I learned a system for remembering everything

Matt D'Avella
17 Aug 202210:49

TLDRIn this video, the host explores ways to improve memory recall by examining the reading habits of best-selling author Ryan Holiday. Holiday shares his method of reading with note-taking, which involves folding pages, making notes, and transferring key points onto note cards sorted by theme. The video emphasizes the importance of an organized system for retaining information and suggests that while digital reading is convenient, the tactile process of engaging with physical books may enhance memory retention.

Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ˜ฏ The video discusses a system for improving memory recall, particularly for information from books.
  • ๐Ÿ“š The host admits to having a poor memory for the content of the books he reads.
  • ๐Ÿง  Memory recall varies greatly among individuals, with some having exceptional or even photographic memories.
  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ Ryan Holiday, an author, is highlighted for his impressive memory recall and his method of reading and note-taking.
  • ๐Ÿ”– Holiday's method involves folding pages, making notes, and transferring key points to note cards organized by theme.
  • ๐Ÿ“ The process of note-taking is described as a way to create an 'external brain' that helps in organizing and retaining information.
  • ๐Ÿง The video suggests that taking notes while reading, revising them afterward, and categorizing them is an effective way to remember more of what you read.
  • ๐Ÿ“– The importance of heuristic memory processing in retaining information that is frequently or recently used is mentioned.
  • ๐Ÿ“š The host tests Holiday's system using his own book, 'Courage Is Calling', and finds the process slow but potentially beneficial.
  • ๐Ÿค” The video concludes that while it's not possible to remember everything, having a system to store and organize information outside the brain is crucial.
  • ๐Ÿ”— The video is sponsored by Squarespace, which is used as an example of a platform to share and organize ideas.

Q & A

  • What is the main challenge the video aims to address?

    -The video addresses the challenge of improving memory recall, specifically the ability to remember information from books effectively.

  • What is the significance of the number of books Ryan Holiday has read?

    -Ryan Holiday's reading of over 3,000 books is significant as it highlights his extensive knowledge and experience, which he uses to discuss and demonstrate effective memory techniques.

  • What method does Ryan Holiday recommend for improving memory recall from books?

    -Ryan Holiday recommends a method that involves folding pages, making notes, highlighting key points, and transferring important information onto note cards sorted by theme to create an 'external brain'.

  • How does the process of taking notes while reading contribute to memory retention according to the video?

    -Taking notes while reading helps in memory retention by engaging with the material more deeply, which aids in the sorting and prioritization of information in our explicit memory.

  • What is the role of heuristic memory processing in the system discussed in the video?

    -Heuristic memory processing plays a role in the system by helping us prioritize information that is frequently used, recently used, or needed for decision-making, thus improving the retention of important information.

  • Why does the video suggest that reading analog books might be advantageous over digital formats?

    -The video suggests that reading analog books might be advantageous because it allows for a more tactile and engaging experience, which can lead to better recall and a deeper connection with the material.

  • What is the significance of the 'exterior brain' concept mentioned in the video?

    -The 'exterior brain' concept refers to the external organization of information, such as note cards, which helps in sorting and categorizing knowledge, thereby enhancing memory recall and understanding.

  • How does the video's host, Matt, plan to implement Ryan Holiday's system?

    -Matt plans to implement Ryan's system by using highlighters, pens, post-it bookmarks, and note cards to take notes, review, and categorize information from the books he reads.

  • What is the role of Squarespace in the video?

    -Squarespace is featured as a sponsor in the video, and the host discusses how it can be used to create websites and share ideas, such as teaching people how to improve their memory.

  • What is the main takeaway from the video regarding memory and learning?

    -The main takeaway is that effective memory and learning involve a systematic approach to engaging with information, taking notes, and organizing them in a way that supports recall and application.

Outlines

00:00

๐Ÿ“š The Struggle with Memory Retention

The speaker begins by expressing their frustration with their inability to remember the content of the books they read, despite having read numerous books, blogs, and newsletters. They introduce the concept of 'superpower memory recall' and express a desire to understand how some individuals possess an exceptional ability to retain information. The video's sponsor, Squarespace, is mentioned, and the speaker poses a question to the audience about their ability to recall facts from non-fiction books they've read. The speaker then shares their own experience of trying to recall details from a book they recently read, highlighting the difficulty in remembering more than a few key points. The importance of absorbing and implementing insights from books is emphasized, and the speaker decides to investigate further into the topic by speaking with someone who has an impressive memory for books.

05:02

๐Ÿ” Uncovering the Secrets to Effective Memory

The speaker interviews Ryan Holiday, an internationally bestselling author known for his exceptional memory recall. They discuss the variability in human memory and the factors that make some people more capable of remembering information. Ryan shares his method of reading and note-taking, which involves physically marking pages, making notes, and transferring key points onto note cards sorted by theme. This process is likened to creating an 'exterior brain' that organizes the information taken from books. The speaker then decides to test Ryan's system by applying it to Ryan's own book, 'Courage Is Calling'. The process involves taking notes while reading, revisiting and revising notes after completing the book, and categorizing and filing the notes. The effectiveness of this system is attributed to how it aligns with the brain's natural sorting process for explicit memory, which prioritizes information based on usage and relevance. The speaker also touches on the potential benefits of reading in a non-digital format to enhance recall.

