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Memory and Memorization

RubberDucky451

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I've recently realized my memorization skills are completely terrible. I find a lot of things interesting yet I find it increasingly hard to retain the knowledge. I tend to remember the concept on the ideas specified but not the specific details. This specific learning style has made it difficult to learn certain subjects -- I've had an abysmal time remembering dates for history class and verbs/etc. for my Spanish class.

Questions:

- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?
- Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?
- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.
- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?
 

Latro

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My event memory is abysmal. Seriously, I have almost no mental narrative to fall back on whatsoever. It's to the point where I'm actually giving some consideration to getting this checked out.

My concept memory is fantastic, however. My rote memory is pretty poor but not absolutely abysmal, while my random fact memory (things that are "rote" but that I did not deliberately drill into my skull) is also fantastic. My "language memory" is almost inhumanly good for a while when first studying a new language and then levels off to decent after that.

I also have a bizarre sort of rote-concept memory where I develop recall of things as if I knew them by rote but where I did not learn them in even vaguely rote ways. When I try to explain how I learned things I learned in this way to people, not only do they get confused, but I get confused.
 

Da Blob

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I've recently realized my memorization skills are completely terrible. I find a lot of things interesting yet I find it increasingly hard to retain the knowledge. I tend to remember the concept on the ideas specified but not the specific details. This specific learning style has made it difficult to learn certain subjects -- I've had an abysmal time remembering dates for history class and verbs/etc. for my Spanish class.

Questions:

- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?
Who knows? I can memorize if i put enough effort into it
Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?
There are three main types of Memory, perceptual, Recognition and Recall. I have a great recognition memory and excel at multiple choice tests - but my recall memory is pathetic, it results in many, many "Tip-of-the tongue" experiences when i recognize something, but i can't recall it, such as recognizing the fact there is a better word to use, but then not being able to actually recall that word
- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.
I would if i could remember any... Well, there's this instead

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...techniques&aq=8sx&aqi=g-sx10&aql=&oq=memnotic


- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?

Iam that IAm, or Ken Wilbur's book
 

Dormouse

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I have a terrible memory for names and dates but a good memory for concepts and formulas.
I remember things by repetition. Normally I won't know I've memorized it until later. It just sort of materializes.
42.
 

Lobstrich

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I'm very opposite. I have an extremely good memory, I remember names, streets, people, time, when, what, how. I'm like 15 elephants in one. :elephant:
But it's subconsciously selective. I remember everything, but some stuff flies away (mainly stuff I find stupid)

The ultimate question of life? What are you asking? It's not a question..
Well it is, but it seems like you want me to ask myself a question.
 

Fool

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- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?
Yes, I have horrible short term memory. Terrible.
- Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?
The stuff I do remember I remember in chunks of general information rather than minute details.
- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.
I have none. lol
- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?
:rolleyes:
 

Vrecknidj

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It takes me a really long time to memorize people's names.

I usually have no problem memorizing concepts or formulas or instructions though if they are sufficiently complicated I can only memorize them in chunks.

Dave
 

useless username

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Our intuitive cognitive process is responsible for overlooking most details, I believe. But sensors are usually very factual people, on the other hand. Thus, this should be quite normal in people who indicate their type to be INTP.

As far as the solution goes... uhm.. pick different classes? Or listen to cassette tapes all night long as your sleeping. :D
 

RedLoki

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I had a terrible memory but it's much better now. I try to picture images in my mind and it helps a lot. It's difficult at first because you must put all your brain power towards it, you can't be daydreaming or thinking of other things. There's still many times I can't because I have other things on my mind. It takes a real conscious effort.

Something I do to pass the time and easy to remember to do. When I sit on the toilet there's always a million things on the bathroom countertop in front of me. I'll try glance at it, glance away and close my eyes then picture how everything is arranged, describe it in words, give specific details about the objects (what it is, what's it used for, where it is in relation to something else, etc). Trying to do it with as few glances as you can. I try to play Brain Age on my DS, but I always forget to do it frequently (the irony lol) or don't have the time.

