In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I mention the Peg System as an alternative to the Method of Loci and the Memory Palace method.
Do you really need an alternative?
Probably not, but giving you options is so central to what we do here on the site and the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
So here's a brief rundown of what a Peg System is and when you might want to use one.
The Peg System is just what it sounds like: the exercise of "pegging" (or linking) one thing to another. It assumes that you know the first thing, so it's just a matter of Magnetically connecting the next in your mind.
I'm going to be giving some examples of how this works, and I want you to follow along. But here's an important caveat:
Following my examples or the examples of any mnemonist is not the best way to learn memory techniques. As you read, treat these examples and demonstrations only. Immediately create your own images in your mind.
Only in this way will you be accomplishing two things:
1. Learning the link system 2. Exercising your imagination
Let's get started.
How To Hang Information On A Number
Have a read through the following list of rhymes:
1 is a gun
2 is a shoe
3 is a bee
4 is a door
5 is a hive
6 is a stick
7 is heaven
8 is a gate
9 is a line
10 is Ben
11 is heaven
12 is a shelf
Etc. …
What On Earth Is This All About?
It's about hanging one piece of information in the other. In this case, you are hanging a rhymed word onto something you already know and will probably never forget (the numbers 1-12). You're associating them.
There are some problems with the rhymes I just gave you, however.
Here's the major issue:
Although all of the items that rhyme with the numbers (something that is in and of itself part of creating memorability), not all of the words I've given you are directly visible.
For example, what does heaven look like? Clouds? Angel wings? Fields of grass as shown in Gladiator as Maximus makes his way to Elysium?
Who can say?
And that lack of specificity can be a problem.
But not usually if you know your system and always use it … religiously.
Here is why:
What we're going to do with these rhymes is use them to memorize more information.
For example, let's say that you're going to an important business meeting and you'll be meeting twelve new people.
The 11th person you meet is named Ralph.
How are you going to associate Ralph with 11? Well, you could see him floating on a cloud (heaven).
Or you could see him with angel wings bursting from his back (heaven).
Or you could see him on the roof of the Sistine Chapel flirting with God's finger (heaven).
The important thing is to be consistent.
And include wild, exaggerated action in a visual way. It's great if you can make it absurd too. So instead of seeing wings bursting from Ralph's back, you could have them bursting from his chest, perhaps even poking through the "Ralph" nametag on this chest.
A Concrete Alternative
Personally, I never use "heaven" for 11 the rare times I use the Peg System. It's too abstract and vague and there are too many possibilities. I use my friend "Evan." I've known him for years and can see what he looks like in my mind (he's almost always got a goofy smile). And if I were to meet a guy named Ralph and wanted to memorize him as part of a list of names, I would have him interacting with this new dude Ralph in a weird and interesting way.
Or better yet, I might include some other Ralph I already know to "peg" Ralph even deeper into the connective tissue of my mind.
For example, Ralph Mac
Published on 11 years, 1 month ago
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