# I learned a system for remembering everything  ## Introduction - The Illusion of Superhuman Memory - The idea of having a superpower memory recall might seem fictional, but there are people in the world who possess an incredible ability to hold on to information [(00:00:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=6s). - The average person's ability to recall information from [[Non-fiction | non-fiction books]] is often poor, and remembering everything might be a stretch, but it's possible to improve this skill [(00:01:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=86s). - Research has shown that people's ability to remember things varies wildly, with some having terrible memories, others exceptional, and a few having photographic memories [(00:01:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=90s). - It's easier for people to remember events that provide a deviation from their typical sensory experience, but not so much for information learned from self-help books [(00:01:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=103s). ## Ryan Holiday's Approach to Memory and Learning - [[Ryan Holiday]], an international bestselling author, has read over 3,000 books and possesses an impressive memory recall, making him an ideal person to learn from about improving memory [(00:01:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=119s). - Holiday's secret to remembering what he reads involves being kinder to oneself and acknowledging that taking away one or two important things from a book can be life-changing [(00:03:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=190s). - The goal is not to remember everything, but to absorb and implement the insights from what is read, making the experience of reading [[Non-fiction | non-fiction books]] more valuable [(00:01:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=82s). ## A System for Remembering: The Exterior Brain - A system for remembering everything involves folding pages, making notes, and highlighting important information while reading a book, and then transferring the key points to note cards, which are sorted by theme, creating an "exterior brain" that organizes the information [(00:03:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=225s). - The system has three main parts: taking notes while reading, revisiting and revising notes after finishing the book, and categorizing and filing notes [(00:04:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=280s). ## How the Brain Processes Information - The brain processes information over time through a sorting process called heuristic memory processing, which prioritizes information that is frequently used, recently used, or likely to be needed to make decisions [(00:04:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=299s). - Having a system like this can help retain more of what is read by putting in the work of reading, taking notes, studying, and making use of the information [(00:05:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=321s). ## Benefits of Analog and Deep Engagement - Going analog, rather than using audiobooks or ebooks, can be advantageous for recall, as it allows for deeper engagement with the material [(00:05:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=333s). - The process of taking thorough notes can slow down reading, but the idea is that it will make memories and ideas more "sticky" [(00:06:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=373s). - Transferring key notes to note cards and sorting them by theme can help to organize and retain the information [(00:06:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=388s). ## The Importance of Digestion and Repurposing - A system for remembering everything involves taking the time to digest information, think critically about it, and find ways to reuse and repurpose what is learned, rather than trying to become superhuman and devouring books in a day [(00:07:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=472s). - The process of taking notes from a book and organizing them into different buckets, categories, and themes is a slow and methodical process that requires systematization [(00:08:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=530s). - It is not possible to remember everything by accident, and a system is needed to organize notes and store information outside of the brain [(00:08:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=537s). ## Building Your Own System: Imperfect Beginnings - The system used is an amalgamation of Robert Greene's and Ryan's systems, and it is recommended to create one's own spin on an existing system, whether analog or digital [(00:09:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=583s). - The importance of starting imperfectly and not being paralyzed by the hope or delusion of perfection is emphasized, as the system will continue to evolve over time [(00:09:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=595s). - The system used is currently analog, involving note cards, but it may become digital in the future, and the main thing is that it is being used consistently and improved upon [(00:10:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=610s). ## The Joy of Conversation and Slow Learning - The system allows for enjoyable conversations with authors, such as [[Ernest Hemingway]], [[Marcus Aurelius]], or [[Doris Kearns Goodwin]], and enables the user to take their time reading and learning [(00:08:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=509s). - The process of organizing notes and storing information outside of the brain is more important than trying to remember everything, and it is recommended to start with an imperfect system rather than waiting for perfection [(00:09:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=562s). ## Upcoming Video: Building a Second Brain - A new video is upcoming, which will discuss how to build a "second brain" by organizing consumed information into an intelligent digital system [(00:10:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=632s). - This system involves creating a complete ecosystem of apps to manage information [(00:10:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=639s). - The upcoming video will provide more details on this topic and is scheduled to be released in a couple of weeks [(00:10:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvey9g0VgY0&t=632s).