How I Developed A Photographic Memory

Summary

The video introduces a unique memory system called the 'Xettlecast method,' designed to enhance retention of information by aligning with the brain's natural functions. The creator shares the science behind memory and emphasizes the importance of value, relation, and repetition in cognitive psychology. The system involves writing notes on index cards, personal connections to the information, and visual representation through drawings, which significantly improves memory retention compared to digital note-taking. The method not only boosts memory but also fosters a mindset shift towards continuous learning and knowledge expansion.

Takeaways

• 🔑 The creator of the video developed a memory system to remember everything due to a realization of forgetting information from daily life.
• 🧠 Our brains are naturally good at filtering out useless information, but this system aims to remember what is deemed important rather than what is subconsciously filtered out.
• 📚 The system is based on cognitive psychology research by Dr. Sean Kane, emphasizing the importance of value, relation, and repetition in memory retention.
• 💡 Value is determined by our brain based on the usefulness of information in our lives, and strong emotions can bias our memory towards retaining certain events.
• 📈 Relating new information to oneself consciously impacts the subconscious, making the information more likely to be remembered.
• 🎨 The memory system involves writing notes on index cards, personalizing the information, and drawing a picture to aid visualization and retention.
• 📝 The 'Xettlecast' method builds on the 'Zettelkasten' method by incorporating cognitive memory research and creating a more effective memory retention technique.
• 📑 The process involves three steps: information translation, personal connection, and representation through drawing on index cards.
• 👀 The physical nature of the system allows for repeated exposure to the notes, enhancing memory through frequent revisiting of the cards.
• 🌱 The system has led to a mindset shift, creating a drive to learn more and gamifying the expansion of knowledge through the growth of the note stack.
• 🌟 The creator attributes significant personal growth and learning over the past two years entirely to this memory system.

Q & A

What was the main problem the speaker faced with their memory?

The speaker realized they were forgetting everything they learned, and nothing from their daily experiences was being remembered.

What did the speaker create to combat their memory issues?

The speaker created a memory system to remember everything, which they have been following religiously for an entire year.

According to the speaker, why do our brains not remember every detail of our lives?

Our brains have evolved to forget useless information because retaining every detail is not necessary for survival and would be overwhelming.

What are the three key factors that the speaker says our brains use to decide what information to remember?

The three key factors are value, relation, and repetition.

How does the speaker define 'value' in the context of memory?

Value is determined by the usefulness of the information in our lives, often influenced by our emotions and personal connections.

What is the significance of the 'Zettelkasten method' mentioned in the script?

The Zettelkasten method is a system of writing notes on small pieces of paper, which the speaker uses as a basis for their improved memory system.

What are the three rules of the speaker's memory system?

The three rules are simplicity, personal connection, and benefiting from human-specific memory biases.

What are the key concepts behind the speaker's memory system?

The key concepts are information, translation, and representation.

How does the speaker suggest one should write notes for their memory system?

The speaker suggests writing notes on index cards, making them personal and informal, adding a personal connection, and drawing a picture to represent the information.

What unexpected benefit did the speaker experience from their memory system?

The speaker experienced a substantial mindset shift towards new information, creating a drive to learn more and gamifying the expansion of knowledge.

How does the speaker's memory system differ from simply jotting down notes?

The speaker's system involves a more intentional and personal process, which includes writing on physical cards, adding personal connections, and drawing representations, leading to better retention.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Memory Mastery System

The speaker introduces a personal memory system developed to remember everything learned. The system is based on scientific principles of memory and has significantly enhanced the speaker's learning capabilities over the past two years. It emphasizes the importance of value relation and repetition in memory retention, explaining how our brains filter information based on its perceived value and emotional impact. The speaker also discusses the limitations of the Zettelkasten method and introduces the 'xettlecast' method, which integrates cognitive memory research to create a more effective memory retention technique.

05:02

🎨 The Art of Memorable Note-Taking

This paragraph delves into the specifics of the 'xettlecast' method, a three-step process involving writing notes on index cards with a focus on simplicity, personal connection, and visual representation. The method encourages making notes personal and informal, establishing a connection to the information, and drawing a picture to solidify the memory. The speaker shares their experience with this method, noting the stark difference in memory retention between digital note-taking and the 'xettlecast' method. The physical nature of the cards allows for repeated exposure to the information, enhancing memory retention.