Trying to picture things in your mind is also especially good when listening to people, they'll notice how attentive and how well you listened to them. They'll be more willing to listen to my crazy ideas as a result. I think this is what some people call active listening too. A good example of this, I tried practicing with my brother (he didn't know). He described to me a cottage him and his girlfriend were looking at. I retained about two paragraphs worth of information just by listening, only asked him to clarify specific details that made it easier for me to remember. He was amazed that I remembered exactly everything he said about it. A week later I drove his girlfriend home and recited the same details to her about the cottage. She was amazed I remembered so well because they probably won't buy it lol
 

nim

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Indeed, I have a hard time remembering things. I've forgot many an important detail. However, I seem to have filled up my head with Hamlet's soliloquies and Douglas Adams. Speaking generally, I remember best by repetition, but, unless I really want to learn whatever it is that I would have to repeat, I don't learn it at all, which is unfortunate here at college, where I must memorise and memorise the most idiotic little facts. I'm good at both general ideas and specific detail, but the subjects vary for both. General ideas about, say, history, or science, I'm better at remembering, while specific details about literature, mathematics, or science fiction I can remember quite well. Birthdays and holidays sometimes seem to escape me, though. Why would we want the answer if we don't know the question yet? That's what I wonder.
 

Adymus

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I have a tip for you: Articulation.

If you want to remember something, try discussing it with someone else, or an even better idea would be to teach it to someone else. Our Si is connected to our Fe, and before we can articulate something, we actually have to put it in structural and concise order, which we use Si for. The fact that we modeled an idea enough to actually send it down the line of all of our functions, straight down to Fe gives it an even greater impact that will allow us to reach back into Si and pull it out at a later time.
 

nim

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I have a tip for you: Articulation.

If you want to remember something, try discussing it with someone else, or an even better idea would be to teach it to someone else. Our Si is connected to our Fe, and before we can articulate something, we actually have to put it in structural and concise order, which we use Si for. The fact that we modeled an idea enough to actually send it down the line of all of our functions, straight down to Fe gives it an even greater impact that will allow us to reach back into Si and pull it out at a later time.

How does one find people who want to actually talk about it with one? There are so many people out there who will listen, but don't care. If you talk with them about it, they either nod but silently doze off, or, if you try to teach them, their eyes start glazing over. Where does one find teachable, curious people? Other than that, I agree, and your post is brilliant.
 

Adymus

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How does one find people who want to actually talk about it with one? There are so many people out there who will listen, but don't care. If you talk with them about it, they either nod but silently doze off, or, if you try to teach them, their eyes start glazing over. Where does one find teachable, curious people? Other than that, I agree, and your post is brilliant.
Okay, then talk to yourself... out loud. No seriously, it won't be as effective as discussing it with another person, but it will still prove effective.
 

nim

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Okay, then talk to yourself... out loud. No seriously, it won't be as effective as discussing it with another person, but it will still prove effective.

Oh, yay! I do that already, all of the time, everywhere. I think people mistake me for a crazy person. Unless... maybe I really am crazy.

:smiley_emoticons_mr
 

walfin

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RubberDucky451 said:
- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?
Not really...in some ways.
RubberDucky451 said:
- Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?
General info. I remember only useless stuff, that is, stuff that is not needed at the moment. The moment something is needed recall fails me.
RubberDucky451 said:
- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.
I don't actually use techniques.
The best way seems to be just to read everything and I will remember some of it, I just hope it will be the important stuff.
RubberDucky451 said:
- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?
:borg:
 

Jah

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I have always had good memory, nigh photographic. My brother (INFP) has even better than I, in relation to written word, and can remember direct quotations after one or two reads.

I thought good memory was universal for INTP, (or at least for INxP).


Anyway, look up mnemonics, it's a field of it's own, and learn to trust your unconscious inclinations. (If you think you have the answer, you most likely do.)
Another thing is that the more interest you can create around a certain field, the more easily you can remember it, since there is more activity in relation to it.


I wonder whether memory is inherited or learned or both. (I realize that most people can learn it, but the question is whether some are born with natural memorization techniques that are better suited than others.)


