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Who will help install the global memory-story database?
The memory-story method of retaining complex things can be enormously entertaining.
My wife and I played the game of finding something to memorise and inventing each part of teh story in turns. THe story got soo bizaar and funny.
I propose that we can start a database of hillarious stories to capture some of life and science's deepest, most important things, and larf while doing it.
We just each take a subject, and between one or a group of people invent the mnemonic story, each taking turns, then record the whole story and post it with the important memorandum as the heading.
Does this sound like a good idea?
If so - are you willing to put some time into getting it online?
natasha nikulina 50+
I am a bit late to join the team work, but I've got inspired by your project , here is my story :
There's 2 scientists in the lab, Einstein is giving Newton a painful nipple-twist, and Newton is going "EEEEEE".
Not that it hurts that much, but it is totally inappropriate behaviour for the scientific lab when all colleague scientists are watching.
Newton's eyebrows are rising in a mute question, he gives a long meaningful glance...but Einstein keeps on smiling with these mischievous eyes of his.
And in a 'read-my-lips' fashion bewildered Newton articulates : " WHAT DOES IT MEAN?"
( =)
Einstein repeats loudly , as if to check his understanding, "mean ? " " Have you said ' mean ' ? Do you think I am mean ? ! "
"MMMMMean ?!!!! "
-"Stop going round the circle ! " Exclaims annoyed Newton." I demand an explanation !"
- "Wow ! Circle is a good idea ! I have never been in favour of a line-like motion !"
CIRCLE ! CIRCLE ! Scrubbing his head, Einstein starts to move in a circle around his desk. He moves faster and faster ,mumbling :
Circle, circle CCCCCircle ....
-'' Then SQUARE the Circle !!!! ! " shouts angry Newton to piss him off !
-"You are a genius , old chap ! I could never do this alone !!!
And Einstein writes for posterity on the lab's wall
E = mc2
Mitch SMith 50+
Now you should apply it to some more complex thing that you need to memorise - it's great for telephone numbers and stuff like that.
Zdenek Smith 100+
Do you have a specific examples of such stories?
Mitch SMith 50+
The example in Joshua's talk is classic - with the naked bicyclists, cookie monster etc ..
When you get 2 or more people contributing in turns to each next point to remember, that's when it gets absolutely hillarious.
For example - let's do a short story to remember E=MCsquared ..
So I start with: "E"
THere's 2 scientists in teh lab, Einstein is giving Newton a painful nipple-twist, and Newton is going "EEEEEE".
you're next - we need something for "=" ??
What happens next in the story? (it helps to link the plot).
Zdenek Smith 100+
This is an interesting approach.
I am not sure I am creative enough but I would continue the story with "equally" surprised about Einstein's behavior was passing by security guard. =)
cheers
Mitch SMith 50+
next:
Satisfied by the effect, Einsteins says "MMMM!"
Next?
Chris Kelly 20+
Then, faster than the speed of light, Einstein thinks to imself about Newton :::what a square:::.*
*2*
Mitch SMith 50+
(one has to link the ideas to spacial and sensual associations - abstract things are hard to retain)
But you can see how the process introduces unexpected associations - that makes it all the more funny and memorable.
This one using E=MCsquared is a hard one because it deals with abstracts. It is easier to do stories linking whole words or phrases.
Zdenek Smith 100+
I have to note that in my opinion kids should not need to learn formulas but rather understand what the formulas or laws work and how to use them? But that is another topic =)
Cheers
Mitch SMith 50+
However, memorisation can be essential with things that are simple arbrtrary frameworks for mutual understanding (e.g. alphabet, teh spelling of words, sequences of history, geographical data etc) .. things that are intrinsically irreducable .. computer languages come to mind. These are things that are simple touchstone symbols that we agree to maintain for no causal reason except communication.