you've got to read as many other writers on mnemonics as you
possibly can. Yes, I'm a towering Magnetic in the world of mnemonics,
but seriously, dear Memorizers, no man is an island unto himself. Even if
his island is Magnetic.
I've given you loads of recommendations on who else to read and Google
and Amazon will do the same.
Get in there.
Know your mission
When people ask me about coaching, I usually ask them if they're really
serious about using a Memory Palace and make it a prerequisite that they
need to fill out and submit the Magnetic Memory Worksheets first.
A small percentage do (see the point about tenacity above) - and they are
amazing people.
It tells me that they know their mission. And that their mission is truly,
truly Magnetic.
Frankly, if you haven't got a tiny fraction of time to fill out the Magnetic
Memory Worksheets, you ain't gonna have time to run the Magnetic
hoops I'll be putting you through.
At the same time, you also won't experience the amazing breakthroughs
my hard-to-hire coaching generates.
Sorry, but them's the rules (and that's Magnetically ironic apologizing,
BTW).
Be prepared for amazing results
I've talked about this before: people don't work on the promise of
unbelievable abilities because they fear the results. I was like this with
music. I was terrified by what would happen if I actually rejoined my
band and went out on tour. What if we were successful? What if people
actually liked our music and called for an encore and hired us back for
more?
Weird, but it's true. Success creates responsibilities. Success is a super-

power. Success is something that has to be shared.
Same thing with having a large vocabulary in your dream language, a

natural side-effect of using a Memory Palace system (ideally the Magnetic
Memory Method) for memorizing foreign language vocabulary.
If you know the words, you'll simply have to use them.
You'll understand them when you read them. You'll understand them
when you hear them. You'll understand them when you speak them.
Your life will change.

It will improve, of course, but watch out, dear Memorizers, because the
results are going to be amazing.
And it ain't true that there's nothing to fear but fear itself.
What you need to fear is the inaction that comes from being fearful.
I know that's only a slight difference, but it's an important one all the
same.
Teach others
I don't think I have to go deep on this one. It's in my closing lines every
day, after all.
Before I go, Volume 7 of the Magnetic Memory Newsletter is finally
available for those of you who like to read it on your Kindle devices.
Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FOR5XQA
I really Magnetized all the stops on this one so that you might learn:
* How to deal with - and possibly - overcome ADHD using Memory

Palaces.
* Why Magneto is a better memorization role model than either the Joker
or Batman.
* The "feel-good" keys to the kingdom of advanced memory skills.
* Secret (and easy) techniques for memorizing names and faces.
* How to eliminate the inevitable confusion that comes from poorly

constructed Memory Palaces.
* The incredible link between meditation and memory skills.
* How to boost your concentration when reading so you can memorize the
stuff once and for all.
* Why running your hands along the walls may improve your foreign
language vocabulary memorization efforts.
* How to build up to 20,000 words and more in your quest for fluency.
* The hidden mastery skills you'll need to keep your Memory Palace
journeys linear.
* The real reasons why advanced memory skills for everyone would have
prevented 9/11 (and all other wars).
* Why memorizing Chinese is easier than dealing with a hangover.
* Precisely why the need for motivation is a myth and how to exploit it.
* How to avoid going outside in your Memory Palaces (if for some reason
you've got a cold and might die from even just a tiny draft of fresh
Memory Palace air).
* Why you should never play "follow the memorizer" and how to do your
own thing for maximum success.
* How to "like" the words you are trying to memorize so that they stick in
your mind better.
* How to "shoo" procrastination out of your life so that you can make real
advances in your language memorization efforts.
* Why you should never fail to dare.
* The absolutely best (and most Magnetic) way to use to-do lists.
* How to put your "abs" into the memorization process.
* The most effective way to use elevators in your Memory Palaces so that
you can build nearly infinitive networks of them and memorize massive
amounts of vocabulary starting right now.

So if you want to get all cozy with Kindle, I guarantee the Magnetic
Memory Newsletter won't wipe out your data. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Quite the opposite, indeed.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FOR5XQA
Until next time, do all of the above and then teach someone else what
learn.
Your Magnetic Memory Capacity Is Full (That'll Be The Day ...)
Dear Memorizers,
Another great question has rolled into my video course about using a
dedicated Memory Palace system for learning and memorizing foreign
language vocabulary.
----------
Looking at your excel files it seems like there is one word stored per
station, is that correct?
If so, that would make the whole system capacity rather limited, e.g. if I
had 26 palaces with 10 stations each, it would help me to remember 260
words?
----------
Thanks for this question!
In the example I have given, yes, there is one word per station. There is
also typically an entire phrase for each word patterned out as well.
However, keep in mind that I advocate 10 stations per Memory Palace to

get started. Lecture 34 addresses the need for some people to be more
modest in their efforts at the beginning.
However, some people go gangbusters straight out of the gate and build
journeys with 300 stations and up within a single Memory Palace.
If you use virtual Memory Palaces or virtual Memory Palace elements

(see Lecture 20), you'll find a number of strategies that will help you build
many, many stations within individual Memory Palaces.
It's limited only by how much creativity and passion you want to put into
your Memory Palace efforts.
There is some debate in the world of mnemonics about the "computational

limits" of the human brain to juggle so much information ...
... but I don't buy into it.

Why? Because they're talking about the abstract and usually irrelevant
information that people memorize as part of the World Memory
Championships. There's nothing wrong with such athleticism, of course,
but it's no way to judge the matter of using Memory Palaces to boost
fluency with stunning results that, when correctly and diligently used, will
lead to fluency.
This is because vocabulary is Magnetic. The more you know, the more
you can know, especially when you know enough to read the dictionary in
your dream foreign language, (i.e. not an English-Russian dictionary, but
a Russian-Russian dictionary).
And as long as you're memorizing foreign language vocabulary, I'm here

as your "coach in a video course" so feel free to post more questions any
time.
For complete access to this video course and over 5 hours of dedicated
Memory Palace for foreign language learning training, go here:
Until next time, realize that your mind knows no limits and then teach
Healing The Wounds Of Magnetic Memorization
Dear Memorizers,
A friend of the Magnetic Memory family sent me a quote some time ago.
It's from Ernest Hemingway about writing:
----------
"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and
bleed."
----------
Hyperbole?
Maybe.
Maybe not.
But sometimes I hear from people who have tried the Magnetic Memory
Method who tell me something very similar.
It's too hard.
It takes longer than rote-learning.
I can't. I won't. I don't.
Sometimes I wish I could say "no problemo."
I mean, I doubt that Hemingway wanted a world filled with Hemingways.

The more bloody typewriters, the more competition for reading time.
But when it comes to memorizing and using the vast amounts of foreign
language vocabulary you're going to need to even approach the fluency
we all dream of ...
We gotta wake up and smell the Magnets.

Maybe I'm crazy. Maybe I'm subjective. Maybe I just don't give up, but I
simply cannot understand what's so difficult about mnemonics.
It's not like I'm teaching you to sit down at the dictionary and bleed.
I'm teaching you to open your creative mind and keep on opening it so
that the words of the world can spill in.
And they will.
Just build 26 Memory Palaces. Start with 10 if that's too much. Heck, start
with one. I'll probably never stop advocating building all 26 first around
the alphabet, but that's because I refuse to underestimate people. (No one
ever reached the top of Mount Everest by setting ten steps as their goal,
after all).
Learn the principles of imagery, action, word division and bridging

figures.
It only takes a few hours. Yes, that's like taking one big step back.
But it's like taking a step back into the seat of a slingshot. You will be
going double, triple and quadruple times faster just for making this small
investment in yourself.
If you're not already in, go here for a free lesson and details about the
course:
Until next time, stitch the world Magnetic and then teach someone else
we can learn.
I Memorize The Poem Magnetic
Dear Memorizers,
Tagore was a pretty stand up dude as far as poets go.
Plus, he broke the rules of language a hundred times over, refusing to

follow rigid conventions and fussy grammar rules.
Anyhow, I was reading his book Stray Birds (which you can online free
here or even free for your Kindle here).
There's some beautiful ideas in it and if you're into memorizing poetry,

the pieces are very short and great for brief memorization practice
sessions.
Here's a great little gem that pertains to memorizing foreign language

vocabulary using a Memory Palace network:
----------
You are the big drop of dew under the lotus leaf, I am the smaller one on
its upper side," said the dewdrop to the lake.
----------
It's a great image, one that suggests not only that all water belongs
together, but that every drop magnetically clings to whatever surface it
may be touching even as it is magnetically drawn to its source.
Vocabulary ain't so different.
There aren't a whole lot of words that exist on their own (though the term
for words that maybe/sort-of do have an independent existence is "hapax
legomenon").
If we were to revise Tagore (after inviting him to join the Magnetic

Memory Family, of course), we could say that:
Language is the big drop of dew under the speaking tongue and each
piece of vocabulary is the smaller drop on the upper side.
Ah words, how magnetically you cling. Especially if you have a dedicated

memorization strategy.
If you're not already Memorizing the poetry of your dream foreign

language Magnetic, go here to find out more:
For the next 24 hours use coupon code "october13th2013" for a surprise
investment discount. But Magnetize fast because there are only 50 of
these to go around and they won't last.
Until next time, drip drop and then teach someone else what you've
Columbus Memorized The Magnet Blue
Dear Memorizers,
Today is Columbus Day for some so I won't bother all of you for long.
I'll let these fine people Magnetize you instead:
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2013/09/how-your-memory-works-and-
three-ways-to-improve-it/
Why should you read this article?
It's got some cool diagrams and floor plans of what a half-decent Memory
Palace might look like.
I say "might" because you can't really use that one.
You've got to use your own.
In fact, you'll need 26 or more in order to use the Magnetic Memory

