A Tragically Under-Utilised & Misunderstood Memory Technique: The PAO System Explained

The PAO System is an old technique that many people mistakenly use only for memorizing numbers.
This is a shame because you can actually use it for multiple purposes.
I'll discuss some of the main ones in this video. You simply cannot afford not to understand and experiment with these hidden properties of the PAO.
For more details, watch Aristotle's Nuclear Alphabet next:
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If you enjoyed this video on memory training and mnemonic memory techniques, please help others by adding some captions.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

For even more details on the "bi-directional" aspect of the PAO System, watch this deep-dive next: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWSxY5xtaLF-qpI

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

Thank you so much! It is worth mentioning that I have had difficulty throughout my life in distinguishing different human faces. When I created my PAO system, I used very easily distinguished and differing types of faces for famous people that are easier for me to recall. I memorized the various shapes of their faces, and things that made them unusual, and included them in my number system. This way every time that I recall them, I would get a small exercise for my facial weakness. After a few years of this practice, just included in my day-to-day memory training, I can say that it has made a tremendous difference in my ability to recognize faces. My wife actually made the comment that she thinks my facial recognition has become better than hers, which blew my mind ! These methods are so versatile and nourishing to the brain, and I am more grateful for them every day! 🙏💙🧠

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

This is a fantastic outcome! Although I have had a different low-imagination situation in my life, using memory techniques has definitely made visualization much more possible and even shockingly vivid at times. I've discussed this a bit here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2G9aWuKiLCYoNk Do you think your Qigong practice has also helped?

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

It's one of those things that's hard to quantify. A practice that calms my nervous system, clears my mind, and keeps me grounded is universally helpful. Like healing my diet or getting enough sleep. Sooooo.... yes, absolutely. 😊😊 @@AnthonyMetivierMMM

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Universally helpful techniques are well worth the time!

[@billholt8792]

Ok so I am here again down MEMORY LANE,.I am working on introducing my PAO again 00-99 and revisititing Aristotles Nuclear Math video . I am attempting to Use Them In The Tonal Inflection Practicing of Myself during my self Iinduced 7 Month Mandarin Language Learning , This is my Biggest Challenge So Far I 'm off to view the next video again also Thanks for this wonerful progam now 12 months and counting!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

You're going to love using the 00-99 PAO for the tones in Mandarin!

[@billholt8792]

Yes I will I have many revamped from my original 99 I am actually doing a podcast about this subject also. Talk soon Namaste.@@AnthonyMetivierMMM

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

A great topic to cover!

[@KRmedfndllcARCwof81213]

I love this short video because it's educational and informational. Great job!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

🙏

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

This is my 2nd time watching this one. Great job Anthony teaching the PAO system. I’m getting a lot out of it. In such a Short time. Your friend/pal Bill

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks so much for checking it out and always great to hear from you. Let me know if you use the PAO System at all for any learning projects. :-)

[@Revolthell]

This is really good alongside and combos with the journey and memory palace methods. I did a quick exercise regarding the English alphabet where peoplle usually sing the nursery rhyme I imagine an Elephant Jumping Over The Yacht. Each initial is just a multiple of 5 and I can remember quickly which is the 10th or the 15th letter of the alphabet. Then with Fat Goose saying HI (6, 7, 8, 9), Kissing Large Mammals Nails (11, 12, 13, 14), Pretty Quick ReSt (16, 17, 18, 19), UV WaX (21, 22, 23, 24), with Z at the end. Loving how these memory systems synchronize with each other. Can't wait to build that 00 to 99 table map and practice these especially for languages I'm sure this will be extremely useful!

