In fact, as far as most psychologists and neurologists are concerned, it might not even exist at all. But while the idea of photographic memory is widespread in popular culture, the scientific reality of the phenomenon is rather different from how it is commonly depicted. Throughout history, many people have claimed to have this extraordinary gift – typically in the form of being able to instantly memorize large volumes of text – from scientists Nikola Tesla and John von Neumann to writer Truman Capote to Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos and even Mister T.
The case of Solomon Shereshevsky is one of the most famous and oft-cited examples of what is commonly known as photographic or eidetic memory – the ability to retain information as clearly and accurately as taking a photograph.
“I simply had to admit that the capacity of his memory had no distinct limits. In The Mind of a Mnemonist, his classic 1968 case study on Shereshevsky, Luria wrote: Even more astonishing, he seemed able to retain this information in perpetuity years later he could still recite the strings of numbers Luria had given him – forwards and backwards. Whatever Luria threw at him – long strings or matrices of numbers, lengthy speeches, and even poems in foreign languages he neither read nor spoke, Shereshevsky was able to memorize with perfect accuracy in mere minutes.
#Photographic memory vs eidetic series#
Over the next 15 years, Luria would subject Shereshevsky – identified in his writings only as “S” – to a series of increasingly elaborate memory tasks, all of which his subject defeated with almost supernatural ease. Several days later, Shereshevsky duly presented himself at the Academy of Communist Education, where he was introduced to up-and-coming neurologist Alexander Luria. Astonished and sensing a good story, the editor suggested Shereshevsky have his memory scientific ally measured. Then, before the editor could argue, Shereshevsky proceeded to recite the entire meeting down to the last detail. The editor pulled the reporter aside to question him, only for the man, one Solomon Shereshevsky, to reveal that he never took notes because he had a perfect memory. The people with the best memory are often trusted with valuable and important information and are given high positions.One day in April 1929, a Moscow newspaper editor was handing out assignments when he noticed that one of his reporters wasn’t taking any notes. Developing this skill can benefit you for your whole life and cause you to excel well beyond your peers. To improve the memory to the point of possessing an eidetic memory is a considerable feat, but merely requires time and devotion, like any other endeavor. It is to be hoped that the internet will provide outlets for people who really want to learn important information.
It is sad to see how our educational system spends so much time on so many useless subjects which have no benefit in the real world. In lists, you can immediately recall which item corresponds to which number based on the room you put it in in your mind.įebruary 6, people do not focus on these skills in school. You assign each bit of essential information to a room which you associate with a number. Basically, what it comes down to is a tying of memories to given familiar locations in your mind, from past homes or past locations with familiar architecture. Depending on how detailed your method of loci is, you can recall varying levels of detail. I have found the loci method to be a very helpful way to recall information for a long period of time. People were once able to memorize long speeches using this. My whole life, people and my family have been in awe of my memory.įebruary 9, have heard that the expression "in the first place.in the second place." comes from this ancient method. It wasn't until years later working in special education with students 15-21 and how we were teaching them that I finally figured out algebra in class with my student in one class. I was never a good student felt lost in the class with so many students and the one basic way of teaching. I have been able to remember using and visualizing events and memories from as young as 3.
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