Method in its full, Magnetic glory.
One way or another, there's mental magic out there that will change your
life (if you're not already using a dedicated memorization strategy).
I don't agree with everything this articles says, but then again ...
... neither would Columbus.
Check it out:
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2013/09/how-your-memory-works-and-
three-ways-to-improve-it/
Until next time, sail the magnetic blue with discount code "columbusday"
(click before all 10 coupons in the Magnetic treasure chest are snapped
up) and then teach someone else what you've learned about Memory
Palaces. Teaching a skill is one of the best ways to learn it and helping
people improve their memory is one of the best ways we can make the
world a better place. The more we remember, the more we can remember.
And the more we learn, the more we can learn.
Magnetic Words Even A Child Can Memorize
Dear Memorizers,
I woke up with a fever and stomach ache - the same sickness I've had for
the past several days (not that I let such things get in the way of my
productivity).
At first I popped open my Kindle and read a little, but the light disturbed
my girlfriend. She's also sick and I can't help but feel guilty for bringing it
upon her.
So here I sit in the kitchen at the laptop with a heavy heart, lightened only
by writing to you about memorizing vocabulary. It's cold and even the
cactus feels it as the city starts to rumble at 5 a.m. on the other side of the
window.
Anyway, before firing up the word processor, I read a bit of Dan

Kennedy.
As usual, he said something shocking.
But not his usual audacious commentary on matters of business.
This time he was talking about vocabulary.
Not foreign language vocabulary, but a fact about English vocabulary that
makes my mother tongue suddenly seem very foreign to me.
I usually ignore all of this talk about "the dumbing down of America," but
Kennedy says that (he's writing back in 2009) the average vocabulary of
an episode of The Sopranos was 75 words.
(Who knew anyone was counting?)
That means that only 75 individual vocabulary words were used

throughout the entire series, and repeatedly so.
For better or worse, each and every one of these words were simple
words. Words, Kennedy not-so subtly suggests, specifically tailored for
the "ignorant" and "illiterate."
To be fair, The Sopranos is a show about gangsters, but this dearth of

sophisticated vocabulary is nonetheless a cause for concern.
And not just because I'm in the business of helping others memorize
foreign language vocabulary and want them to sail over the Magnetic
moon with as many words in their pocket as possible.
Especially good words.
Rich words. Evocative words.
Magnetic words.
It's also disturbing because the key to all expression, both philosophical
and artistic is vocabularistic variation used to come at the same thing from
multiple angles. "Standing in the shadows," after all will never be the
same thing as "lurking in the nefarious shafts of pale light jutting through
the blinds."
Purple prose?
Perhaps.
But I'll take purple prose in droves if a 75 word limit is my only other
choice (Kennedy points out that most pet dogs know 20 words and have
the potential to know many more - I would add that they can also learn
relatively complex sign language, even from hands painted purple).
Alarmist fears of cultural destruction aside through Orwellian Newspeak

aside, here's a cool suggestion:
When writing advertising copy, Kennedy says that he started using a

dictionary for kids instead of Roget's Super Thesaurus. He's even gone so
far as to have children read his writing back to him and eliminate all and
every word they stumble over.
This gives me the idea that we as foreign language memorizers might seek
out dictionaries written for children in our dream target languages.
The benefit of doing this is not only that we'll quickly gather up the
"simple" words, but we'll quickly be able to read the dictionary definitions
within the target language itself (a top priority, in my not-so-humble, but
always Magnetic opinion).
Now then. Before I get back to my fever, let me suggest that ...
Until next time, memorize some childish words and then teach someone
else what you've learned about Memory Palaces. Teaching a skill is one of
the best ways to learn it and helping people improve their memory is one
of the best ways we can make the world a better place. The more we
we can learn.
Please Don't Memorize Orwellian Newspeak
Dear Memorizers,
Recently I had my heart broken.
Someone tried to respond to this YouTube video I created for you, dear
Memorizers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ6j5d7Dvgo
He couldn't find a way to leave a video response.
Why?
Because YouTube has eliminated this feature.
Worse, they're now imposing a character limit on responses.
I couldn't even post YouTube's own notice about the change on a

YouTube page ...
As you know, I teach vocabulary memorization. You might say that I'm
Magnetically drawn to it.
But sometimes I worry that there won't be any words left to help people
memorize when character limits finally boil down to .5.
Not that a fraction of a word wouldn't be interesting. Or even a fraction of

a letter:
A minus / equals -\
That sort of thing.
But as much as I love George Orwell and his ideas about "Newspeak" in
the novel 1984, to see it happening before our very eyes is rather sad.
What can be done?

Memorize all the foreign language you can using a Memory Palace
system.
Keep the world of words robust by using your vocabulary every day and
in as many languages as you can.
And in the absence of speech, we always have video, so you can easily
make videos crammed full of all the speech you care to speak.
That would be lovely.
And if you help learning more foreign language vocabulary words than
you can shake your Magnet at, go here:
Until next time, dear Memorizers, fear character limits and then teach
[Note: it appears that since 22 November 2013, YouTube has since
reversed this negative trend. I was able to leave a longer response to a
question without having a character count/word count limit. Hooray for
sanity!]
Did Ogden Memorize Vocabulary Or Just Stick It Into Lists?
Dear Memorizers,
Long time Magnetic Memorizer Joshua Smith, author of Breaking

Through To Fluency and Brazilian Barbeque Secrets (yum), sent me this
resource:
http://ogden.basic-english.org/
As Joshua writes:
----------
I came across this last night and I can't believe I haven't heard about it
before.
I know many people ask you which words they should memorize first.
Here they are http://ogden.basic-english.org/
The puzzle is much smaller now. ;-)

----------
Now, you may be reading this and couldn't give a Magnetic hoot about
basic English.
However, this is a powerful resource because you can use these lists of
words to figure out the kinds of words you might want to focus on in your
dream foreign language.
Here's what you can do (if you're learning English, skip the translation
part):
1. Pick a letter. "J" for example (in honor of Joshua who brought us this
link).
2. Create a Memory Palace for the letter "J" if you already haven't. Make
sure you've identified at least 10 stations, that you don't trap yourself in
the Memory Palace and don't cross your own path.
3. Find the letter "J" on the site Joshua suggested to us. Here's a sample
list I plucked out:
Basic: jelly , jewel , join , journey , judge , jump .

Intl: January , jazz , July , June .
Next: jam , jaw , jealous , jerk , joint , jug , juice , jury , justice .
Endings: jeweler , joiner
4. Go to your favorite online translator or physical dictionary of your

dream language and sort out what these words are in your target language.
5. Get relaxed. I recommend never using the Magnetic Memory Method

without being relaxed first.
6. Create a "bridging figure" if you can. Michael Jackson or Michael

Jordan come to mind, but so do Jack Nicholson and other people who
have portrayed the Joker. The world would be your oyster here if it wasn't
so busy being your Magnet.
7. Follow all the usual Magnetic Memory Method principles shared with
basic mnemonics (make sure your associative imagery is bright, vibrant,
large, colorful and filled with the zaniest action you can cook up).
8. Keep a record and rehearse. The Excel file video in the course will
teach you how.
9. Rehearse again according to the regular schedule I've suggested or

create a schedule of your own. This Magnetic Memory Method of
"spaced-repetition" requires no software and uses only your brain,
something to write with and a pencil. Remember: avoid rote learning at all
costs.
10. Rejoice! You've got a whole pile of new words in your mind ready to
be Magnetized into your next foreign language conversation. Or, if you're
just reading or watching a movie, prepare for the meaning of these words
to be Magnetized into your brain when you encounter them.
That's it for me, but if you want to extend your thanks to Joshua for
sending us this resource, I highly recommend that you check out one of
his books . Magnetic word on the street is that he's got another one
coming out soon for kids that might, just might have some new angles on
mnemonics ... stay tuned.
Until next time, talk to Odgen and then teach someone else what you've
Only 850 Magnetic Words To Fluency!
Dear Memorizers,
Just to follow up on yesterday's great resource sent in by Joshua Smith, as

he and I were chatting a little bit about the power of Ogden's Basic
English Dictionary, he wrote:
----------
ONLY 850 words! Man, that's a very doable task for anybody - even a
child.
I've told many people that in my opinion most people use less than 500
different vocabulary words per day, because we always say the same
thing: we'll say good morning 100 x's but it's only 2 words.
----------
Agreed.
I'm not saying that fluency is a walk in the park.
But it certainly isn't Mission Impossible either.
If you create just 26 Memory Palaces with 10 stations per Palace, that's
260 words.
Add 10 more stations to each Memory Palace and you've got 520. Maybe
you need to create a couple more Memory Palaces.
No big deal.
Get yourself relaxed.
Whip out your Magnetic Memory worksheets.
Rustle 'em up.
Some people say I'm a nasty old professor who expects far too much from
his students.
Others think I'm an idealist.
The truth is that I'm a kind, young man who happens to be a realist.
A realist about the power of your mind and the infallible technology
known to humankind as mnemonics.
It doesn't matter who you learn them from.
They have, will, can, do and must work.
But I can't control who uses the awesome power of mnemonics.
I can't drag people to the Magnetic pool to drink.
I can only do my best to show them the way.
And thanks to Joshua, we have a profound resource in the form of

Ogden's Basic English.
Yes, you've got to spend a few moments of your time translating each
word you want to learn into your dream language so you can store it in a
Memory Palace.
And yes, you've got to have a Memory Palace in the first place (at least 26
will do you a lot better for learning and memorizing foreign language
vocabulary).
If I have somehow failed you in making the Magnetic Memory Method

magnetically clear, please let me know. I will bend every Magnet I own
backwards in order to ensure that the method is understandable,
implementable, fun, elegant and easy to use.
850 words.
It ain't exactly asking for a miracle.
But if for some reason you haven't already learned the Magnetic Memory
Method, the entrance to the heaven of using Memory Palaces to learn and
memorize foreign language vocabulary awaits you:
Until next time, speak to Ogden and then teach someone else what you've
Smells Like Magnetic Memory Spirit
Dear Memorizers,
Noel over at http://www.smartlanguagelearner.com/ asked to be part of a

round up of experts on language learning recently.
In my boundless enthusiasm for helping people memorize foreign

language vocabulary using a dedicated Memory Palace system (a.k.a. The
Magnetic Memory Method), I wrote too many words.
As it turns out, I wrote him a completely new piece that suits his excellent
purposes a lot better (you'll get to see that soon), but I don't exactly want
to toss this answer in the Magnetic trash bin.
Are you interested in my answer to the following question?
----------
If there was one method for learning vocabulary that you'd recommend to
the world, which one would it be?
----------
The number one recommendation I have for language learners is to pick a

dedicated memorization strategy and make it work for you.
What is a "dedicated memorization strategy?"
It's a method of memorizing foreign language vocabulary that allows you

to quickly memorize a word or a phrase and recall it with a minimum of
effort each and every time you want it.
Sounds like a fantasy, doesn't it?
It isn't.
Can be done. Has been done. Will be done.
There are really two kinds of dedicated memorization strategies: rote

learning and mnemonics.
Most people pick rote learning, a practice I speak against (though I will
suggest a better way of approaching rote learning a few paragraphs from
now if you want to go that route).
I've talked a lot about why rote learning and related strategies such as
spaced-repetition software are the weakest of memorization strategies in
the Magnetic Memory Newsletter, often to the point of controversy. In
brief, rote learning "externalizes" your memorization efforts rather than
"internalizing" them.
When you're repeatedly looking at index cards or writing down the same
word hundreds of times or being fed a series of words through spaced-
repetition software, your attention is focused outwards.
Mnemonics, on the other hand, focuses your attention inwards. You are
not hammering a word into your brain, but softly absorbing it through a
process of imagination.
I'll admit that the Magnetic Memory Method, which I originally devised
while studying German, is fairly elaborate.
But it's also cutting edge mnemonic technology.
Why?
Because it teaches you how to use mnemonics in a systematic way based

on familiar locations and material that you already know so that when you
are searching for a word in your mind, you are literally going into your
mind to find the word. The words you are looking for are never linked to
external pieces of paper or software. They are in you.
Why is this important?
If you really want to be fluent, you've got to have a far larger pool of
vocabulary that is far more accessible than rote learning will ever likely
allow.
Moreover, you want to be able to draw connections between words, which

is more quickly and effectively established by using the principles of
"word division" and "bridging characters," as taught in the Magnetic
Memory Method.
I can't get into the ins-and-outs of the Magnetic Memory Method here, but
in brief, you're going to create a series of Memory Palaces.
In the beginning, it's best to start with just one.
Later, you can create more.
As readers of the Magnetic Memory Newsletter know, there's really no

end to how many Memory Palaces you can create.
Take the place you live, for example.
Pick one room.
Your bedroom, perhaps.
Imagine that you want to memorize the word "porcupine." Yes, I realize
that you already know this word, but for the sake of example, it helps to
have some shared ground.
We want to create an image that will help us memorize this word. There
are all kinds of ways to do it, but one of the best is to divide the word up
into component pieces.
For example, we have "por," "cu," and "pine."
If we create an image, or even a mini-vignette for each piece of this word,

we greatly improve the chances that we'll recall the word later.
Let's start with "por."
"Por" sounds like "pour," so get an image in your mind of someone

(yourself, perhaps) pouring from a jar.
What are you pouring?

The letter Q, of course (i.e. "cu").
What are you pouring Q onto?
A pine tree, or better yet, a porcupine bursting with pine trees.
This is pretty memorable in and of itself, but we can go a few steps further
by seeing the image large and vibrant and colorful in our minds. You don't
have to close your eyes to do this, but for a lot of people it helps.
And I'm serious: Really concentrate on making that image as filled with
color and energy as you can. A lot of people give up on mnemonics and
it's usually because they skip this step.
Miraculous boosts in your fluency await you if you will just take the time
to exaggerate the images you create.
And not just the images.
The actions too.
That means that the Q your are pouring is steaming hot and burning the
porcupine bursting with pine trees.
Yes, it's not all that pleasant, but like an auto accident on the freeway, you
feel compelled to look and the image will be difficult to forget, if not
impossible.
Later, when you want that word to return to you, you're probably going to
think of the image first and then you'll simply decode it.
However, the reason we use a Memory Palace is because we increase our

chances of recalling words when we've placed them somewhere.
We also overcome the underlying, subconscious fear of losing things. We

fear losing money, losing our keys ... losing our minds.
Worse, so many of us are convinced that we have poor memories.

This is false, of course, but combined with our inborn fear of losing
things, this negative belief influences our ability to easily recall important
information we want to learn and memorize such as foreign language
vocabulary.
I've worked very hard to teach thousands of people the Magnetic Memory
Method and now you know the basics too. For many of you, that will be
more than enough to get started. But if you're interested in learning more,
go here:
Until next time, close your eyes and then teach someone else what you've
Mommas Don't Let Your Kanji Grow Up To Be Memorization
Cowboys
Dear Memorizers,
Here is a fantastic follow up on a question about memorizing Kanji that

came up in my video course .
Although you might not be memorizing vocabulary this complex, I

encourage you to read this through because I share a pretty interesting
metaphor that will help you in your efforts using Memory Palaces to
memorize foreign language vocabulary.
Thomas writes:
----------
Hello,
Just wanted to chime in on the Kanji. I'm still experimenting with it, but
the best way is to memorize the radicals and components in the method
that Harry Lorayne suggests in The Memory book by writing a small story
to explain the squiggles. Then once those have been memorized, which
shouldn't take too long, there's only 214 of them. You take those radicals
and create a story to related the elements, meaning and give it a color and
or emotion for the tone.
The stroke order just gets memorized by the radical and then the order in
which the radical is written in the character. Occasionally there´ll be a
deviation, but those seem to be relatively few and far between. And are
mostly predictable.
So 龍 Becomes the way to lure a dragon a long way away is to position

meat in the distance. It is composed of effectively 3 pieces, one meaning
meat, one meaning position and one that just looks like a dragon.
If that character didn´t show, just google for long2 and you should get it.
Feel free to share that. I´m working on a book, but this part of my method
is more or less common knowledge at this point and I can´t claim that I
invented it either. Chinesy isn´t bad, but it tends to fail miserably when
you move beyond pictographs and have to deal with more complex
characters. The method I shared tends to work for most characters
without too much trouble, although it can fail when the characters get
towards the 18 stroke mark.
----------
Hi Thomas,
Thank you very much for this!
I think your variation on Harry Lorayne's method is solid and 214 is a

very doable number.
Are you incorporating a location-based strategy with this procedure? For

example, do you simply "follow" a story in a conceptual, or do you follow
the story as you are moving through a Memory Palace?
It is central to the Magnetic Memory Method that we use Memory Palaces

for a number of reasons. It's easy to do and the small amount of time
invested creates very specific results by increasing the chances of recall
(we know where to look as well as what to look for). In addition, Memory
Palace journeys are exceptionally good for storing stories, both if you
want to memorize a literal story, or use a story to recall abstract
information such as squiggles.
I find that Chineasy is also limited when it comes to the more complex
characters, but strongly suggest that it is much, much more effective when
combined with a location-based strategy such as the one taught in the
Magnetic Memory Method.
One way to think about the Memory Palace journey method is in terms of
writing. What we are doing is "writing on the walls" using highly personal
imagery that only we are able to effectively decode. This is another of
Chineasy's weaknesses, as well as Dr. Moku's Hiragana app for iPhone
and the like.
It's great that these people give representative examples of images that one
can create, but ultimately we all need to come up with our own imagery
based upon our own creativity. In other words, to most effectively
illustrate the walls of your Memory Palace, you need to mix and apply
your own paint and create your own portraits. A lot of people will never
go through these relatively simple steps, and I'm afraid that one reason is
that they expect to be shown the associative imagery rather than develop it
for themselves. Thus, as much as I applaud Chineasy, I suspect the
ultimate result will be a poor balance between frustration and success.
You, on the other hand, have it right. Although your description of the
associative imagery you've used for 龍 makes sense to me, I will still need
to come up with my own. The first thing that comes to my mind is
Oedipus with his broken ankle wearing a hat as he pounds the ground with
a dragon shaped staff. To get the sound, which is kind of like "dew" (at
least in Japanese), I can see the dragon sweating "dew" as Oedipus pounds
along the specific part of the Memory Palace journey I would stick him.
This could be part of a story, but in some sense, the Memory Palace
journey is always already a story, so except when I memorizing poetry or
storing the details of a story, I let the pattern of "this comes next" serve as
the narrative.
I really look forward to your book. Of course, none of us can claim to

have invented any part of mnemonics. However, we can come up with
new variations, completely new approaches and new methods of
explaining how and why all of this works to an ever-expanding field of
people eager to more effectively and quickly improve the recall of foreign
language vocabulary. I wish you godspeed.
Until next time, use your Oedipus (or Electra) complex for good and teach
X Marks the Magnetic Memory Spot
Dear Memorizers,
This question is worth paying attention to:
----------
Hi Anthony,
I'm in the early stages of figuring out how to make this system work for my
learning French, and I wondered if you had any tips about coming up
with places to fill all the A through Z slots. I've got about 12 letters
worked out, with 10 stations, each, but I am completely baffled with many
of the letters! Q? X? Y? I started thinking that maybe there aren't that
many "X" words I'll need to know in French, so I may not need that place
figured out. I haven't yet finished reading your book (about French
vocabulary), as I'm still working out the Memory Palaces. I'm trying not
to be too arbitrary with assigning names to places, as I'm sure that'll
cause some problems down the road when I try to recall what the name of
the place is in the first place. I hope this all makes sense!
Also, I noted in the book that you grouped words into each Memory
Palace, depending upon the letter they start with (is that correct? I don't
have your book with me at the moment). In class, we are learning words
by theme (i.e., university-related words, the family, etc.). Maybe you
address this later in your book: Would it make sense to have a Memory
Palace by theme, rather than by the letter than begins each word?
As I said, I'm just getting started with this, so maybe I'm jumping the gun
here by asking these questions. I'm just trying to get past this very first
stage of creating a palace for each letter so I can start putting this system
into play.
Thanks for sending along all this great info!