There's tons of stuff on the interweb that suggests it has the answer, but why should there have to be one ?
If you take natural evolution and niche-filling as the purpose of life, at some point we will evolve beyond this planet, and perhaps beyond a physical body (I know I would if I could), but that is something that may happen, it is not a meaning or a goal, unless we make it one.

Meaning is a mental construct, not evolved.
The meaning of evolution is to be bigger, stronger, more adaptable and have greater odds of surviving than the next cell or symbiotic life-organism/society. (Society since this may be understood as ecosystem or human society or any other form of symbiosis which in a way competes with other nearby symbioses)

The ulterior motivation and goal of which is to survive, to continue adapting to even more complex forms and stages until life quality, longevity and quantity is guaranteed and permeates the entire known universe.

What then ?
Continue, evolve, get better than before and observe yourself in doing so.
The wheel metaphor is a good one here, there may have been a beginning, but there is no end. Once you strike the beginning again, you start over on a (relatively) higher level.


(Why we look for meaning is another question, far more interesting, in some sense. You may want to meditate over why you seek meaning, rather than the meaning itself.) ;)
 

intuitivet

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Questions:

- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?
- Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?
- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.
- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?
1) Yes, but not always, so kind of? I can memorise really long names of things in biology easily (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and such) but other things elude me (especially spellings and people's names).
2) I remember the general stuff and then have to go over specifics ALOT
3)I rehearse and rehearse etc etc the knowledge until I can't not know it!
4) I can't tell you, sorry :(

This remembering thing reminds me of Sherlock Holmes only storing necessary information in his brain (the attic metaphor).
 

Adamastor

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My memory is pretty common I think, I remember what I put my focus on...

I never forgot names or faces (though I have never bothered to, for instance, remember streets names...).

Like many INTP's I remember pretty much I've read conceptually, so I am quite good with quotations, but they are, most of the time not acurate, they are pretty much like this: Well, XYZ said something like that: "<text here>".

Also I am really good holding information I am using for a while, this is really useful whenever I am solving a math problem or progamming challenge, etc...

I'd say my memory is conceptual, I remember what I understand, or else I would remember by "brute force" (in this case, I will only remember it for a few months, maybe...). This opposes to photographic or visual memory, even though conceptually memorizing somethings involves all of you (all your resources), if I wish to remember a place (like looking from the top of a mountain), I wouldn't be able too... That's just too much information, I would probably focus on a few strategic points and if a I had to redraw the whole image, I would use these points as a base...
 

Minuend

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1. I think my memorizing is pretty average.

2. I remember ideas more clearly. I'm horrible at names, faces and dates. Ideas I can sew into my world view in some way, making it easier to remember.

3. If it's memorizing for a test, I use visualization. When I read for fun, it's not that important to remember. Critical reading helps me remember as well -> To question everything I read and compare it with known facts and opinions.

4. Potato pie
 

420MuNkEy

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I tend to remember unique information and discard the unused/repetitive. For example, I remember how find the difference of two numbers but do not commit the difference of every two numbers possible to memory. Names, phone numbers, ip addresses, etc, are also things I tend to not remember, because any conceptual meaning that would be associated with it is more or less the result of arbitrary chance (ie, the digits in a phone number is only arbitrarily connected to the phone they reach.).

Mnemonics have never worked for me. They just create more arbitrary (and thus, forgettable) links between information. The only thing that has worked is genuinely unique information that I use. Other than that, just make notes of stuff you need to know (not sure this would go over well in school with the draconian tests that only seem to check your mental absorbency).

And to answer your last question, some would have you believe the answer is 42...
The real answer is A(g64, g64)/π
English: Ackermann(Graham's number, Graham's number)/Pi
 

WeAreTheStrange

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- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?

- I don't think so, I haven't really put much thought into that.



- Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?

- It depends, If I committ to studying ( which is rare ) I can remember most of the things I read( tough I also have to review just so the info won't get lost in the vast sea of other information my mind has aquired).



- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.

- Im not sure I have many. Usually I go somewhere I won't be disturbed and just dive into the material. Also it helps being as far away from any distractions as humanly possible.




- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?

If i had the answers to those, i'm pretty sure one of the following would happen:

A. God strikes me down, for fear of me revealing these secrets.

B. My mind explodes from understanding said concepts.

C. I become God ( or a God)

or worst case scenario

D. The whole universe ceases to exist
 

WeAreTheStrange

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(though I have never bothered to, for instance, remember streets names...).

My father would always criticize me for that!

"how many times have we been through these places and you still can't memorize the names of the streets" yadda yadda yadda yadda ... while he was busy giving a lecture I had already dozed off into my dreamland asking myself if the cloud i was looking at was cumulus or stratocumulus... yaaaawn :rolleyes:
 

Agent Intellect

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Adymus hit the nail on the head, at least for me. I was a tutor for math and chemistry this last semester at school, and teaching the subjects to other people helps me to retain information better than any lecture or homework assignment ever did. I wouldn't say that I'm all that great at math, but I got 106% in my math class and 96% in my chemistry class (very math heavy) this last semester, and I probably couldn't have done it without having to teach the shit to other people.

I wouldn't even say that one would necessarily have to teach it to other people, but I also found that writing things down helped a lot. For my English class, we were supposed to keep a journal, so I used it to write about the books I was reading (that's right, I still read for pleasure even during school - I'm addicted) and 'respond' to them, and I've retained a lot from the books that I read over this last semester (I read "Being and Nothingness" by Sartre and "QED" by Richard Feynman).

Of course, this worked best because I was forced to write anyway. I usually have a difficult time doing journal writing or reflective writing of any kind on my own, but it's definitely something I'm going to try and use next school year. I might also suggest using the forum as a place to discuss things you may want to remember later on (although, as much as people here pride themselves on intelligence, it's usually difficult to have any meaningful conversation on detail or fact based academia - people are more interested in general, open-ended topics or playing devils advocate with your facts in an attempt to appear clever).
 

tashi

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I've recently realized my memorization skills are completely terrible. I find a lot of things interesting yet I find it increasingly hard to retain the knowledge. I tend to remember the concept on the ideas specified but not the specific details. This specific learning style has made it difficult to learn certain subjects -- I've had an abysmal time remembering dates for history class and verbs/etc. for my Spanish class.

Questions:

- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?
- Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?
- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.
- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?

I most definitely have a difficult time memorizing specific bits of knowledge. Like you, once I have an idea or general understanding of something I never forget, but when it comes to dates or anything along those lines, I usually struggle.
Something that I have found helpful in memorizing things is to try and find some sort of larger meaning that you can attach to whatever it is you wish to memorize. As for things that are longer, such as speeches or poems, breaking them apart into smaller bits is always helpful.
 

chaomon

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I'm not good remembering names and numbers. & sometimes I cant even remember what happen yesterday (well I remember it as a dream not as a reality). I think that's what happen to me when I'm bored I tend to forget everything that happens at that day. When it comes on school stuff If I'm not interested on it I forgot it, but when I am so damn interested on it I can even remember every single words.
 

pacman244740

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Memorization Ability is relative to my interest. However, even if I'm not interested reading in once everyday for 2-3 days 90% of it will stick.
 

Tunesimah

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Long term is okay, actually it's pretty good... the only issue is I'll forget random details or not able to recall stuff I know that's in there. I retain the essence of items in my memory.

Short term/working memory is horrible. I seriously have a learning disability or some sort of major issue with this.

Learning a new language is very difficult for me. I know it could come eventually, if I can somehow get that info down into long term memory... but that jump would take many years of horrible practice and until it gets to that point... total frustration.

I use little tricks to help me memorize, but I don't have any tricks to help brute force memorization. Just basically the shotgun approach, and hope that enough of it sticks.
 

Enne

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^Why don't you try internalizing the other language? When you study, do you translate what you read or hear into your native language before asserting the appropriate translation, or are you already forming thoughts in the targeted language? Though the latter takes practice as it assumes that you have some ability to form intermediate level phrases in the target, I think that minimizing the internalization might help the other language "stick" faster. . .

. . . if that makes any sense. :p
 

walfin

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I remember what I don't memorise.
 