10:03

๐Ÿ“ˆ Embracing the Analog Approach to Memory Enhancement

The speaker reflects on their experience with Ryan's note-taking system, acknowledging that it is a slow and methodical process. They discuss the importance of not only remembering information but also enjoying the process of reading and learning. The speaker highlights the idea that reading should be a pleasurable activity and that taking the time to engage deeply with the material is more valuable than speed reading. They also mention their upcoming video about building a 'second brain' using digital systems to manage information. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to subscribe and look forward to future content on memory and learning. The speaker emphasizes the importance of starting with an imperfect system and evolving it over time, as they have done with their own note-taking method.

Mindmap

Keywords

๐Ÿ’กMemory Recall

Memory recall refers to the ability to bring back information or experiences from one's memory. In the context of the video, it is the central theme as the narrator seeks to improve their memory retention from books they read. The video explores methods to enhance this ability, as illustrated by the narrator's struggle with remembering facts from 'Steal Like An Artist' and '48 Laws of Power'.

๐Ÿ’กPhotographic Memory

Photographic memory is a term used to describe an exceptional ability to recall images or details with high precision. The video script mentions this as a rare ability some people possess, contrasting with the average person's 'messy' and 'unreliable' memory. It sets a benchmark for the level of memory retention the narrator aspires to achieve.

๐Ÿ’กRyan Holiday

Ryan Holiday is an international bestselling author mentioned in the video. He is known for his works like 'The Obstacle Is the Way' and 'Ego Is the Enemy'. In the script, he is consulted by the narrator for his exceptional memory recall skills, which he demonstrates by effortlessly pulling quotes from various books.

๐Ÿ’กNote-Taking

Note-taking is the act of recording information in written form during the process of reading or learning. The video emphasizes the importance of note-taking as a memory aid. Ryan Holiday's system, which involves highlighting, folding pages, and transferring key points to note cards, is highlighted as an effective method for retaining information.

๐Ÿ’กHeuristic Memory Processing

Heuristic memory processing is a concept that explains how our brains prioritize and retain information based on its frequency of use, recency, or relevance to decision-making. The video uses this concept to explain why certain information sticks in our memory and how a systematic approach to note-taking can enhance memory retention.

๐Ÿ’กAnalog Learning

Analog learning refers to the traditional, non-digital methods of learning, such as reading physical books and taking handwritten notes. The video suggests that there might be an advantage to this approach over digital learning methods, as it allows for a deeper engagement with the material, which can improve memory recall.

๐Ÿ’กCategorization

Categorization is the process of organizing items into groups based on common characteristics. In the video, the narrator discusses the importance of categorizing notes into themes as part of Ryan Holiday's memory system. This helps in creating an 'exterior brain' that organizes and stores information for easier retrieval.

๐Ÿ’กExplicit Memory

Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, is the type of long-term memory concerned with the recollection of facts and events. The video script discusses how our brains process and retain explicit memory, and how techniques like note-taking can aid in this process.

๐Ÿ’กSquarespace

Squarespace is a website building and hosting platform that is mentioned as a sponsor in the video. The narrator uses Squarespace as an example to demonstrate how one could create a website to share their knowledge on memory improvement, showcasing its ease of use and features.

๐Ÿ’กDigital System

A digital system refers to a collection of digital tools or applications used to manage and organize information. Towards the end of the video, the narrator hints at a future exploration of building a 'second brain' using a digital system, suggesting a shift from analog to digital methods for memory and information management.

Highlights

The possibility of developing a superpower memory recall is explored.

People with exceptional memory are able to retain vast amounts of information.

The average person struggles to remember details from books they've read.

The importance of absorbing and implementing insights from books is discussed.

Memory recall varies greatly among individuals.

Events that deviate from typical sensory experiences are easier to remember.

The author interviews Ryan Holiday, who has read over 3,000 books.

Ryan Holiday shares his memory recall techniques.

Highlighting and note-taking while reading is a suggested method for memory retention.

The process of transferring notes to note cards is explained.

Categorizing and filing notes is key to creating an 'external brain'.

Heuristic memory processing prioritizes frequently or recently used information.

The importance of reading, taking notes, studying, and using information is emphasized.

Ryan Holiday prefers analog reading methods for better memory recall.

The process of note-taking slows reading down but may improve memory retention.

The idea that reading should be a pleasurable and not rushed activity is presented.

The realization that you don't have to remember everything, just store it effectively.

The video ends with a teaser for a future video on building a second brain.