Memory Genius

Most spaced-repetition flashcard systems force you into a question and answer format. Some even recommend you break up your complex memories into dozens of tiny atomic fragments so you can test each individually.

This is the wrong thing to do.

Our strongest memories have many associations and are accessible from multiple angles. Memory Genius is a flexible and powerful spaced-repetition memory system which allows you to build such complex memories naturally. A memory in Memory Genius can have any number of associations, defined using simple cloze-deletion format. For example:

-----
In a channel, the flow rate is [equivalent at any two points]. This principle is described by [the continuity equation]:

[Q = v1.A1 = v2.A2]

where

[Q = flow rate] in [m^3/s]
[v = fluid velocity] in [m/s]
[A = cross-section area] in [m^2/s]
-----

This memory chunk consists of nine associations. Traditional flashcards would recommend you create nine flashcards, carving up your memory into isolated factoids with no connections between each other. Bad idea! Memory Genius allows you to keep your memories whole and add context to each, without sacrificing testability. This is a powerful mechanism.

Memory Genius presents each memory with all the answers hidden. Each time you tap, the one additional answer is revealed. You must answer them all correctly to score for that 'card'. This multi-step quiz is perfect for information that is difficult to capture in traditional flashcard systems, such as:

- lists
- poetry
- song lyrics
- music in general
- series of events
- procedures
- reasoning
- memory palaces
- anagrams and other mnemonics

We have also found that this method makes even simple memories more memorable. For example,

"Mum was born on the [12th of September, 1948]."

is easier to remember as a whole chunk than the challenge-response:

Q: Mum's DOB?
A: 12 Sep, 1948.

In addition to this powerful multi-step testing, Memory Genius allows you to organise your memories into a concept map. You can test all your memories or any subtree of your concept map as you wish. The mere act of organising your memories will also help you strengthen your understanding.

The concept map was the initial motivation for developing Memory Genius. Most other software uses tags, which soon become unmanageable. Trust me, my memory database has ballooned to 19,000 memories. The only way I was able to manage my memory was to write Memory Genius!