[@andypartridge800]

I read the Tricks of the Mind book by British illusionist Derren Brown, which is where I first picked up memory techniques. I saw something like the Major system (which he misnamed if I remember rightly). However, he suggested a slight change to the order of letters/numbers: 0 = S, Z (and soft C) 1 = L (looks like a lower case L) 2 = N (two downward strokes in the lower case N) 3 = M (three downward strokes in the lower case M) 4 = R (four ends in R) 5 = F, V (both sounds in the number 5) 6 = B, P (both pronounced the same way, and 6 looks like a lower case B) 7 = T, D (both pronounced the same way, and 7 looks like an upper case T) 8 = SH, CH, J 9 = G, K (both pronounced the same, and 9 looks like a lower case G) This seems more logical to me, but it doesn't really matter as long as it works I guess

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

There are many variations in different regions. What matters is that the numbers are linked to consonants, which maximizes the word choices and their relationship to a uniformity between hard word beginnings and endings.

[@wagnerbaldin8651]

I consider you as my memory guru! Thank you!!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for your kinds words. Do you have a full 00-99 PAO set up already or are you still working on one?

[@wagnerbaldin8651]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM I have a 00-99 major system, PAO still is bot challenging for while, but I'll try create one to study. I already have a memory palace prepared for a exam and I am searching for a number system to improve it. I'll be studying for a CTFL (Certified Tester Foundation Level) in Portuguese, and I believe it will helps me with the articles.

[@fredericf7135]

Great vidéo a lot of content to master this technique ... From a mmm student

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thank you as always for your kind words and ongoing support of the MMM initiative. Warm wishes for a great start to 2025 in the meantime - and beyond!

[@niniborro5984]

I love your videosss!!!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thank you for checking them out! Anything you'd like to see covered in the future?

[@skyrider828]

PAO can also be used to convert words with tri-consonant roots like Hebrew and Arabic into meaningful images

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Definitely. You could even develop 3 and 4 digit systems just for that, though for my own Biblical Hebrew memorization I stuck entirely with the alphabetical technique.

[@sketchyturtle7312]

Hey Anthony, can you make a video on how to use a memory palace. I know youve touched on it but I havent been able to use it for studying very well. If you could sort of show how to use it that would be great. I'm studying French right now and don't know how to use my memory palace for language

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

For a discussion specific to language learning, please see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaXElqKXfMpkm9U And as I mentioned before, I look forward to seeing your homework. Taking action creates understanding and the steps are simple.

[@albertzajac6158]

What do you think about adding one segment, instead PAO add song and make it PAOS system? Would it be working?

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

What does the S stand for?

[@albertzajac6158]

Stands for song

[@albertzajac6158]

So every number from 00 to 99 would have Person, Action, Number and Song.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Yes, but which song? How will you determine it? I'm all for it if you find adding an additional step useful. In my own practice, this is picked up by the Magnetic Modes which create a freer means of amplifying the PAO to the point that often just the person will do.

[@patfar392]

I bought this book ! What is the first part with the conversation with hermes etc ?

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Happy reading!

[@FFVison]

84 for Fire, I would think either Jimi Hendrix or Arthur Brown thinking about musicians right away.

[@jb1892l]

I do my tones via emotion... Down stroke is angry picture/story. Down and up is confused. Up stroke is either happy or asking questions..

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

I tried that at first, including a scheme with colors. I can see it working for some people, but using the 00-99 PAO worked best for me in the end. And still does.

[@jb1892l]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM I am extremely kinesthetic... I found a book on maths 'maths unwrapped' Mattias Ribbing (fellow memory expert)... I can now do maths by crashing rockets and climbing up and down ladders now... 🤣

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

That's great to hear!

[@productreviews24.7]

I learnt to major system from derren brown and this is an issue because it becomes difficult to get some of the higher numbers. But because I know the first 60 so we'll I find it hard to change to other systems

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

The beauty of the PAO I described here is that you don't have to change systems from the Major. You just supplement it. But it depends on what kinds of numbers you have specifically in mind. What are you memorizing?

