Moonwalking with Einstein (Book Review)
The Art and Science of Remembering Everything Paperback – February 28, 2012 by Joshua Foer
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"Moonwalking with Einstein" by Joshua Foer is an engaging exploration of the art and science of memory, woven through with the author's personal journey from journalist to U.S. Memory Champion. The title of the book refers to a mnemonic imagery technique that Foer uses to remember a sequence of playing cards, imagining Albert Einstein moonwalking with a white glove.
The book begins with Foer covering the U.S. Memory Championship as a journalist. Intrigued by the competitors, who claim their memory skills are learned and not innate, Foer decides to try improving his own memory. He delves into historical texts and connects with participants in the memory circuit, learning techniques that date back to ancient Greeks. These include the method of loci, which involves visualizing items to be remembered in specific locations within an imagined structure.
Foer's narrative is interspersed with fascinating insights into the nature of memory, including its cognitive and neurological aspects. He discusses how memory is not just a recall of the past but a hint of the future, helping us navigate what might happen next. The book details experiments and studies that reveal how our memories are not fixed but are dynamic, continually reconstructed in our minds.
Throughout his training, Foer meets with various memory experts and learns the mnemonic devices they use, such as creating vivid, unusual images and placing them in a mental memory palace. His journey culminates at the U.S. Memory Championship, where he wins the competition by memorizing decks of cards, long poems, and lists of random numbers.
Foer also examines the historical transition from "deep memory" cultures, where oral traditions were vital, to the current "external memory" culture where information is stored outside the human brain in books and computers. He argues that this shift has changed the way we think and perceive the world, making us less attentive to details and more reliant on digital devices.
The book doesn't just celebrate the feats of memory athletes but also questions the purpose and utility of memory in an age where technology can remember for us. Foer reflects on whether developing an extraordinary memory is a valuable skill in a world where information is readily accessible. However, he concludes that the discipline of training the memory has intrinsic benefits, such as improving creativity and understanding.
"Moonwalking with Einstein" is not only a chronicle of Foer's journey and an informative guide to boosting one's memory but also a thoughtful meditation on the role of memory in our lives and culture. It’s an inspirational read that makes the reader appreciate the wondrous complexities of the human brain and encourages everyone to nurture and improve their own memory capabilities.
Interested in the book? Buy on Amazon