Method of Loci
Memory: ‘tis ever been both my curse and my bane. Ha, okay, I guess there must be something good about memory, if I can remember what it is.
Today’s post is coming to you courtesy of @davidbmetcalfe, renowned creative director of the Absurdist Monthly Review, as well as a master tweeter and superb necktie picker-outer. I begged the folks in my timeline at Twitter to send a topic that might irrigate the present desert of my mind, and voila, David hits me with “Method of Loci”. He sure has a knack for the absurd, getting me to write a post about a theory of memory. Rather like asking a frog to opine on onions.
The method of loci is a mnemonic device whereby one uses locations to assist in recall. Apparently this Greek dude named somethingorother came up with it back in the day. For a more detailed discussion I refer you to the Wikipedia article. It’s definitely worth the read.
Memory as an artform or a craft that can be learned is a valuable concept, I think. I’m all for it. Now if they could just come up with an art of forgetting, I’d be set.
Ever your guy who remembers what he’d rather not and forgets what he shouldn’t,
LWIII
I love these deep studies into the correlates of some things and other things in their historical contexts and validated against others’ opinions and couleur locale from personal experience. Tom is the first and foremost among his equals on this, especially when it comes to not forgetting that he should have remembered something (or other). To make sure I would take a second look at the magazine, I used Loci’s method to put it on my machine where I should pass by again in the near future. Perhaps a note for the esteemed creative director: do not zip it for that takes out only 2% of the air and adds a nasty need for unzipping. Just link the PDF for download directly, much more reader-friendly!
Hey Ron, thanks. I know you enjoy looking into the correlations between times and contexts. And that you enjoy memory work. Have you ever used the Method of Loci? Those systems of memory have always struck me as kind of weird, remember one thing so you can remember something else. One for the price of two. But if it works, what the hey.
So zipping that PDF only saved 2%? Hmmm…maybe downloading .pdfs is anathema to some setups or something. That Absurdist magazine is real interesting, if more intellectual that I’m used to.
LWIll
If I could learn memory, could I learn to sort which memories are good for remembering and which are good for consignment to the far reaches of the Never Again Section…
I’m intrigued with this posting as have never understood why visually and emotionally i remember every minute detail and text goes out the back of my head If i lose my keys I have only to mentally retrace my steps and bingo they they were all the time hanging off the front door where they’ve been all night, by way of an invite to all ne’er do wells who may happen to travel down the length of my drive Thank Goodness for long lonely spooky driveways
As always a pleasure to read
Diagram clever too
Truly… Not Mnemonically Minded ;-/ x
Hey Truly, sounds like you’ve been using the Method of Loci naturally. That’s pretty cool. Enjoy your driveway, and thanks for the comment.
xoxo!
I love the map
I want to follow each of those branches and see where they lead ✶•*¨*•.¸¸•*¨*☼ Forgetting is easy, just don’t pick it up, step over it, and whatever you do DON’T hold it 
It does help if you keep in the front of your mind all the wonderful things that fill you with love and laughter .
Hey thanks, Luna J! Forgetting is easy? Man I wish. I sure agree about keeping in mind all the wonderful things, though, that is a great idea. Glad you like the map. It’s linked to the original site of the artist. Thank you internet!