[@productreviews24.7]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM but the major system I learned from derren brown uses different letters for each number and it makes it hard to go above 65 or so and changing to the letter system you mentioned causes confusion for example Derren brown uses L for 1 but 2 and 3 are the same so 23 is the same in both systems and 32 but 21 isn't. The system you show is better, more flexible and easier to use but the system I learned decades ago means I always default to the old system

[@productreviews24.7]

I am memorising extended bible scripture, in the original greek, BR Portuguese and English

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Now I see what you mean. In this case, I wouldn't disagree that the shift could be hard. But it's not impossible. Especially if you simply think of it as a different system. I use three memory systems interchangeably, and it wouldn't be an issue to add a fourth or even a fifth. It's just a matter of finding ways to allow the mind to divide one from the other. Hope this helps.

[@toecami]

"most human memory can hold only about seven or eight digits at a time, this is about as large a problem as you can handle without resorting to artificial memory devices, like fingers, calculators, or the mnemonics" im currently practicing mental math and it is all good but imagining numbers in my mind is so hardd. Can major or pao system can help with this?

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Yes, and other techniques will help with some of the procedures involved.

[@toecami]

May I ask how? Calculating is different from memorizing

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Several aspects of calculation involve steps. You can use mnemonics to memorize the steps.

[@Davlavi]

Sounds like a variation of the linking method only specialized for numbers.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

I'm pretty sure linking is at the core of all mnemonics. The beauty of this particular varuation is that it works for both numbers and words in a bi-directional way.

[@mattdel3389]

Can u make a video on ai Tuter’s ?

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Like this one I made a short while ago? kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5zZgJxrdrmViKM Give it a watch and let me know if you have any specific questions after seeing how I've used AI to help tutor me.

[@mattdel3389]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM yes

[@patfar392]

33 Mm magic Mike 🤣. But you’re saying that 33 in a mag system might be some Freemason at 33 degree ? C’est ça? And you add the sound ?! Mmm I like this . 15 for me is cans in Cannes I could add a rattle noisy ? 1664 is the bottle of beer seize et old Paul McCarthy in Liverpool ?

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

One is free to work these systems in many ways. I personally stick to the Major with no deviations that I'm aware of. That is useful because the Major is always there to fall back upon and get back what the number must be. For people like myself with my goals, that is very important because I sometimes use the system bi-directionally, as discussed here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWSxY5xtaLF-qpI

[@CharcoalSparks]

I just filmed my first 21 second deck using PAO

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Fantastic! Do you have any goals for getting the time down further? If so, here's to speeding up!

[@CharcoalSparks]

@AnthonyMetivierMMM Thankyou! A sub 20 has a nice ring to it, I'd like to at least get that. If I can get a sub 17 second, that would be less than 1 second per three card set which would be cool too:) I've gotta start doing some more serious training though

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

I'm confident you can do it!

[@CharcoalSparks]

@AnthonyMetivierMMM Thank you sir, I'll be going through your channel this week to see if there's anything I can use to help. I've practiced thousands of decks, but there is always more to be learned

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

If you haven't looked into it, or aren't already using it, lots of sub-20 folks are using the Shadow these days.

[@mohamed-ci7gx]

It is very similar to acromonics. Except acromonics are more advanced and magnetic by default

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Please say more!

[@mohamed-ci7gx]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM I already told you about acromonics. The pao is made up of slices of three elements person action and object. Acromonics can have ten elements at most in one sentence. Person : color + adjective+ job + animal Action : adverb + verb Object : color + adjective + job + animal So we can sum up 10 digits in one sentence.And we can imagine the "person" wearing hats in different colors representing the order of sentences. And we can convert words to acronyms in the form of sentences which makes us able to memorize text not only word by word. But also letter by letter And the sentences show colorful animals doing things as if they are humans and verbs are very general which makes the sentences very funny and weird so they are by default very close to being magnetic. And there is premade long list to memorize before using acromonics which makes it much easier because there is no need for creating person and action and objects because they are already created in that list + there is a premade technique to memorize numbers and special characters and letters of whatever language

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

What I don't understand is the acronym part. Where does that come into play?

