For my second applied project I choose to dive into the memory champion. Upon doing my own discovery of memory champion I did a quick google search to find exactly what his “project” all entailed. According to Wikipedia the World Memory Championships is an organization of memory sports. What are memory sports? Memory sports is when an individual memorizes as much information as possible within a specific time frame. The sport of Memory Champion has taken place since 1991 and was founded by Tony Buzan, and co founded by Ray Keene. In short, the World Championships consist of 10 different disciplines. With the 10 disciplines competitors are asked to memorize as much as they. Some examples the competitors are asked to memorize are, 5- minutes worth of given numbers, one hours worth of playing cards and 5 minutes of historic dates (2021). Before I started my journey of this applied project, I brainstormed some end goals I hoped to accomplish once I completed the desired time frame and objective of this applied project. It is important to note that I do not have the worst memory, but my memory could always use some work especially when it comes to my academics.
Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going. — Tennessee Williams
Before getting to the point of this project I wanted to note that as I was researching things regarding various memory champions I came across this quote. This quote truly resonated with me and goes greatly with this applied project in regards to speaking and learning about various ways to better recall things, like memories. I believe William’s words are said beautifully and with a lot of truth. Life seems to speed up quicker each day and it is important to appreciate everyday and all the memories that are associated with each day, whether it be a good day, or bad day.
I would like to start this write up on a good note and list some of my strengths I have when It comes to memory. One weird thing I can recall so well is people’s licenses plates on their car. This is something many people do not pay attention too but for some reason I have always been able to recall the letters and numbers of people I know and sometimes even people I do not know but may see on the road various times. I believe I can recall the people I do not know because usually were on the same “driving pattern.” For example, throughout the week I go to school at the same time every day and on my way, I always meet this same black truck, and because I see it every day, I can recall the numbers and letters so easily. I found an interesting study on New York Times regarding peoples recollection of license plates. A study found that people are more unlikely to remember a complete plate, but instead can recall either the set of numbers or letters (Wollan, 2019). of strength I have when it comes to memory is remembering peoples name. Many people need to see a person to recall a name if they are unfamiliar with them, but I have always been quick at grasping peoples name the first time I meet them.
Like most things, with strength also comes weaknesses. Some weaknesses I have regarding memory is the ability to recall dates for events or birthdays. I am awful at remembering people’s birthdays, I can recall the month sometimes, but recalling the exact day is a weakness I have. Because I have a hard time recalling birth dates that also leads to me having a hard time recalling peoples age. Many time I try to guestimate a persons age based on appearance but more times then not that leaves me to be wrong. I am often guessed to be way older then I actually am hence why I try to not even guestimate peoples age anymore if I am unware which happens more times then not. I also struggle remembering dates of events. For example, I can recall that I have my cousin’s birthday party at the end of May, but I do not recall the exact date without looking back at my calendar.
So, regarding the memory champion project I put my strengths and weaknesses to the test by using an online game. The game was called “tricky cups” and the idea was simple but the game itself was challenging. With this game there were many cups presented and under the cup’s coins were placed, and the cups and coins then would move around. As you successfully recalled what cups had the coins underneath the levels would continually get harder until you unsuccessfully chose the cup or cups with no coin’s underneath.
Now onto how I utilized this game regarding the memory champion. I played the game tricky cups once a week for three weeks, but each time I played I choose to do it on a different day of the week and at a different time to see if that would change my outcomes. One week one I completed the game on a Monday after shortly waking up, I slept for 8 ½ hours and was only able to make it to level 4. On the second week I completed the game on a Thursday afternoon after a long day of classes and work, to my surprise I was able to make it too level 7. I believe I was surprised that I made such a significant jump in levels even after being exhausted from a full day of school and working. I found a study that looked across stress induced exhaustion and found many interesting things. This study found a clear explanation regarding cognitive impairments and stress-related exhaustion (I.H. Jonsdottir et al., 2012). The third and finally week I completed he game on a Sunday afternoon after only getting about 6 hours of sleep, and shockingly I made it too level 8. As I reflected over the 3 weeks, I was not surprised that during my first week I did not make it very far as I was just getting familiar with how the game worked. After my last attempt on week three I was shocked I was only able to make it one level up from the previous week, but I think the lack of sleep and poor attention span was an indicator for not being able to make it more then a one level increase. According to a research article I have found, the effect of sleep and memory consolidation has received growing attention. This study examined how memory is enhanced when sleep is followed after hours of learning. It was also noted that sleep deprivation had a significant effect on memory. The study provided further evidence that memory consolidation in the declarative memory benefits sleep. Another important thing to note is that these findings are independent of time of day and not due to acute fatigue (Gais et al., 1970).
World memory Championships. (2021, January 16). Retrieved March 19, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Memory_Championships#:~:text=The%20World%20Memory%20Championships%20is,with%20the%20exception%20of%201992.
Wollan, Text Malia. “How to Remember a License Plate.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 2 July 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/07/02/magazine/how-to-remember-a-license-plate.html?auth=link-dismiss-google1tap.
Gais, S., Lucas, B., & Born, J. (1970, January 01). Sleep after learning aids memory recall. Retrieved March 22, 2021, from http://learnmem.cshlp.org/content/13/3/259.full#cited-by
I. H. Jonsdottir, A. Nordlund, S. Ellbin, T. Ljung, K. Glise, P. Währborg & A. Wallin (2013) Cognitive impairment in patients with stress-related exhaustion, Stress, 16:2, 181–190, DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2012.708950