----------
Thanks for this great question!
The short answer to whether or not I have tips for assigning each letter of
the alphabet to a unique Memory Palace is to be found in the previous
volumes of the Magnetic Memory Newsletter. Of course, the ideas are
scattered throughout, so let me rehearse some of them here with specific
reference to your questions. I always appreciate the opportunity to do so
and thank you very much for sending these questions even if it does mean
jumping the Magnetic gun.
First, I would advocate having palaces for Q, Y and Z. With very few
exceptions, these words will be cognate with English, and yet if it is
fluency you are going for, you'll want to have gone through the process of
storing them. After all, how else might you know that there are French-
English cognates for "zigzag" and "zircon"?
On that note, cognates are also a great entry point into the Magnetic
Memory Method. Some people find the leap into using associative
imagery with foreign language vocabulary a bit much, but really benefit
by easing into the technique by starting with a set of English words. Once
they see how easily this can be achieved, it's little more than a flip of the
Magnet to get going on words that are unusual, abstract and never
encountered before. Anyhow, before I became a hard-to-hire impossible
to hire memory coach, I saw people manage 100 English terms in under
half an hour based on correctly constructed Memory Palaces before
proceeding with their dream foreign language to great success.
Back to X, Y, Z and Q. I'll bet you can think of very short journeys that
you could associate with these. It might be the walk from a college
building to the car park, or simply a small building on campus. Perhaps
one of these buildings is being wrapped by a python Q, or Wolverine from
the X-Men series is slicing another building into an "X" with his claws.
This is a way to "arbitrarily" assign letters to buildings using powerful
imagery. It takes only a second to do and works for art galleries, movie
rental outlets and restaurants. It works for anywhere you may have been in
your life.
Another great strategy for collecting new Memory Palaces is to go to new

places. I've yet to go to the opera in Berlin, for example, but you can be
certain that I'll be packing my Memory Palace goggles when I do. There's
nothing like visiting new places when you're using the Magnetic Memory
Method because they instantly become fodder for new Memory Palaces.
It's also an excuse to get yourself invited to dinner all over town, or
indeed, invite others.
Keep in mind that for some letters you may need more than one Memory
Palace. A1, A2, A3, etc. is not uncommon amongst Magnetic Memory
Method users. It's possible that you can use "virtual" Memory Palaces,
and again, the back issues of my newsletter have lots of examples of
these. They range from purely invented locations (not really
recommended) to using the layouts of homes from TV shows like The
Simpsons and video games, especially platform videogames like Donkey
Kong or Pacman where you can see the entire "world" of the game on a
single screen. It's kind of like having a bird's eye view onto the floorplan
of a building without a roof.
There are endless possibilities, but the facts are that, except for highly
conceptual people, virtual Memory Palaces don't work so great. There's
something very essential to having at least a small amount of familiarity
with the location, typically through having visited it. There was a great
message I received from someone about a month ago who said that she
likes to run her hands against the walls of the Memory Palaces she is
using because this makes them so much more Magnetic. Obviously, we
can't do that with the Louvre to supercharge things (at least not without
getting into trouble), but I tried it out for myself at home and I have to say
that the technique is pretty darn effective in terms of making the space
more mentally vivid.
As for making Memory Palaces based around themes, naturally, this is
doable and many people have great success with this.
The only problem with it, for myself and others, is that it's more difficult
to use the principles of word division and bridging characters and recall
can be less automatic because you need to search for a "theme" Palace
instead of thinking alphabetically. You see, even if you can't remember
which letter a word begins with, you're very likely to remember the
associative imagery/story and where it is located. That will then tell you
the first letter of the word. It's something one has to experience in order to
understand just how Magnetic this is, but I can say with certainty that a
Memory Palace network of themes will likely not do as much for fluency
as an alphabetical one over the long haul.
That said, there's nothing to stop people from having both theme-related
Memory palaces and an alphabetical system. I myself started a Memory
Palace for Thomas Mann's Doktor Faustus just last night. It's a challenge
for me because he has a very sophisticated vocabulary and
metaphoric/symbolic style. I haven't built the entire Memory Palace and
am not sure exactly how it's going to work, but it will probably be on a
word to word basis. I think it's probably going to be less effective than if I
were to just slot the words into my network of German Memory Palaces,
but it's worth an experiment to see how a single Memory Palace could be
used to absorb a great deal of the vocabulary from a single book.
I hope the foregoing begins an answer to your questions. I'm very sorry
that I haven't yet got the back issues of the Magnetic Memory Newsletter
prepared for print (yet), but there is always the Kindle versions found on
my Amazon author page and each investment supports the Magnetic
Memory family and my work in educating people about using Memory
Palaces to learn and memorize foreign language vocabulary.
The German Boxer Who Memorized With His Skirt On Fire
Dear Memorizers,
As you know, your emails make my job even more Magnetic than it
already is. You have no idea how deeply I appreciate the questions and
general contact.
Here's a cool question about memorizing articles. Sure, it's about German
articles, but have a quick read anyway. You'll quickly see how you can
apply this idea to other areas of your language learning.
----------
Hi Anthony,
I enjoying really all your readings, videos, links, and your motivating
words.
I want to ask you about two things:
I have read a lot of things and audios, ok. But which is the link to your
book? I mean, i guess there is a book with all the details and examples
that after you are commenting and speaking about.
I got your udemy course and I am not sure wether I have this book
included or not. So please is not my intention to take extra profit of your
job. Just tell me, right?
And the other question is in reference to: der die das. So you know,
learning german words is really absurd without the article. What do you
use for that? I think maybe a color in the picture, or an insect (a fly for
die, moschito for der...). Any suggestion?
Thank you!
----------
Thank you very kindly for your positive message. It's always very nice
when someone lets me know that they are getting value from the work I
am putting out there.
I have a book specifically about learning German here:
http://www.amazon.com/Vocabulary-Specifically-adaptable-languages-
ebook/dp/B0092HDTZA
It's difficult to include all my different books on different languages in the

course itself, but eventually I will make a book version of the video
course that covers all languages.
Basically, you have everything you need in the video course, but if you
want to get the German book, there are some little bonuses in it that aren't
in the course.
I also talk about memorizing the articles in German.
But first, your idea about using color is something I've heard from another
video before and they found that it works great. Personally, I find this a
bit abstract.
I myself use a boxer for masculine, a skirt for feminine and fire for neuter.
I find these images very helpful because they can be instantly

incorporated into all of the associative imagery I create. No matter what,
if it's a masculine noun, there's either going to be a boxer or boxing gloves
involved in the image. One would think that this gets repetitive over the
larger course of vocabulary memorization, but in fact it doesn't. These
"bridging figures" become very familiar. They are almost like TV
commercials. You've seen them a thousand times before and you know
exactly what they're trying to sell. This is exactly what we want when
using a memorization strategy to learn and memorize foreign language
vocabulary.
The important thing is to be consistent. So if you use a three-tiered color

schemata (black, red and gold goes good with German, or so I'm told),
simply make sure to be consistent.
Anyhow, since you've got the video course, you don't really need the book
just for this tiny strategy, but I'll certainly appreciate your support because
it helps me grow the Magnetic Memory Method and help more and more
people make advancements with their language learning.
Finally, just in case you aren't aware, there are 6 PDFs of previous
Magnetic Memory Newsletter volumes in lecture 35. There are dozens of
ideas in these pages that will help you deepen your understanding of the
Magnetic Memory Method and the power of your mind overall. I think of
what I do in the newsletter as a kind of "coach in book."
On that note, please let me know if you have any further questions. I'll
respond as soon as I can.
And if you're reading this and for some reason you're not already part of
the Magnetic Memory Family, there's some really easy concepts like
"bridging figures" and "word division" that will make your mind
Magnetic as you learn a new language. (If you like action-packed, value-
jammed and interactive video courses, that is ...)
Go here for info:
I Sold My Soul To Memorize Foreign Language Vocabulary
23 September 2013Berlin, Germany14˚ and sketching (or is that sketchy)

...
Dear Memorizers,
The Fall leaves cluttered the street beneath our feet as my girlfriend and I
wandered to the Sunday Market at the "Boxi." When we arrived at the
square, we found it packed with people fondling handmade jewelry,
testing the quality of fabric and peering into boxes of used books.
We were both draw to these. Magnetically, you might say.
And that's when I finally found it.
I've had the audiobook for years and have listened to large portions of it.
But I've always wanted the book in print, something to hold in my hands
and read along with as I listen to (name if reader)'s excellent performance
of Thomas Mann's classic novel, Doktor Faustus.
You know the one. It's based on the old yarn about the guy who sells his
soul in order to achieve greatness.
I also grabbed a sci-fi book by J. G. Ballard in German translation. But I

can understand it well without running to the dictionary except on rare
pages when I might want to make sure I've understood a metaphor.
But Thomas Mann is a challenge. Not only is his vocabulary immense,

but his sentences lope like a tightly controlled firehose through cascading
paragraphs of sophisticated prose.
I took him home.
Now I'm sitting in a pub, taking a break from building the largest Memory
Palace I've ever attempted. My girlfriend is chatting with her friends and
the most brilliant music is oozing from the speakers. My wine is
exceedingly red and the squat glass of water beside bounces as the young
woman jiggle the table with every burst of laughter.
When I design my Memory Palaces, I go for the large strokes first. I'm
starting in the house of a friend whose name starts with ... Can you guess?
A big, fat Magnetic D (of course).
Page One of Doktor Faustus has a home.
But I'm going to need more than just this house.
I've read a couple of pages and determined that I will need between five
and ten stations per page. In a 500 page book, this could amount to
anywhere between 2,500-5,000 stations.
This project won't require that many, of course because I expect that by
the time I have memorized the unknown words in half the book, I will
likely need only two or three stations per page thereafter.
So how is this Memory Palace going to work?
Pretty simply, actually.
Starting in Don's house, I have quickly gathered together 50 stations, all

