It has been a while, since I've updated on my travails with the Dominic system of number memorization. And of all the things I would say, when a mnemonist displays such skills they look easy, the reality is they are not. They are very difficult and an awful lot of work goes into it. For example, the groundwork must be perfect, it cannot be half done, three quarters done or 90 percent. It must be fully done to 100 percent accuracy level. Further, it must be fast and confident.
It has been months and months and still I struggle on reading through O'Brien's book and practising the tests. In fact, I've stopped. I've stopped at the number system, refusing to take much more in until I've got this aspect sorted. The crazy thing is I'm getting to feel it will not be long now before I'm there. It has taken a moment of practice nearly every single day to get to this point. I have in my mind the other aspects of memory systems, like using parts of the body, using the rhyming number system, and of course the fabled method of loci which poser idiots like to call the memory palace. They are one and the same.
There are still initial moments when trying to remember the character and actions with two digits takes a moment or longer or requires a full revision of that particular number. But I'm progressing. Which makes me think perhaps there are not so many mnemonists in the world. The number could be tiny, but those persons will be remarkable in their abilities. Especially, when they are constantly using them, constantly aware of them and on the ball. They will stand out. They are not superhuman, just individuals who have spent time and effort, sunk costs into their self-improvement and have come out on top. Which is something I admire, the fight to not accept being dumb and every person should be in some way doing what they an to improve their mind.