10:02

🌟 The Transformative Impact of Intentional Learning

The final paragraph discusses the broader implications of the memory system on the speaker's mindset and approach to learning. The system has not only improved memory retention but also instilled a drive to continuously learn and grow. The speaker reflects on how the physical representation of knowledge through the stack of memory cards has gamified the learning process, making it a visible and motivating goal. The method has been applied to various areas of interest, including filmmaking, engineering, and channel growth, transforming the way the speaker engages with new information.

Keywords

💡Memory System

A memory system refers to a structured approach or technique designed to enhance the ability to remember information. In the video, the creator discusses developing a personal memory system that allows them to remember everything they learn without exception, which is central to the video's theme of enhancing cognitive retention.

💡Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology is the branch of psychology that studies mental processes such as learning, memory, and perception. The video references Dr. Sean Kane's research in cognitive psychology, emphasizing the importance of understanding how our brains determine the value of information and how this affects what we remember, which is integral to the proposed memory system.

💡Value Relation

Value relation in the context of the video pertains to how our brains associate the importance of information with its value to us, which is determined by its relevance and utility in our lives. The video explains that our brains are more likely to remember information that we perceive as valuable, which is a key component of the memory system being discussed.

💡Repetition

Repetition is a learning technique where information is reviewed multiple times to reinforce memory. The video script mentions repetition as a strong reason for remembering certain memories, like the recurring troll nightmare, and as a method to ensure memories remain in our minds, which ties into the effectiveness of the memory system.

💡Zettelkasten Method

The Zettelkasten method is a note-taking system used for organizing knowledge through an interconnected web of notes. In the video, it is mentioned as an inspiration for the creator's memory system but is distinguished by the addition of cognitive memory research and personalization techniques to enhance memorability.

💡Information Translation

Information translation in the video refers to the process of converting information from one's mind onto paper in a personalized and informal manner. This step is crucial in the memory system as it helps to make the information more relatable and memorable, as opposed to a detached, encyclopedic entry.

💡Personal Connection

Personal connection is the concept of relating information to one's own life and experiences. The video emphasizes the importance of this step in the memory system, as it helps the brain to recognize the importance of the information, making it more likely to be remembered.

💡Representation

Representation in the context of the video is the act of visually depicting the information through a drawing or diagram. This final step in the memory system is said to solidify the memory by transforming the abstract idea into a concrete visual that can be easily recalled.

💡Intention

Intention, as discussed in the video, refers to the deliberate act of choosing to remember information. The memory system is based on intention, meaning that the creator consciously decides what information is important enough to remember, which contrasts with subconscious filtering.

💡Mindset Shift

A mindset shift is a change in one's perspective or approach to a situation. The video describes a mindset shift that occurred as a result of using the memory system, leading to a greater drive to learn and quantify knowledge, which highlights the transformative impact of the system on the creator's approach to learning.

Highlights

The creator developed a memory system to remember everything learned, which has been instrumental in their learning process over the past two years.

The human brain is naturally adept at forgetting useless information, which is an evolutionary advantage rather than a drawback.

The importance of information is determined by its value, relation, and repetition, as explained by Dr. Sean Kane's research on cognitive psychology.

Emotion plays a significant role in memory retention, with strong emotions like fear making an event more likely to be remembered.

Relating new information to oneself is a powerful method to increase the likelihood of remembering it.

The Zettelkasten method, popularized by Nicholas Luman, involves writing interconnected notes to expand memory but lacks integration with cognitive memory research.

The Xettlecast method is an evolution of the Zettelkasten method, incorporating cognitive memory biases to enhance memory retention.

Three key concepts of the Xettlecast method are simplicity, personal connection, and benefiting from human memory biases.

The process of the Xettlecast method involves writing notes on index cards, personalizing the information, and drawing a picture to visualize the concept.

Physical note-taking, as opposed to digital, can enhance memory retention due to the tangible nature of the cards and the ease of flipping through them.

The creator's memory system has led to a significant mindset shift towards continuous learning and an increased drive to expand knowledge.

The memory system gamifies the learning process, allowing the creator to quantify the knowledge in their brain through the size of their note stack.