without crossing my own path. Because the house does not allow me to
use the basement, I've lost 50 more, but I place a premium on clear
journeys, so I can use that basement some other time and for some other
purpose.
Next, I move outside. There were always three vehicles parked outside,
each of which yields me 13 stations. The doghouse surrenders another
five stations, and then there is my friend's grandmother's house.
I don't really know the inside of this house, so I identify a few stations in
the yard. I can't go to Canada to visit right now and refresh my memory of
this house, but I may ask my friend to take a few pictures or describe the
layout. Failing that, I may insert some virtual elements inside the house,
which would involve mentally "gutting" it and installing a series of
bookcases as if it were a library.
From here I use the entrance to the property, the small bridge beyond that,
certain parts of the highway, another bridge, a turkey farm and the
intersection of the road I lived on.
At this point I've got enough stations to cover 10 pages of the book. Not
bad for about 10 minutes of work. Of course, I'm going to go back and
solidify everything and decide whether or not I will bore into grandma's
house with virtual Memory Palace elements or not.
I have both drawn my journey through this Memory Palace (so far) and
also created a top-down list.
I know that some people reading this will think this time could have been
better spent on rote learning.
That's fine.
But for me, this little bit of time means that I will be able to quickly create
associative imagery that will live and breathe in mental locations for as
long as I want, always surrendering the meaning and sound of those
words whenever I want them.
The best part is that I can use the delightful prose of Thomas Mann to test
my results. And the more Mann (in German) I read using this approach,
the more Mann I can read. And I'll be learning a Magnetic tonne about the
poetic dimensions of Mann's grammar as I go along.
If you're not already using a Memory Palace system to learn and

memorize the vocabulary of your dream foreign language, I'd like to
invite you to learn more about the Magnetic Memory Method.
Here's where to go:
Until Friday, October 25th at midnight, PDT, use coupon code

"savemymagneticsoul" for a special discount on your investment in the
Magnetic Memory Method. Yes, the iron-clad, no-hassle, Magnetic
Decision Guarantee applies on this coupon, so all the risk is all on me
when you decide to give my course a spin.
Until next time, save your inner Faustus and then teach someone else what
learn.
Miss Saigon Never Memorizes Vocabulary Wrong
Dear Memorizers,
After watching my Brazil presentation with Joshua Smith, a reader got in

touch with a cool question that relates to something I was just going over
the other day.
But this time it has to do with memorizing tonalities.

----------
How would you apply your method with a language that relies on
tonalities like Vietnamese? Would you imagine upward, downward, wave
movements for example (á, à, ã) ?
Best regards & greetings from Saigon Vietnam.
----------
It's great to hear from Saigon!
For things like tonalities, I suggest setting a rule in each and every
Memory Palace, one that is consistently used.
Your idea of using waves is great, so long as they are bright, large,
colorful and filled with exaggerated movement. Some people use color
coding in addition to a visual element like a wave for help with tonalities,
but for others it may be too abstract.
As regular readers of the Magnetic Memory Newsletters know, I don't

pretend to have a magic bullet to solve all these problems. But I do have
the ideas that will help you move forward if you're willing to get into your
personal Magnetic laboratory and experiment based on the principles I
have provided in my books and video course. I receive stories of triumph
every day, sometimes monumental, sometimes glacial, but people always
results based upon the effort and experimentation of the Memorizer in
question.
Another thing you could do if a "wave" is itself too abstract, is have the
three different waves painted on three different bullhorns. Then, when you
are using the "bridging figure" and "word division" techniques I teach in
my Magnetic Memory materials, you can have the bridging figures
holding the appropriate bullhorns and even create Magnetic Memory
Synesthesia by hearing the sound coming through the bullhorn as well as
seeing the concrete associative-image you've created.
This procedure for memorizing tonalities strongly relates to memorizing

articles, such as using a boxer or boxing gloves for masculine nouns, a
skirt for feminine nouns and, if the language has them, fire for neuter
nouns.
I'm not trying to sell you on something, but the promo video for my new
course has some more review of the basics of the method, so if you
enjoyed the Brazil presentation, you might want to watch it sometime. It's
20 minutes, it's free, and I tried to make the salesy part fun, interesting
and yes ... Magnetic.
Here's the link:
Send Me The Magnetic Memory Link (Bitte)
Dear Memorizers,
I always feel blessed when I receive messages like the following. I wanted
to share my answer with you because it includes some valuable advice
and resources that you can apply to your foreign language vocabulary
memorization efforts right now.
----------
SEND ME THE LINK to Joshua's Presentation Please.
From a new old learner of German. AT JUST 80. I've been teaching
myself for 5 years. A question: what do I do with all the German words I
already have free floating around in my head at the moment.
I can translate German quite well with the aid of an extract electronic
dictionary. But I do have the difficulty pertaining many larger words
when I need to write them. Which is daily.
I feel that the daily work I do on this second language has given me real
lease of life because I am fascinated and my persistence is always there.
Also I used to teach relaxation techniques in complimentary medicine
with hypnosis. I also found out that I have German ancestors.
----------
I'm pleased to send you this link of the presentation I gave. As you know,
it was hosted by Joshua Smith, someone who also writes about achieving
fluency (and using your fluency to create an amazing barbecue). You can
check out his Amazon page here before sauntering over to YouTube for
an intense examination of for foreign language vocabulary memorization
using the Magnetic Memory Method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN-pSmoFtuc
By the way, congratulations on your 5 years of working with German. I

assume that you already have a substantial vocabulary ... or do you
struggle to recall these words that you have floating so freely in your
mind? You've talked about writing German words on a daily basis. Are
you composing in prose or writing out vocabulary lists from memory?
Until I hear back from you, here are some suggestions.
The first is that you still store words you already know in your Memory
Palace network. A fun way to do this is to scan through a German
dictionary in German and, whenever you land on a word you know, pop it
into a Memory Palace. If you're working on one letter at a time, this will
be easy to do and you can follow the principle of word division and use
bridging figures/characters.
This will have the added advantage of bringing you greater familiarity
with words you don't know yet because reading a dictionary in the
language you are studying causes you to see the words as they are defined
in the language itself, rather than as by English speakers.
Next, I would suggest that you give yourself some translation exercises. I
talk about some strategies on how to do this here:
http://www.magneticmemorymethod.com/the-vocabulary-translation-
queen-elizabeth-memorization-connection/
The exercise isn't nearly as elaborate as it might seem and will give you
tremendous boosts in fluency.
Finally, it's exciting to learn that you are familiar with relaxation and
hypnosis. Once upon a time I took certification in hypnotherapy myself
(for my dissertation research) and that is part of how and why I landed on
using the technique before engaging in foreign language memorization
using Memory Palaces. As you know, relaxation is a fundamental means
of opening the unconscious mind so that it is much more receptive to
receiving information, storing it and putting it to good use.
It's also cool to learn that you found German ancestry in your heritage.
That must be inspiring! How far back have you been able to go? Are you
complimenting your German language studies by reading about the
regions they lived in and some of the historical situations they
experienced? Doing so is a roundabout way of gaining even more fluency.
Before I hop in my Magnetic jet and take off for the day, I just want to say
that if you aren't familiar with the terms I've used in this message or
haven't read one of my book's yet, here's where you can get started:
Until next time, translate like the Queen and then teach someone else what
learn.
An Incredible Book On Memorizing Kanji
Dear Memorizers,
A few weeks back in my video course about memorizing foreign language

vocabulary using a Memory Palace, we were talking about memorizing
Kanji. Here is an interesting response that came out of the discussion:
----------
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for the helpful reply and link.
Just want to add to Thomas's reply re-Kanji and Lorayne's method.
James Hesig's "Remembering The Kanji" series, espouses a similar

method of making image stories re-stroke order and I have found it to be
extremely effective and close to what I have learned many years ago, in
both Lorayne's material and the Mega Memory courses.
What I found particularly useful in the Magnetic Method course, are the
multitude of ways to construct memory palaces, virtual palaces and also,
the plethora of "association" tips that are given.
Although it may seem obvious to me now, I was getting a little stuck on

overlapping and a way to create a large number of palaces that were not
confusing (to me), as well as finding a way to easily follow along
sequentially.
Having said that and as Anthony mentions several times, I agree that
keeping an open mind, playing with existing/new methods and finding
what resonates with the user, is one of the keys to successful
implementation.
----------
Thanks for mentioning James Hesig's book! It looks really interesting.

I'm glad you're finding the Magnetic Memory Method effective. In
addition to your point about keeping an open mind and play, I want to add
that relaxation is also a very key strategy here. All too often people sit
down to memorize foreign language vocabulary without taking a moment
to effectively soften the mind.
As hypnotists know (weren't we just talking about this yesterday?),

relaxation makes both the conscious and the unconscious more receptive
to suggestion. That doesn't mean we accept everything, and in fact people
tend never to adopt attitudes or ideas they don't genuinely desire.
Nonetheless, most people do want to be able to memorize foreign

language vocabulary and practicing in a relaxed state, especially when
using Memory Palaces, will make the mind not only more receptive, but
more imaginative.
If you haven't read about exactly how to use relaxation in your vocabulary
memorization efforts or you're not in my video course, check out:
It's relaxed inside and the vocabulary is to die for.
Until next time, take a Magnetic chill pill and then teach someone else
we can learn.
Right-Brained Memorizers In A Left-Brained World
Dear Memorizers,
The notion of using locations is often a point of discussion when it comes

to the Magnetic Memory Method. Here are some ideas from one of you
that absolutely blew me away.
Read on because you'll learn about:
* Using a musical composition as a Memory Palace.
* A method of using colors to memorize numbers.
* Why the Magnetic Memory Method creates "cross-hemisphere" activity

in your brain.
----------
Greetings Anthony,
I'm likely to do a tiered approach because some characters are very

