Memory Crafting in Hong Kong

 I will make a little film for the Zodiac.  I have created a really sweet and unthreatening Memory Palace with the 12 animals of the Chiense Zodiac. They work so well together and they even come with their own narrative.  And then when I looked into using the 12 animals to learn 12 special Chinese characters called 'The 12 Earthly Branches' I found out that that was the point all along. They are a mini 'alphabet' used in navigation, dates, and as components of characters. You just plonk them down into a location and hey presto, instant memory palace.  They are really attractive to my students as the Animals are associated with Lunar New Year, and LNY is associated with getting packets of money from all the adults and that's a really positive association! At the same time, I played a game with some classes this week to see if they remembered all the animals and could get them in the right order, and very few kids could. Some had a rhyme they could go through, but the...

 One aspect of training memory that I'm starting to notice consciously is aversion.  A feeling of irritation verging on anger. I notice it in myself and in my kids (the only people I feel qualified to bother and not worry about damaging the relationship).  There is something aversive about training the brain. And maybe even all learning. But certainly the transformation of information/ knowledge from one format to another.  (I think this is constructivist but I can't find a reference).  And even thinking about it.  I started leaning into the feeling. I've been listening to a bunch of Anthony Metevier videos. I get really irritated by those. (Hi Anthony, if you're reading). I don't like the way he repeats so much, nags about rules, and makes a 10 minute idea go for 45 minutes. However he does have a lot of ideas and has read all the books and tried all the things, and is (certainly seems) devoted to finding ways to teach this and share it and make is accessi...