The creator has experienced a substantial increase in memory retention and has applied the system to various fields such as film photography, engineering, and CGI.

The system has transformed the creator's approach to learning, making it a goal in itself rather than just a means to an end.

The creator encourages others to try the memory system, believing it could have a transformative impact on how they retain information.

The video concludes with the assertion that the memory system is the most important piece the creator has shared, attributing their learning progress entirely to it.

Transcripts

last year i realized i'd forgotten

everything i was learning i mean

everything determined to remember at

least a single thing from the halfway

sentient daydream that was my covet

experience i created a system to

remember

everything

fast forward an entire year as it felt

like 2021 did automatically and i've

followed this system religiously

this video is the most important piece

i've shared so far and this technique is

really the only reason i've been able to

learn so much over the past two years

in this piece i'll explain the memory

system i've created why it works

according to science and how it enables

me to remember every single thing i

learn without exception

[Music]

when it gets right down to it our brains

work pretty flawlessly as it is our

brains could have evolved to remember

every minute detail and event that's

happened throughout our lives but there

needed to be a reason to which there

just never was creatures evolve through

life or death experiences if we remember

which mushroom will kill us

you know we have a better chance of

living if we remember what the clouds

looked like on our sixth birthday it

just doesn't give us a lot of

information just imagine if one minute

from now you remembered every little

detail in this frame every previous

frame of video you've ever seen also

99.9 of that would serve no purpose a

large part of the autistic spectrum

consists of differences in how people's

brains are unable to filter out over

stimulation through the complexities of

our world but most brains are amazing at

forgetting useless information you'll

probably understand the general concept

and point of this video we won't

remember what i said word for word in

the introduction the point of having a

photographic memory shouldn't just be to

remember every little detail of

perception but instead remember what we

deem as important not what our

subconscious

automatically filters out

this is the reason i developed this

system

part one the science

so how do our brains choose what

information to store and what to discard

well it isn't just life or death related

i'll remember for the rest of my life a

dream i had when i was five where the

animated trolls from the original hobbit

invaded my kitchen and yet that's not

increasing my chances of survival the

average layperson trying to learn

nuclear physics for the first time will

probably find it very difficult to

retain that information this is dr sean

kane explaining his research on the

cognitive psychology of learning and

memory what it shows us is two things

the first is that our brains remember

importance the second is that importance

is determined by value relation and

repetition

these three items are what all

non-physical cognitive memory research

revolves around understanding this is

critical to understanding how to create

a photographic memory for yourself value

our brains decide what is valuable based

on its use in our lives that's why as

king said learning nuclear physics is

difficult

when i was five my brain subconsciously

decided that this recurring troll

nightmare had value now why was this you

know most of the time what the case is

is that our brains have an emotion bias

if we elicit a strong emotion like pure

terror our brains treat that event as

valuable otherwise why would we have not

slept for days just because these stupid

cartoon drills won't stop entering every

single dream youtube relation more than

anything i consider myself a filmmaker i

remember lens characteristics and

lighting setups etc because all of this

information relates to me

relating information to yourself is

something that happens consciously but

still impacts your subconscious

what's powerful is that if you start

learning something new like music at

first it won't relate to anything but

soon that new information relates to

previous information in that same

category repetition now to get back to

the nightmare trolls another strong

reason why i remember these little men

is the repetition of this memory i've

thought about this memory consistently

since i was five every time i've seen

the cartoon hobbit i remember them in my

kitchen and on top of that i feel like

this is my first memory so because of

this whenever someone asks me what my

first memory is

i bring up the cold sleepless nights of

2008. repetition like this ensures any

memory can stay in your mind no matter

how bad you want those trolls to leave

part two the memory system when the

german sociologist nicholas lumen became

a professor he was asked what his main

research project would be

in these three decades he published 70

books and 400 academic articles on a

huge variety of subjects from science to

art to history to philosophy and

progressed a multitude of fields to new

heights

this german lad is important to our

story because he popularized method of

expanding your memory called the

zettelkasten method now this method

isn't at all what this video is about

but to put it simply the method consists

of writing notes on small pieces of

paper with a numbering system to be able

to link new notes to other notes

since lumen's focus was on writing books

this makes sense he said books would