complex and you need to remember where the components go. Some of
which get split at times. But, most of the time, that would be overkill and
result in a lot of wasted time. Most of the time, just remembering which
components are present, the name and meaning will be sufficient. Or to
recall the missing information.
As far as the location goes, the challenge with this sort of memorization is
that you're trying to remember a sight, a sound and a meaning. I think one
of the reasons why memory palaces work so well for vocabulary is that
you're storing the sound and the meaning in visual memory, rather than
auditory memory which tends to lead to more cross hemisphere activity.
I'm contemplating the practicality of using other things in a similar way to

memory palaces. I suspect that for some people that are really into opera,
that Wagner's Ring Cycle could be it's own acoustical memory palace. I
can often times recall with great detail the music that I listen to. That is
with sufficient detail that I no longer bother carrying an MP3 player with
me as I can play the music in my head. Or perhaps for short lists of things
a 3 course meal. With a taste, a sight and a smell for each dish.
I'm going to be experimenting with it in the future, but I think that storing
visual memories as sounds and sounds as visual memories is likely to lead
to a much firmer memory than trying to store things in the obvious place.
Or better incorporate both. I also suspect that the more senses you involve
and the more memories you can connect it to the stronger the memory will
be. Or at least the greater the chance that you'll stumble upon the memory
if you've forgotten where it's located.
I haven't gotten a chance to try that yet, but it seems like something to try
if ones memory palace already passes through an opera house or
restaurant.
Oh yeah, and I'd like to tip you off to kind of an interesting trick to
memorizing abstract images. I got this out of Right-Brained Children in a
Left-Brained World: Unlocking the Potential of Your ADD Child.
Basically you take a number, and write it out 4 or 5 digits at a time in
different colors. Each number is oddly misshaped, but still resembling the
number that it represents. You then stare at it until you get that chunk to
be visible in your mind's eye. Usually it takes less than a minute.
For those with a more visual mode of memorization, they should then be
able to recite the number both forwards and backwards as if reading it off
a paper. I know that's how I memorized the mathematical constants pi and
e out to 11 decimal places in under 5 minutes each. Which isn't bad for
somebody who was just starting out with it.
----------
Forgive me if I go slim on my response, dear Memorizers, but what more
can I add to this wonderful brilliance that isn't already in my books or my
video course? Thanks to readers like you, the Magnetic Memory Family
just gets better and better all the time.
Until next time, enjoy some Wagner and then teach someone else what
learn.
Rudolph the Magnetic Memory-nosed Reindeer
Dear Memorizers,
Here's a great question from a participant in my video course:
----------
Thank you for your course - I created some routes already and placed a
couple of English words into it.
Could you please have a quick look at the action related to the word
"recur"?
On my windowsill:
Re-cur=I feed a Reh (German for deer) with a super spicy curry and the
deer starts to breath fire and burns its fur. But instead of learning from
that experience, it starts eating again and again,... Would you consider
that action as being strong enough for the meaning of recur?
----------
I think this image of a Reh repeatedly experiencing such consequences is

a good one and although I know this word, the image is memorable to the
point that when I make it large and vibrant and colorful in my mind, I
remember what you used to memorize it. It's not very often that we can
use the associative imagery that other people use, so kudos on creating an
image that probably anyone can use.
The only suggestion I would offer is that as soon as possible you use
English words to trigger English words. Instead of Reh, for example, you
could use a Reindeer. This is not essential, but since you already have
very good English, it will help you compound the English/mnemonic
immersion, so to speak.
But the most important thing is that the image works for you, which will
be best aided by making sure that you spend just a few seconds of time to
make it large, colorful, vibrant and filled with action.
Another point you might think about is that your image is congruous. This
means that it makes sense. It's perfectly logical in our experience that
people repeatedly eat things that give them a terrible experience, such as
indigestion. However, often in memory work using associative imagery, it
is more effective to use incongruous imagery.
For example, if you have an image of the Statue of Liberty dropping her
torch after being kicked by Godzilla, that's congruous (it makes sense that
she would drop her torch because the statue is actually holding one).
However, this image will be even more wild and zany and memorable if
after being kicked by Godzilla she drops her machine gun. This is
incongruous because it doesn't exactly match reality. You can also then
have a much more absurd action to exaggerate with color and motion,
such as Liberty's retaliation with said machine gun.
I'm not entirely sure how you could incorporate the principle of
incongruity into this particular image, but it's a good technique to think
about using in the future.
I hope these few points help. Let me know if you have any further
questions.
Until next time, blow of old Rudolph's nose and then teach someone else
we can learn.
How To Outfox Your Memorization Lions
Dear Memorizers,
Aesop spun a good yarn once upon a time that goes a little something like
this:
There was a scared little fox who saw a lion and ran away. He ran past
trees, scrabbled over rocks and kicked up a whole mess of dust and leaves.
The next time the fox saw the lion, his heart started pounding, but his
body didn't run. It only backed up and watched the lion from a distance.
The third time the fox encountered the lion, his heart didn't pound at all.
Curious about this new experience, the fox walked into the lion's line of
sight.
When it seemed like the lion didn't have a sweet tooth for foxes, the fox
trotted on up to the lion and said, "What's up there, Lion?"
"Not much," the lion replied. "How about them Bluejays?"
Startled that the lion and he shared the same favorite baseball team, the
fox chatted with him about sports before falling into a long conversation
about booze, the Magnetic Memory Method and fine cigars.
Then the fox stood up, said "cheerio" and headed back to his abode in the
forest ...
For interpreters of Aesop, the moral of the story is that when people get
too familiar with a situation or another person, they can get careless, too
relaxed and take their safety for granted.
This is pretty much what happens with foreign language learners.
We encounter the big bad dual language dictionary and give up after a few
moments using the Magnetic Memory Method. But what we're actually
doing is running away from the method. We know that it works, but it's
awesome power is actually kind of terrifying, because most of us have an
unconscious (if not conscious) fear of being successful and achieving our
goals. Strange but true.
The next time, we look at the dictionary. We haven't forgotten about our
darling method, but we approach the dictionary with a stack of index
cards for safety. Maybe we fill out even a few of them.
The time after that, we're in full rote learning mode. The new method has
scared us away completely and we're back in familiar territory, doing
what we've always done.
But this breeds contempt, dear Memorizers, which is to say that we're not
only going to get the same limited results as before, but also the same
frustrations, disappointment and failure to achieve.
Just as some of us unconsciously fear success, some of us unconsciously

desire failure. But that's a story for another day.
The moral of my dictionary fable is that we need to dive into new territory
and stay there.
And understand just this one thing: unlike rote learning, the Magnetic
Memory Method is never familiar territory. You will never get bored with
it, never tire of the variation it brings and always find increasing levels of
success the more you practice.
Will you hit plateaus and points of saturation as some experts on memory
skills proclaim?
Perhaps.
But there's a fix for that.
A topic for another day.
The point is to never get abandon the Magnetic Memory Method out of
fear and go back to rote learning, which is the lion you've gotten careless
about. The Magnetic Memory Method is all about kicking the lion in the
teeth and benefiting from the imaginative scuffle.
Every time you practice.
What does that mean?
It means:
1. preparing a carefully planned and predetermined network of Memory
Palaces based around the alphabet.
2. It means using associative imagery to store vocabulary words in those

Memory Palaces.
3. It means using a dedicated rehearsal system to practice recall (without

falling back onto rote learning).
4. It means helping others do the same.
If you're not already a complete member of the Magnetic Memory family,

let me sweeten the one-time investment on the most comprehensive
foreign language memorization strategy known to humankind.
Use coupon code "aesop" or simply click the following link to have the
coupon automatically applied:
https://www.udemy.com/language-learning-online-magnetic-
memory/?couponCode=aesop
As always, my Magnetic Right Decision guarantee is yours for the taking.
Until next time, disturb the lion in your Memory Palace and then teach
Memorize Me Baby One More Time
Dear Memorizers,
It's not something I talk about a whole lot, but unfortunately I've
developed some pretty bad arthritis over the past year. I stood up from my
desk one day and my joints literally screamed at me.
This condition has caused me to walk, eat, think, write and do all kinds of
things in different ways.
Including how I memorize.
It's also got me very interested in Kaizen, which is also sometimes called
"micro-action."
Micro-actions are just small little things that you can do, one thing at a
time.
But added up, these small micro-actions amount to having gotten a whole
lot of things done. This could be on a single project, or over your entire
life comprehensively.
You can use micro-actions to memorize foreign language vocabulary

using the kind of Memory Palace network I teach in the Magnetic
Memory Method.
In fact, it's the reason why I created the Magnetic Memory Worksheets for
you in the first place.
Yes, I know that creating 26 Memory Palaces all at once can seem like a
huge activity to do.
It really isn't if you work in a relaxed state (which you should if you truly
want your mind to be Magnetic).
However, relaxed or not, if you want to or need to work step-by-step, then

it's an easy matter to whip out the worksheets and start filling them out,
one Memory Palace at a time.
Not trying to get all cutsey patootsey on you, but that's how things get
done. Nobody ties their shoelaces until they've placed it on their foot first
(well, almost no one), and there's little to be gained from putting your car
in gear before you've started it.
As it happens, I've gone through the micro-steps in detail in my books, so

if you're reading this, then chances are you're already up to Magnetic
snuff. You've already got the Magnetic Memory Worksheets and with any
luck, you've already filled them out.
But if for some reason you've stumbled onto this list and want even more
in-depth training on a Kaizen, micro-action, step-by-step level, here's
what you can do right now.
* Learn my simple three-step formula for building Memory Palaces that

work. It's simple, really: the location helps you find the word, the
associative imagery helps you remember the sound and the action tells
you the meaning.
* Learn the basics of mnemonics. Also simple: make your images large,
vibrant, zany, colorful and filled with absurd actions.
* Learn the principles of word division, bridging figures and

congruity/incongruity. This will take you about ten minutes to grasp and
about 10 more to practice before you've mastered all of these principles.
* Fill out the Worksheets.
* Schedule your initial Memory sessions and when you're going to