[@mohamed-ci7gx]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM it is a mnemonics. Like Richard of york gave battle in vain. Or Roy g biv for rainbow colors. The premade list and techniques save too much time. Because instead of creating mnemonics from scratch, I already have tools to do it. For example: A1 : adaptable albatross abruptly absorb amber accountant B1: benevolent baboon benevolently balance banana yellow baker These are all acronyms for letters A and B. Example: In case of 3 letters pao is (animal+ verb + job) ABA : albatross balances accountant Or in case of 4 letters pao ( adjective + animal+ verb + job) ABBA : adaptable baboon balances accountant And I have 6 sentences like these for each letter A1 : letter A A2 : number A in hex A3 : the ä sound in German language A4 : empty until I need it The sound means I don't have to allocate a sentance for each letter and language. I just need a space for the sound and then use romanization. For example ä has the same sound as Arabic letter أ So they both use A3

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

It's very interesting, but I still don't see the acronym aspect to it. Acronomics specifically involve acronyms. Sure, I can see that ABBA is being made into an acronym, but that seems to me a different strategy. But if you're happy with what you're doing and it works, power to you!

[@MOSDEFemcees]

I can't for the life of me come up with 100 actions that are distinct enough from the rest. 100 characters and 100 objects sure but actions seem too similar

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

How long have you been trying and what specifically does it mean to put your "life" into it?

[@MOSDEFemcees]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM I've had a pao system for about three years but never use the action part of it because I find the actions get confused with other actions in my system too easily. I'll probably come up with new actions that involve other objects and maybe that will solve the problem. One image per 2 digits works well enough for my uses now but I wouldn't mind getting my actions dialed in for future memory endeavors. Great vids by the way

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Thanks for this context. As in this video, it's the specificity of the persons that helps determine the actions. That way, they can be repetitive without causing any issue. It's also the application of the Magnetic Modes that makes the biggest difference, something not covered in this video, but worth looking into.

[@mr.pickitt5426]

So true what you’re saying, Anthony. The Major system is one of the first things I learned and I use it all the time in the way you suggest here. It’s incredibly useful exactly not just for numbers, but to reinforce memory of other information, too. And so much fun to play around with.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

The reinforcement point is very true and it is great fun to think about what images the Major would suggest even if you don't wind up using them.

[@mr.pickitt5426]

@@AnthonyMetivierMMM absolutely. One of my favourite pastimes when I’m waiting somewhere is finding new people or objects with the Major method. Sometimes I find better ones than the ones I had (which makes me wonder why I didn’t think of those in the first place) and sometimes I’m just reassured that I already found the right one. 99 for instance is indelibly reserved for Wayne Gretzky. I see a 99 - and without hesitation the image of Mr. Gretzky (with all the bells and whistles) springs to my mind.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Updating them is indeed fun. Using sports figures based on their numbers is indeed something some people use to great effect. I remain a "Major Purist" though. Pope all the way for 99. ;-)

[@Lucky_McHugh_38C]

When you start out explainin this system... You get kinda confusin and a bit too complicated for my poor brain to understand. ETA Unfortunatly your explanation doesnt get any more clear by almost 12 minutes in so Im gonna stop watchin at that point and check out some of your other videos.

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

This was definitely one for my more intermediate viewers. If you’re new to memory techniques specifically for numbers, it can be helpful to start with number rhymes or the Major System. I rotate through all of them, depending on the scenario. 🙏

[@ronarnett4811]

My first thought watching this video was that if you don't have the major system or similar down pat as a reference point for the topics covered, it must be very difficult to follow. It is hard to understand any detailed discussion of how to apply a device if you aren't familiar with the device itself. However, you have chosen the correct response. Select some of Anthony's videos that cover the basics .......or better yet sign up for his free course. Maybe even buy one of his low priced books that introduce you to the basics in more detail.

[@Herlock07]

Bro do you even use X?

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

I suppose you could use it for 7 if you wanted. That's actually a good idea for expanding the system - thanks for mentioning it!