The Link Method of Immortal Memories
The simplest way to remember forever
“…(ideas) are linked one to the other like dancers hand in hand, and there can be no mistake since each item is connected to the previous, no trouble being required except the preliminary labour of committing the various points to memory.”
— Quintillian, Institutio Oratoria, 11
The Link Method of memorization has major advantages — it’s incredibly easy to use, can be explained quickly, and requires almost no prep. It’s a great way to mentally store information for a lifetime. Think about this technique as creating solid metal memory chains wrapped unbreakably around each other.
It was the first mnemoic device I learned in college, and a semester later I’d gone from struggling to pass tests to the dean’s list. If you only learn one memory technique, this is probably the one you want.
Its major downside is that it’s less flexible than more complicated techniques. For instance, you can only retrieve information in the order you’ve laid down each “link” of your “memory chain.” If you forget one link you’ll probably be unable to retrieve whatever follows. I won’t be covering numbers here, but the link method is great for ideas, even abstract ones.
The method is ancient — Cicero and Quintilian described it in antiquity in their books, but didn’t consider it a distinct technique. They saw it as a way of arranging information inside a memory palace (Method of Loci).
Hugh of St. Victor and Giordano Bruno embellished the technique in the following centuries, realizing they could embed additional meanings and nuance into each link through metaphor and symbolism, expanding the storage capacity of each link.
Modern memory contest competitors still use the link method, but average people who simply want to remember what’s important to them have the most to gain.
Some of the things you might consider memorizing:
A chain of techniques for finding calm, tranquility, and perspective when life is hard. Apply one after the other to your circumstances and find peace.
A chain of lenses representing known aspects of human psychology, cognitive bias, and economics, which you can use to better understand business, politics, and social dynamics.
Chains of philosophical theory/ideas.
Historical information that brings context to your present.
Chains full of information you find fun or interesting but that have no practical value.
Chances are you find something worthwhile. And what’s worthwhile should probably be remembered. This is a crash course to help you do it.