rehearse the words you've placed in your Magnetic Memory Palace
system.
* Use the words when reading, writing, watching films and engaging in
conversation.
All of these are micro-actions and are a lot easier if you implement them
one Magnet at a time.
I've got to go for today, but as you know, I'll be back tomorrow. If in the
meantime you want to hear from me further, I'm canned and cloned in my
video course. It's updated weekly with new content, the kind of Magnetic
stuff that has been used by thousands of language learners. And yes, most
of them, like me, used to think they had a bad memory. But they've made
significant strides in acquiring the languages of their dreams using the
simple step-by-step methods I teach, practice and preach in equal
installments each and every day of my life.
Go here now for more details and sign-on today:
Halloween Was Never Memorized So Magnetically
Dear Memorizers,
I remember the first movies I saw at home. They were Star Trek II and
The Dark Crystal.
We watched them on Halloween night when I was 8 years old because it

was too cold outside to trick-or-treat (a.k.a. magnetically hassle the
neighborhood).
Anyhow, it was the best Halloween ever.
Why?
Because these two movies scared the bananas out of my cornflakes for the
next three weeks!
I mean, watching Spock die ... that was intense.
Anyhow, I just wanted to share that personal memory with you ...
... and also let you know that the other day a new book I've written was
released that connects more with Halloween than memory, but I wanted to
tell you about it anyway because I would never have finished my PhD in
Film Studies if memorization techniques hadn't changed my life.
That and the fact that my young mind took one of the greatest Science
Fiction movies of all time to be a
Horror movie inspired me to write this book:
Horror Genre Secrets For Screenwriters: Your Next Scary Movie Made
Scarier
And how's this for living a Magnetic life:
When I posted the book for voice talent to make the audiobook version,
no one other than John Eastman sent in an addition. His mother, Marilyn
Eastman, played Helen in the original, black and white Night of the Living
Dead.
Anyhow, before I go, it's a tricky drill, but a great one to try:
The next time you're at the movies, read your copy of How to Memorize
Names & Faces and then see how many of the names in the final credits
you can pop into your Names and Faces Memory Palace. You'll have to
wait until the movie you see comes out on DVD to test it, but you can also
do this speed-memory exercise on the couch at home if it's too cold
outside to trick-or-treat.
Until next time, get spooky and then teach someone else what you've
Further Resources For Memory & Memorization Techniques
I’ve mentioned Harry Lorayne several times in this book, so let’s start
with him. The Memory Book: The Classic Guide to Improving Your
Memory at Work, at School and at Play is a wonderful resource. Get it
here:
http://memorizegermanvocabulary.com/harrylorayne
Lorayne’s website is also well worth visiting:
http://www.harrylorayne.com/
If you’d like to hear a nearly 2 hour long interview with the man himself,
check out You’re Only an “Aha!” Moment from Greatness on this
website:
http://www.hardtofindseminars.com/Harry_Lorayne_Interview.htm
You’ll also want to read Tony Buzan. I recommend Use Your Perfect
Memory.
http://memorizegermanvocabulary.com/tonybuzan
A recent memory book that has gotten everyone talking is Joshua Foer’s
Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering
Everything has an appearance by Tony Buzan that is a delight to read. His
success with memorization skills is absolutely stunning. Here’s the link:
http://memorizegermanvocabulary.com/moonwalking
Perhaps my favorite audio program is Dominic O’Brien’s Quantum
Memory Power: Learn to Improve Your Memory. He reads the book
himself, making it a wonderful experience. His passion for memorization
techniques really shines through.
http://memorizegermanvocabulary.com/quantummemorypower
You’ve probably seen Kevin Trudeau hawking his products on late night
television infomercials. Don’t groan, however. His Mega Memory is one
of the best memory products I’ve ever encountered. He talks a lot, but in
Mega Memory, everything he promises is right there, ready to be learned.
http://memorizegermanvocabulary.com/megamemory
From the world of magicians and mentalists, I recommend Richard
Osterlind’s Easy to Master Mental Miracles.
http://www.mymagic.com/dvd/dvd-osterlind.htm
This book includes tons of other ideas as well that will have you amazing
your friends.
Tricks of the Mind is Derren Brown’s third book. It includes a very
powerful chapter on memorization that will take you further on your
journey as a memory artist:
http://memorizegermanvocabulary.com/DerrenBrown
Here is Anne Merritt’s article on vocabulary memorization:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationadvice/9816185/Foreign-
languages-how-to-memorise-vocabulary.html
Finally, if you find any resources that you think should be included in
future editions of this book, please do not hesitate to send them to me at
learnandmemorize@zoho.com.
Spread the word!
Do you like this newsletter? Has it helped you improve your Memory
Palace work with tangible results? If so, I want to ask you to help me tell
other people about it.
Since 2007 I’ve made my living entirely by writing and teaching. Yet, I
have done very little promotion for my books. Nearly every sale has come
from people passing on the good news through word of mouth. So now
I’m asking YOU to please help me spread the word. My belief is that the
more people on earth that are able to cultivate bilingual skills (if not
trilingual and more), the better our world will be. The vocabulary
memorization skills described in my books genuinely help people who use
them and the results are real.
Here’s how you can help.
If you have an email list of friends and contacts, why not send them a
message about this newsletter and its contents?
Discuss the newsletter on web forums and message boards.
Print out a few relevant pages and leave them in any common area where
you work or meet with people. You can print your name on the copies so
that people know they belong to you and use the material to start great
conversations about language memorization.
If you have friends or contacts in the press or media, tell them about this
newsletter. They will definitely get a good story, article or feature out of
it. I can easily be contacted by emailing: learnandmemorize@zoho.com.
Write a review of the newsletter and tell people where they can find it.
Post your review on Amazon.
If you write guest blogs or speak on podcasts, mention how this newsletter
has helped you.
If you are a teacher, include this newsletter as part of your course or your
next product launch. You could also invite me to be a speaker and have
me offer your students individualized coaching while I’m there. Contact
me for details.
Thank you.
Anthony Metivier
learnandmemorize@zoho.com
Looking for more of the Magnetic Memory Mondays Newsletter?
In Volume One, you’ll learn:

http://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Memory-Mondays-Newsletter-
ebook/dp/B00C4Y44K2/
* How to use dice to improve your memory.
* How to lower any hurdles that may be hindering your progress.
* Why you should try to learn each new skill you find difficult at least
twice.
* How to extend your Memory Palaces to include 3000 words and more.
* How to use "Big Box" stores as Memory Palaces.
* How to memorize textbooks so you can ace exams.
* How to use video games and TV shows as Memory Palaces.
* Why perfectionism may be slowing you down.
* How to motivate yourself to memorize.
* The best time-management techniques for memorization using Memory

Palaces.
* How to use free email services to memorize new vocabulary.
* What to do if you're not a particularly visual person.
* The importance of paying attention in the first place.
* How to avoid the "Memorization Kryptonite" that may be holding you

back.
Volume 2 of the Magnetic Memory Newsletter teaches you:
ebook/dp/B00CMCSF38/
* How to use variety drills to improve the speed and consistency of your
memory.
* The 6 negative beliefs you need to eliminate in order to achieve your
memorization goals.
* Why mistakes are essential for learning and memorizing.
* Why one German professor defends memorization techniques for

language-learning against the naysayers.
* How to combine the Peg System with Memory Palace journeys for
maximum memorization effectiveness.
* How to create "Palimpsest" Memory Palaces for memorizing more than
one language at a time.
* Why & how collaborating with a memorization partner can boost your
fluency by 100%, 200%, 300% and even more.
* How to memorize new vocabulary in context.
* Where to find an exclusive - and free - online correspondence club for

language learners.
* How to use to chart out and utilize larger places such as convention
centers as Memory Palaces.
* How to memorize names the fast and easy way.
* Why building trust with your own memory is key to success (and
precise instructions on how to do it).
* How to identify and use the "frames of fluency" as you effortlessly
memorize vocabulary and terminology.
* Why there is no such thing as "memory tricks."
* Why one author claims that memorization techniques simply do not

work and an assessment of his alternative approach.
* How to incorporate physical movement into your memorization
procedures.
* Why the most effective memorizers always teach what they know about
Memory Palaces and other mnemonic techniques.
* How to avoid Memory Palace Agoraphobia.
* How Queen Elizabeth memorized the vocabulary of 5 languages with

step-by-step instructions on how you can do it too.
* How to crack the grammar code of any language using memorization
techniques.
If that ain’t enough for you, check out Volume 3:
ebook/dp/B00D5DYGAE/
It will show you:
* A FREE resource for finding over 15,000 phrases you can stuff into
your Magnetic Memory Palaces
* How Zeno's Paradox Relates to Memorization techniques
* How to Use Super Heroes as Memory Palaces
* Why Rote Learning May in Fact Be Easier than Mnemonics
* How to Keep Dr. Forget At Bay
* How to Build Confidence When Speaking a the Vocabulary of a Second

Language You've Memorized
* How to Easily Memorize Spellings
* The Right Way to Memorize By Rote (If You're Going to Insist On

Using Rote Learning)
* Why Memorization Is An Act of "Unhiding"
* How to Use the Ultimate Memorization Equation
* How to Move Buildings Around in Your Memory Palace Array
* Why Spaced Repetition Software May Do You More Harm Than Good
* How to Memorize More Than One Language At Onc
* How to Memorize Like Sherlock Holmes
* ... and much, much more.

