Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer Auxiliary Threads and Autobiographical Notes

Ive read the manual a few times and listened to the tapes a few as well. I'm still confused as to how do you hook these auxiliary threads into your web. Are you using mnemonics to hook them into the anchorman list or inner archive? How exactly do you create these autobiographical events to which we are supposed to tie the new info into the web? I need a logical process. Also, how do you take autobiographical notes exactly?
I was disapointed that there was no mind map or a logical outline for this course. It was confusing. The tapes and the book didn't correspond very well for me.

I read through the posts to see if I could find an answer and I realized a couple people had similar questions.

Auxiliary Threads are a technique for tying new information into the existing memory web. If the information is new, then there are very few or no existing threads. However, you can create a "helper thread" by creating a thread which will tie in the information to an autobiographical event. (How?) Logical---- 1. Do this 2. Do this
This autobiographical event already exisits as part of your memory web, so yes, I can see that this is confusing. You do indeed create the auxiliary thread from your existing threads, however, for the purpose of connecting new information, this is a temporary thread, used as part of Intelligent Gap Management.

Sandy,
You say these autobiographical events exist. How do we create them exactly and then how exactly are they to be tied to your web. It's still confusing.

On page 28 of the MO red book under Learning Trick #2 it reads for a new topic ".. you must PLAN which kind of Auxiliaries to use."

The next paragraph reads "On the adio sessions we talked about how to choose Auxilliaries for the first say, fifty facts, ...."

1. Does anyone know which tape this material is on?
2. Also, if you remember what is on the tape related to this subject could please write back about what those suggestions/instructions are.

This question was never answered and it is also one of my questions. Which CD? Which Track?

Thank you,
Jamal

Autobiographical events are experiences you had in your life time. It is useful for tying in ideas that relate somewhat with those experiences.

Taking autobiographical notes is simply a matter of writing what you recall about your life and your past experiences.

Auxilary threads are the pieces of knowledge you already have on a subject. You can build on those thread by adding new ideas too them by linking them with your imagination. The more creative the better.

Alex

The most important thing about creating an auxiliary thread is that it involves your personal involvement. When you do not have anything autobiographical (or very little) to tie the new information to, that is where the auxiliary comes in.

Let's say you read a piece of information that is interesting to you. Ask yourself if you want to remember it. If yes, then think of any connection or idea you may already have about the subject. If you already know quite a bit about it, then it will be easy to remember without anymore thought than consciously deciding that you want to remember. If not, that's when you need to create an auxiliary thread, also called a temporary thread. If you use a mnemonic device, that's fine. Peg lists, mnemonic devices, are short term or temporary. Whatever will work for you to tie it in now. But you need to create it yourself.

Be as creative as you can to come up with a way to tie in the new fact. (And note that the less you know about it the more creative you have to be). By doing this, you are ultimately creating a personal episode, an autobigraphical experience, that functions as a temporary thread until the new information becomes part of your memory.

Think of the tricks or techniques in the course as behaviors. They are processes that get you involved in the new subject or name or word or phrase, or whatever. It takes time and involvement, but that is the point!

Do you remember Mrs. Birkenbihl's example for names? If I ask a person I've just been introduced to what the origin is behind their name, and they tell me a story about it, I've just created a personal episode myself. An autobiographical experience. And memory is, by definition, autobiographical.

[This message has been edited by Sandy Millies (edited August 21, 2003).]

I have sort of a followup to Jamal's question...How would I create an Auxilary thread for a person's name? Would I have to make 2 seperate Auxilary's for the person first and last name? Please help

gelvecron

You could, but why not tie them together since you'd probably want to know the full name when you saw the person anyway? You will need to think even more creatively to tie the first and last name together. And the more creative you are when making an auxiliary thread the more easily you will remember later on.