Link Memory System

Memorizing lists through creative associations

Introduction to the Link System

The link system is a powerful memory technique that can be used to:

"Memory is ultimately based on creating associations, particularly with familiar items."

Practical Exercise: 10 Items to Memorize

We'll use the link system to remember these items in order:

Remember: The Elements Still Apply

As with all memory techniques, we'll use these key elements:

Imagination
Association
Exaggeration
Order
Sequence
Number
Substitution
Touch
Smell
Sight
Hearing
Movement
Color
Rhythm
Absurdity
Humor

Creating the Links

We'll connect each item to the next with vivid mental images:

1. Book → Lamp

Picture a giant book. Now picture yourself holding a tiny lamp that flickers violently as you walk across the pages. Feel the heat of the lamp and smell the old book pages.

2. Lamp → Chair

Imagine smashing the lamp on a chair, setting the chair on fire. Smell the smoke and feel the heat radiating from the burning chair.

3. Chair → Apple

Visualize using the chair to mash hundreds of apples. Feel the apple juice splattering on your face. See the vibrant colors and hear the squishing sounds.

4. Apple → Clock

Imagine throwing many apples at a giant town hall clock with a glass face that shatters into sparkling pieces. Hear the glass breaking and see the reflections.

5. Clock → Guitar

Picture a country singer sitting on the hand of the giant clock playing guitar. Hear the music and see the vibrating strings being plucked.

6. Guitar → Mirror

Imagine the guitar shooting a red laser beam that melts a giant mirror. See the molten glass oozing down and feel the heat radiating.

7. Mirror → Bottle

Visualize the mirror being used as a bar tray with many bottles. See the shiny reflections and smell the spilled liquids.

8. Bottle → Candle

Picture a giant bottle containing hundreds of burning candles. See the candlelight flickering and smell the melting wax.

9. Candle → Hammer

Imagine a giant hammer smashing down on hundreds of candles. See the splattered wax and smell the extinguished wicks.

Recall Exercise

Now test your memory:

  1. Start with the last item (hammer) and work backwards
  2. Write down all the items you can remember
  3. If you missed any, strengthen those associations by adding more sensory details
"If you struggled to recall all of them, then fortify some of the associations. Add more color, more exaggeration, sound, smell, etc."

How the Link System Works

This method demonstrates fundamental brain function: