FlamingText

Mnemonic Device

  I still have a vivid memory of the last time I made a "vrooming" jet-or-spaceship sound as I was running. It was in fourth grade. We were out in the field during recess, and my friend Derek noticed me doing it and asked me why I made that sound when I ran. I stopped, suddenly self-conscious, and confessed that I didn't really know. Then he told me it made me look stupid. So I never did it again. It's too bad, because it really did help to enhance the sensation of travelling at great speeds. Still, if Derek hadn't pointed out that it looked stupid I'd probably still be doing it to this day, so I suppose I owe him a thank you. Thanks, Derek.

  It's amazing how long embarassing moments stay in memory. They're like twinkies -- they seem to have an indefinite shelf life. I still remember stupid things I did or said when I was six years old, and still cringe a little at the thought. I don't think I'm alone in this either. Considering how embarassment burns experience into memory indelibly, it's a wonder somebody hasn't fashioned a teaching method around this phenomenon -- right after the vital piece of information has been instilled, a public pantsing or wedgie would solidify the memory forever. Beats the hell out of any of those other highly suspect "perfect memory" methods I've heard about. You go ahead and try to think up apropos, memorable nicknames based on facial features, buddy -- when the bride's cousin introduces herself to me, I'll make sure I don't forget her by immediately falling backwards into the wedding cake. We'll see which of us remembers her in a year's time.

Though I suppose there's a possibility that this method could diminish in effectiveness with repetition.

  The thing that reminded me of making jet sounds while running was this story from the BBC, about a new hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered-motorbike. The bike is pretty damn cool -- runs up to 50mph, produces only water vapor as emission (said to be clean enough to be "drinkable"), runs for four continuous hours on a charge, and makes about as much noise as a home computer. This last factor is a potential problem, due to worries that other motorists might fail to notice a motorbike that runs so quietly. So the manufacturer, Intelligent Energy of Great Britain, has proposed putting an artificial "vroom" on the bike to insure that other drivers can hear it coming. Although in lieu of that, I think that making motorbike sounds with one's lips would work just as well if not better.