write themselves and if you had 90 000

notes of various subjects all linked

together i'm sure that entire books were

just swimming around the millions of

words strung together on his desk

however the zettlecast method failed to

see a large opportunity here is where my

memory system comes in

see lumen and zedel caston both missed

out on half a century of research in

your cognitive memory that i talked

about in the first part of this piece

what i realized over a year ago was that

if you take the science behind why we

remember what we do and our memory

biases into account then a new method

can be created one that works with the

natural functions of the brain this

method is the xettlecast method taken to

a new height one that isn't just writing

interconnected notes but instead one

that makes its way back into our brain

allowing us to remember everything that

we want to and here's how it works

the three rules are simplicity personal

connection and to benefit from human

specific memory biases the three key

concepts are information

translation and representation

information goes in your head you

translate it to the real world on paper

then you represent that information in a

new way

let me explain

step one grab an index card step two

title it with what you want to remember

step three fill the card with

information about the subject make it

sound personal and very informal now

this is crucial if the card sounds like

a wikipedia article you failed

step four write your own personal

connection to the information

this is huge once your brain recognizes

what you wrote is important it just

sticks it really is amazing how well

this small step works

step five draw a picture this is the

final step to being able to remember

literally anything you write down by

drawing the subject of this note it

can't remain abstract the idea is able

to be visualized and the representation

of the information can now stay in your

brain

now this might sound simple after all it

doesn't seem to be too different from

jotting down a note like normal well i

didn't experiment to validate this over

the last year while building my

collection of siriani notes i've also

been making notes on my phone after a

year of doing this it's remarkable the

difference of what i remember from

typing a note versus doing this process

of the memory system i will literally

read a note on my phone and not even be

able to remember how it ends that's how

little of it remains in my brain

for the siriani notes on the other hand

i can't believe how much i remember

after a bit less than a year the stack

of notes has grown pretty substantially

in the past year i've read books that i

remember basically nothing from but i've

also read books i took siriani notes on

and i could literally answer

any question about it it's gotten to the

point where anything important enters my

head i immediately take a note on and so

far they've all remained in my head

memory based on intention

now last part of this video talks about

the mindset shift that comes with this

memory system but before that i

explained value in relation within the

system but i haven't talked about the

third concept which if you remember was

repetition now this is a really cool

benefit of having this whole system be

physical see the stack of the notes is

always sitting on my desk when i'm bored

i'll flip through the cards if i need to

find one i'll end up reading dozens

along the way because of how short they

are

you don't get this if the system is

digital which is why i think that cards

are the way to go the expansion of my

memory that i can't even begin to

describe has made it certain that i'm

never going back to the normal lame

version of memory but along with the

literal benefits of this year-long

experiment something else surprising

started to happen a substantial mindset

shift towards new information

this channel is about continuous

learning and expanding your awareness

what this new memory system has done for

me is created this strange drive to

learn more for the first time in my life

i can literally quantify the knowledge

in my brain which is like super trippy

to think about

the size of the stack is the amount of

intentional information i've added to my

mind the bigger the stack gets i just

get to see

how much more i'm learning and i get

more driven to grow it this memory

system has literally gamified the

expansion of knowledge which again i

just can't reiterate is like crazy my

progress within film photography

engineering and cgi isn't just measured

by deadlines and goals now now i can

measure it by stacks of memory chunks

sitting on my desk it really feels like

it makes learning the goal of a project

even before starting this youtube i've

made probably over 30 cards on

storytelling editing channel growth

thumbnails how to relate complex ideas

and so on to try and grow this channel

my goal with this system is to just keep

growing it in some ways it's changed too

over the last year i recently started

writing examples instead of connections

because i realized an example that

relates to my life could hold even more

value for how my brain interprets the

information

so to wrap things up i wasn't

exaggerating when i said that this was

the most important video i've released

the system has transformed how i retain

information and everything i'm able to

do

because of that if any of you try out or

implement this method in your own lives

let me know i'd be happy to answer any

questions uh the channel is still like

really small so i'll see every comment

um with that being said i've learned a

lot over this last year and i attribute

a hundred percent of that to this method

so give it a shot i think it could

change your life too

i'll see you next time

you