And then there’s always Volume 4 if you want to find out:
ebook/dp/B00DQR2S36/
* How to build Memory Palaces that work like roller-coasters (i.e.
automatic, thrilling and fun!)
* Why speed reading may be the ultimate enemy of memorization
* How to use the secrets of "Bibliomancy" to learn and memorize
* The power of vocalization for memorization
* How to shoot for the moon with your memorization efforts
* The key steps to memorizing systematically
* How to focus on improving your memory the right way
* Compounding your associative imagery
* Why meditation will solve just about any memorization problem - fast!
* The most important words memorizers around the world want to store in
their Memory Palaces forever
* Why having a bad memory and practicing memorization badly are not
the same thing* How memorizing a deck of cards can be used to heal
patients* The real secrets behind memorization wizardry
* The "permission-based" memorization technique that will send your
memory soaring
* How to overcome learning disabilities and other imaginary barriers
* How to memorize sheet music and/or tablature
* The power of memorizing foreign language palindromes
* ... and much, much more.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t introduce you to Volumes 5 & 6:
ebook/dp/B00EAB3U2A
You’ll learn:
* The truth and lies about how to memorize concepts (with practical
examples).

* Why rehearsing memorized material backwards is one of the most
powerful memorization techniques in the world.

* How to use TV and Movies to create effective Memory Palaces.

* The secret relationship between Batman and memory techniques.

* How to overcome the "Seven Deadly Sins" of memory.

* Why "3D" Memory Palaces betray the power of your mind.

* How to tell the future with memorization techniques.

* How to avoid the dangers of memory "charlatans".

* How to deal with personal memories that get in the way of your Memory
Palace journeys.

* The best ways to read your book from the Magnetic Memory series.

* Precisely how memory techniques help fight depression.

* How to memorize foreign language cognates and conjunctions.

* How memorization multiplies your intelligence.

* How to use a GPS navigator to help improve your memory.

* 7 ways to be the MacGuyver of memorization.

* How to defeat the "willy-nilly" approach to memorization once and for all.

Magnetic Memory Newsletter Volume 6

ebook/dp/B00EZAMCLQ
In this volume you’ll learn:
* The right attitude to have when it comes to magnetically memorizing
tonnes of vocabulary and other information* How to "localize" material
that you've memorized.* Why the Magnetic Memory Method is not a
game of "follow the guru" (and how to take my knowledge and make it
your own).* How to easily memorize grammar rules.* How to build
Memory Palaces effectively, even if you live in the countryside.* How to
overcome the resistance and negativity we hold about our memory
abilities.* How and why memory skills improve different parts of the
brain.* How to memorize page numbers (so you don't have to dog-ear
your books when you haven't got a bookmark).* 4 reasons why
"memorization" is the dirtiest word in the world.* Ever more on the faults
of rote learning and the benefits of mnemonics.* A list of amazing
dictionaries you can use to find and memorize dozens of amazing words
in any foreign language.* How to avoid getting caught up in
perfectionism.* How and why working with Memory Palaces helps defeat
depression.* How to avoid having your friends think you're insane for
using Memory Palaces (and make the world a better place).* How to
overcome exhaustion and still recall memorized information in the thick
of battle.* A special game to help you memorize names and faces.* The
perfect age to start using memorization techniques. * The truth about
"stepping outside of your comfort zone." * Why using Memory Palaces is
not a "sometimes-affair."* How to easily use emotion, gusto, verve and
innuendo in your memorization efforts. * And much, much more ...
Magnetic Memory Newsletter Volume 7
ebook/dp/B00FOR5XQA
If you've ever wanted to double, triple or even quadruple the effectiveness of
your Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method for vocabulary
memorization, then this seventh compilation of the Magnetic Memory Mondays
newsletter will show you:

* How to deal with -‐ and possibly -‐ overcome ADHD using Memory Palaces.

* Why Magneto is a better memorization role model than either the Joker or
Batman.

* The "feel-‐good" keys to the kingdom of advanced memory skills.

* Secret (and easy) techniques for memorizing names and faces.

* How to eliminate the inevitable confusion that comes from poorly constructed
Memory Palaces.

* The incredible link between meditation and memory skills.

* How to boost your concentration when reading so you can memorize the stuff
once and for all.

* Why running your hands along the walls may improve your foreign language
vocabulary memorization efforts.

* How to build up to 20,000 words and more in your quest for fluency.

* The hidden mastery skills you'll need to keep your Memory Palace journeys
linear.

* The real reasons why advanced memory skills for everyone would have
prevented 9/11 (and all other wars).

* Why memorizing Chinese is easier than dealing with a hangover.

* Precisely why the need for motivation is a myth and how to exploit it.

* How to avoid going outside in your Memory Palaces (if for some reason you've
got a cold and might die from even just a tiny draft of fresh Memory Palace air).

* Why you should never play "follow the memorizer" and how to do your own
thing for maximum success.

* How to "like" the words you are trying to memorize so that they stick in your
mind better.

* How to "shoo" procrastination out of your life so that you can make real
advances in your language memorization efforts.

* Why you should never fail to dare.

* The absolutely best (and most Magnetic) way to use to-‐do lists.

* How to put your "abs" into the memorization process.

* The most effective way to use elevators in your Memory Palaces so that you can
build nearly infinitive networks of them and memorize massive amounts of
vocabulary starting right now.


The Magnetic Memory system has been used by real language learners and
people interested in improving their memory abilities, most of whom previously
considered themselves owners of a "bad memory" to make real strides in
memorizing new languages, knowledge and terminology.

Don't worry! None of the techniques and ideas revealed in this newsletter are
rocket science.

Frankly, if you can memorize a short email address or the name of a movie, then
you can use the Magnetic Memory system to memorize all the information you
could ever want or need.

But there's really no time to lose.

Every day that you are not using the Magnetic Memory Method, you are literally
stealing from yourself the joy of reading, speaking and knowing a second-‐
language and recalling metric tons of information as you easily expand the
natural abilities of your mind.
About the Author
Anthony Metivier completed his BA and MA in English Literature at
York University in Toronto, Canada. He earned a second MA in Media
and Communications from The European Graduate School in Switzerland
while completing a PhD in Humanities, also from York. As the author of
scholarly articles, fiction and poetry, he has taught Film Studies in
Canada, the United States and Germany. He plays the electric bass.
One Last Invitation …

If you aren’t already subscribed to the Magnetic Memory Mondays
newsletter, you can sign up at:
http://www.magneticmemorymethod.com/sign-up/.
As a subscriber to the prestigious Magnetic Memory newsletter, you’ll
receive a free set of Magnetic Memory worksheets that will help you
achieve your memorization goals. Whilst subscriptions are currently free
for readers of my books, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be making this
offer. Subscribe now and get the only information that will keep your
memory magnetic for years to come.
© 2013 Metivier Magnetic Memory Series.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced

in any form or by any means, including scanning, photocopying, or
otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
Disclaimer and Terms of Use: The Author and Publisher have strived to
be as accurate and complete as possible in the creation of this book,
notwithstanding the fact that he does not warrant or represent at any time
that the contents within are accurate due to the rapidly changing nature of
the Internet. While all attempts have been made to verify information
provided in this publication, the Author and Publisher assumes no
responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the
subject matter herein. Any perceived slights of specific persons, peoples,
or organizations are unintentional.
This Edition, Copyright 2013

Magnetic Memory Mondays Newsletter Volume 8 October 2013 PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Magnetic Memory Mondays Newsletter Volume 8 October 2013 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

People around the world dream of becoming fluent in another language or

becoming experts in a professional field using the powers of their memory

The Little Magnetic Memorizer Who Could

I Memorize The Poem Magnetic

Did Ogden Memorize Vocabulary Or Just Stick It Into Lists?

I Sold My Soul To Memorize Foreign Language Vocabulary

Miss Saigon Never Memorizes Vocabulary Wrong

Send Me The Magnetic Memory Link (Bitte)

An Incredible Book On Memorizing Kanji

Right-Brained Memorizers In A Left-Brained World

Rudolph the Magnetic Memory-nosed Reindeer

Memorize Me Baby One More Time

Halloween Was Never Memorized So Magnetically

There Is Hope For Conceptual Memory Palace Memorizers

Let's kick off spooky October with a fabulously Magnetic question.

Thanks for your very interesting memory materials. I am making my way

(Please forgive me if I've overlooked or just haven't gotten to an answer

Can you explain what this means?

What happens for you if you conceptualize?

I am pretty visual. I can't *not* see Mona scribbling on her leg. :)

And how does this "conceptualization"process, whatever it is, work as

I am curious in general, and also specifically because I want to teach

Thanks in advance for sharing any insights you might have.

Thanks for this great question!

First off, although I am conceptual and do fall back on conceptualization a

a) engage in exercises that make me more visual, such as drawing and

As a side note, in On Writing, Stephen King talks about how he usually

As to how I "pin" concepts to stations within a Memory Palace, it's pretty

Let's take the Mona Lisa example.

I go to a particular station in the Memory Palace and as I am "there" I

It's actually a wonderful and creative thing to do.

... I don't always do it.

And in turn, this (almost) always diminishes the effect of the

In sum, mnemonics will work for conceptual people simply by mentally

2) Each bookcase has 10 shelves

3) Each shelf has 3 stations (left, middle, right)

4) I start at the top of each bookcase and work my way down

It doesn't take more than a few seconds to permanently configure such

Just using the place you live now.

Just two stations.

We all know that deadlines ... sort of work.

That's because our deadlines are largely undefined.

That would look something like:

Can you spot the difference here?

Question: How does 9 am to 10 am sound?

If you don't believe me, go here:

And it's pretty easy to achieve too.

Typically, however, I would reserve homophonic transliteration for

As for memorizing more than one language at a time, Lecture 15

Incidentally, by "channel" I am thinking of tracks, as in the tracks divided

If you're not already memorizing foreign language vocabulary, you'll find

Gathering 26 Memory Palaces can be a challenge.

Let's get the whining part out of the way first. ;)

I'm having a hell of a time coming up with a list for my locations!!!

I sat for nearly an hour and toyed with places.

I couldn't even come up with a location I DIDN'T know! lol

Any suggestions here? :'

The other "question" is ... (and it's related to the previous)

The reason I ask is this.

Each entry shows an example as well .... so that is helpful in coming up

All else, as you know would get eXaGgErAtEd. ;D

But I digress ... sorry.

Not sure if you have any advice here or not.

Hope all is well.

I am pretty visual. I can't not see Mona scribbling on her leg. :)