Tunesimah

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^Why don't you try internalizing the other language? When you study, do you translate what you read or hear into your native language before asserting the appropriate translation, or are you already forming thoughts in the targeted language? Though the latter takes practice as it assumes that you have some ability to form intermediate level phrases in the target, I think that minimizing the internalization might help the other language "stick" faster. . .

. . . if that makes any sense. :p

I don't know what you mean by internalizing the language... but when I studied a language I'm really focused on trying to find over riding patterns in the language. This is what I do when I study anything really. I don't even notice the little details they don't register, how it all fits into a whole is what registers in my mind.

The problem is that even though I'll understand the structure, that isn't good enough to translate my ideas into a new world of words.

I also have a phobia of sorts of speaking out loud, if I could sit in a room and practice phrases in the language... and tap into my speaking/auditory side of my brain... than learning a language would be better I think.
 

Reptillian

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- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?
It's depends on the subject. I can remember things from my 5 senses by far more than most people and I can even remember things only with my touch. Sound memory is piss-poor compared to other areas though.

- Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?
Tactical-Spatial Memory which is known as the ability to memorize any object using the senses and knowing how it look in 3D form (Yes, I made it up) I can remember things such as location, rotation, and distance no problem. The area I can't easily memorize are names and certain information, but at least I have my problem-solving skills to recall. Even if I lose most of the face information, my brain simply gets the minimal information on the 3d surface from another view and then make up a 3d view till it builds up. I can do art anyway I want to using my memory.

- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.
Look above. It'll get you a bit of idea of how I memorize thing. I just try to work with my sense and focus and bam, I remember. Sense such as touch and sight makes up most of my memory skills. Sound and smelling takes a lot more effort to memorize. If you say something to me verbally for hours, I'll forget in 15 minutes.

- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?
There is no full detail of the absolute answer.
 

The Frood

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- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?
42!!!!
lol, sorry couldn't help myself. I will read the rest of the thread and probably respond tomorrow.

EDIT. eh, or not. I don't have anything to add.
 

Soledad

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I've recently realized my memorization skills are completely terrible. I find a lot of things interesting yet I find it increasingly hard to retain the knowledge. I tend to remember the concept on the ideas specified but not the specific details. This specific learning style has made it difficult to learn certain subjects -- I've had an abysmal time remembering dates for history class and verbs/etc. for my Spanish class.

Questions:

- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?

Yes, it happens when I don't pay much attention or am too lazy to make an effort. I have difficulty remembering names (I only remember the faces but get stuck on names, while others seem to easily remember mine). I study Spanish too and because I am less motivated to learn than ever now the language skill is a little behind most of the class (at the beginning I was an outstanding student).

- Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?
The former answer. I try to think of how I felt when I experienced certain thing the first time to be able to remember or at least describe the scene a little more in details.

- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.

Take note on a piece of paper, read it quickly, then either keep or lose the note (this make it looks more like a challenge to try to remember later). Usually I won't keep a daily schedule cuz once I start, I hardly continue to make it a habit. I am more likely to make mental notes and forget those that I don't give importance to until someone asks, or simply I ask them to remind me instead.

- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?
It's fascinating to keep learning cuz the Universe is ever growing. Never assume there's a god unless you want to entertain yourself with an imaginary friend. What is certain, my friend, is uncertainty.
 

BitRogue

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I've recently realized my memorization skills are completely terrible. I find a lot of things interesting yet I find it increasingly hard to retain the knowledge. I tend to remember the concept on the ideas specified but not the specific details. This specific learning style has made it difficult to learn certain subjects -- I've had an abysmal time remembering dates for history class and verbs/etc. for my Spanish class.
Yes - I've started becoming more aware and frustrated with some of these limitations that I'm only now started becoming aware of. They've always been there, but I am only now started trying to get my brain around them and why Im like this.

- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?
Certain types of things never seem to stick in my head where others would read the same stuff and they can recall it without issue.

- Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?
The ability to remember something is in direct proportion to how interesting it was.
Sensory stuff is usually pretty good, if not bordering on fantastic. Watching something, listening to something, feeling something, these all play back richly in my head. I have big arguments with people when they are relating to an event and I keep saying 'Thats not how it happened'
Concepts and ideas that I read or discuss also have phenomenal recollection.
Areas where I suck are numbers,dates, names or specific details of an explanation. ( I am known to go to work on a public holiday before I realise that it is a public holiday)
I also find that I can learn a subject quite well in the short term, but then without drawing on that knowledge for a couple of months, I will quickly forget about it again. This is the one thing that really frustrates me. Im an expert on something for a month and then it abandons me. :mad:

- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.
Hmmm, repetition. And I HATE repetition, but for certain skills, this is the only way.
Diarise dates. And I HATE diaries because I never remember to use them. The active diaries of PDAs and cellphones are about my only saving grace - as long as I remember to use them.
Documenting some of the things / procedures that I formulate. If its something involved I will usually do this (aside from requirements from my job). Oh yes, and did I mention that I HATE documentation.

- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?
Fourty Two!! What was the question?
 

Geminii

Consultant, inventor, project innovator
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I have the same situation as the original poster. I've found I can do better on memorization by writing things down and then doing repetition on them over and over for a couple of days or weeks. Names, particularly - the last time I had an interview, I wrote down the names of the people who were going to be on the panel and repeated them to myself a couple of times a day before the date of the interview, just so I'd be able to call them by name when the time came.
 

Dormouse

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Names are terribly. I just blame the parents for naming their kids things that sound alike.

How am I supposed to tell Jessica and Melissa and Alissa apart? Bah.

Plus, I don't like calling people by their names (I dunno, it seems too personal.) so repetition doesn't really cut it.
 

WhoAmI

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;)Ok So I had a very hard time remembering things so i did a little research and step 1 is get organized no clutter. Next we are usually in autopilot most of the time and spacing out so try to identify things that stand out with your sences ie sight sound smell taste and connect them to what you want to remember ie faces with certain voices at the end of the day go back and retrace what you did backwards. Also repetition is a very helpfull tool I now can remeber in pretty good detail things that happened a year ago what i did and what i was thinking so it does work and in case you ask, where did i learn this... I went to ask.com and typed in how to remember everything lol
 

TheHmmmm

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I have a tip for you: Articulation.

If you want to remember something, try discussing it with someone else, or an even better idea would be to teach it to someone else. Our Si is connected to our Fe, and before we can articulate something, we actually have to put it in structural and concise order, which we use Si for. The fact that we modeled an idea enough to actually send it down the line of all of our functions, straight down to Fe gives it an even greater impact that will allow us to reach back into Si and pull it out at a later time.

This applies to more than just INTP's or anyone whom the MBTI can categorize. While most people rely on visual learning for their mental processing, auditory reinforcement helps everyone in retaining information and talking to someone you value intellectually also spurs the conceptualization process. In short, the benefits of "talking it out with someone" extend far beyond the standard cognitive functions.
 

hope

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- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?
I have auditory strengths and visual weaknesses. If you go by the iq tests my auditory memory is >99th percentile and visual is about 50th
- Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info? I have a great memory for written or spoken information, but a terrible sense of direction
- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques. Mnemonics
- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything? 20 (in base 21)
 

Abraxas

γνῶσις
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Questions:

- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?
- Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?
- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.
- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?

1. I believe I do.
2. Details don't seem to "stick" to my mind. The bigger the picture the easier it is to remember.
3. I'm not sure how this sounds, but I make "philosophies" in my mind about anything. Sort of like structured systems with laws and principles and shit. I'm not saying it's a successfull way to memorize things, but it's the most successfull I'm capable of.
4. The amount of answers depends on the amount of conscious beings able to observe the question. The variety of answers is depended on the levels of consciousness on those beings. My answer at this state of consciousness is: P-L-E-A-S-U-R-E-E-E-E-E-H-H-H-H
 

Polaris

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Questions:

- Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?
- Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?
- How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.
- What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?

I) I retain information relatively quickly, as I seem to grasp concepts quickly. In my study groups, I usually end up supplying all the conceptual background so that problems can be solved on a group level efficiently. I provide facts, etc as well. But then it's out the other ear rather quickly if I don't keep using the stored info for some purpose. My short term memory is pathetic. It means I can study hard for a couple of nights before an exam without having much background generally, and still do well. It is quickly forgotten though, not a wise way to study, but sometimes you don't have the choice. That's why I keep all my textbooks for references later.

II) Both, depending on how interested I am in the subject. On the subject of soil erosion in the Roman and Mayan empires, for example, I pretty much memorised a whole chapter with events, dates, names and all, simply because I found it fascinating. Can't remember a thing now, though :slashnew:

III) I have no techniques. I think I rely on visual "imprints" quite a lot.

IIII) Just bring a towel, and you'll be right.
 

leopold

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Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?

Yeah, but more so in the past.

Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?

It depends..? I remember general info in things like math and physics where I really should know how to execute equations and the specifics whereas in classes around books and humanities I remember a lot of specific things (often useless).

How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.

I often realize that when I'm studying something, even if I think I know what it is when I'm reading about it or looking at it, I don't actually have a concretely verbal definition of it in my head. By explaining the concept or even just stating whatever it was, I struggle, and only when I succeed in defining it in terms that the other person can understand, is when it will mostly commit itself. Which is so stupid because I hardly ever do that because I say, "Aha I know it!" and of course I don't.

What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?

42 but that's not important without knowing the question!
 

EyeSeeCold

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  1. - Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?
  2. - Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?
  3. - How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.
  4. - What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?

I'll combine 1, 2, 3...It's such a hassle to keep them separate.

I remember through context/meaning and basic forms that move in space-time. While I'm able to recall what someone said or what happened at a given time, I cannot remember things that have had no impact on my personal life, such as names and details, details. In fact, I would say that is how I memorize experiences... They leave impressions and I remember their essence without the extras. I always keep a pen and paper in my pocket to write ideas down, I forget too easily.

The answer is the question to the answer.
 

bleepbloop

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Do you have a difficult time memorizing things, in comparison to other people?

I think I'm pretty decent at memorizing things.

Do you remember specific things, or are you more apt to remember general info?

I can recall fairly big chunks of text, especially if it's something I've written. But I'm more likely to remember the broader idea than the details, usually.

How do you successfully memorize things? Name a few techniques.

Visualization. I place myself mentally in the situation where the info was first heard or thought about thoroughly. I've noticed that often the perspective in these visualizations is external - I'll see myself through the 'eyes' of an observer, I can walk up to myself and hit him, etc. I'm usually most successful at memorizing/understanding the info when these memories are reformed as happening differently, with different questions asked and outcomes; it becomes like an internal conversation carried on between me (like a mental voice), myself in the visualization/memory, and a representation of the person(s) who conveyed the info originally, all within the vignette. The initial thoughts I have about most things are visual anyway, so the verbal description just follows and becomes tied to certain aspects of what's imagined pictorially; and there's lots of cross-pollination, I guess - which frequently leads to involuntary recollections.

What is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?

@_@
 

Sorceress_Rin

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I sometimes have an abysmal memory and I sometimes don't. If I want to remember something desperately I have a couple of techniques. Such as If a need to remember the name of a chemical compound I try to incorporate it into a name and then make up a story about a character with that name. Also try reading what your trying to remember to a catchy tune. My favourite thing to do is if I am trying to remember some kind of scientific theory or about the effects of a virus on cellular organelles etc, then I will make up outlandish theories of how I can use this knowledge to create a weight loss drug or use it in warfare.

An important thing to remember is that the brain is a bit like a muscle; If you use certain parts of it often it becomes easier to do. As you start to memories more and more things the connections in your brain will become better and it will be easier to remember things. But likewise, if you stop using that part of your brain for a while it will be harder when you start trying to memorise things again.
 

Nick

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One thing I'd like to add, I hate having to memorize a shit-ton of facts/bullet-points for a class, which are all easily referenced in real life.

My current teacher: here's 450 pages of powerpoints, I'll ask you 100 questions based off the material, good luck.
 
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