http://headinside.blogspot.com/ Train and Strain Your Brain to Entertain en-us Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:20:00 -0700 hourly 1 2009-07-02T09:20:00-07:00 To take full advantage of this feed, use an RSS or Atom feed reader. Find one for your system at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_news_aggregators http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/07/grey-matters-new-look-part-iia.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/07/grey-matters-new-look-part-iia.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:20:00 -0700 No, Grey Matters' new look is not just for the blog and the video blog. The rest of the site is going to be resdesigned in accordance with the new look. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/memory-binder-iphoneipod-touch-version.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/memory-binder-iphoneipod-touch-version.html Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:20:00 -0700 After I wrote in my iPhone/iPod Touch Amazement post about QuickCal as a reference, it began occurring to me that the iPhone/iPod Touch could replace the memory binder. This could not only make everything far more portable, but can also add a nice touch to the presention itself. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/grey-matters-new-look.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/grey-matters-new-look.html Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:20:00 -0700 Remember my mention in the previous post of one more additional update? This new look is it! Several visitors have already e-mailed me and commented that it looks more professional than the previous design. It's not just a new look, though. There are several new features, as well. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/updates-all-around.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/updates-all-around.html Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:30:00 -0700 It's the first day of summer, so it's time to get some updates done that I've been meaning to add to Grey Matters. It all begins with the Read More... link below, which is itself an update to this site. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/yet-still-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/yet-still-more-quick-snippets.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:10:00 -0700 This edition of snippets focuses on mental math. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-than-2000-timed-quizzes.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-than-2000-timed-quizzes.html Sun, 14 Jun 2009 10:20:00 -0700 Last week, the number of quizzes in my How Many Xs Can You Name In Y Minutes? post quietly reached past the 2,000 mark! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/iphone-and-ipod-amazement.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/iphone-and-ipod-amazement.html Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:15:00 -0700 If you hadn't noticed yet, there are already a good selection of iPhone- and iPod Touch-based magic effects. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/timed-quiz-generator-video-tutorial.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/timed-quiz-generator-video-tutorial.html Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:30:00 -0700 For a long time, I've wanted to create a video tutorial about it, and thanks to my recent purchase of iShowU HD, I've finally been able to do just that! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/binary-math-logic-gates-101.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/06/binary-math-logic-gates-101.html Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:10:00 -0700 You've probably heard that all computers really understand is 1s and 0s. But how are those 1s and 0s made so useful? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/16-year-old-solves-300-year-old-puzzle.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/16-year-old-solves-300-year-old-puzzle.html Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 -0700 All this week, the news has been sent around the world about a 16-year-old Iraqi-born teen, currently living in Sweden, who solved a 300-year-old math puzzle. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/visit-to-square.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/visit-to-square.html Thu, 28 May 2009 19:00:00 -0700 It seems like too long to me since I last discussed magic squares, and it seems like magic square resources have been jumping out at me recently, so it seems to be the right time. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/iphone-flashcard-apps.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/iphone-flashcard-apps.html Sun, 24 May 2009 23:00:00 -0700 The idea is already starting to spread, and now you have a wider choice of iPhone flashcard programs! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/more-free-tricks-from-leo-boudreau.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/more-free-tricks-from-leo-boudreau.html Thu, 21 May 2009 21:15:00 -0700 Over at the Magic Cafe, Leo has recently posted some more of his incredible work, and for free! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/thoughts-that-transcend-time.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/thoughts-that-transcend-time.html Sun, 17 May 2009 08:00:00 -0700 If it's true that many classic poems are treasures, then I've just discovered an entire treasure trove about which I formerly knew nothing! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/still-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/still-more-quick-snippets.html Thu, 14 May 2009 11:30:00 -0700 In this edition of snippets, we're going to fold, spindle and mutilate your brains in as many fun ways as possible! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/happy-mothers-day.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/happy-mothers-day.html Sun, 10 May 2009 21:35:00 -0700 Today being Mother's Day, I've spent more time making my mom's day special, but I would like to share with Grey Matters readers one of the things I did for her. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/ilife-09-and-iwork-09-memorization.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/ilife-09-and-iwork-09-memorization.html Thu, 07 May 2009 07:35:00 -0700 You've probably heard plenty about Apple's iLife and iWork software suites, so this won't be another review of those products. Instead, I'm going to talk about a different use for them, that of memorization tools. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/numb3rs-100th-episode.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/05/numb3rs-100th-episode.html Sun, 03 May 2009 11:20:00 -0700 7,636 Missing Persons, 2,260 Murders, 6 Unsolved Serial Killings, 100 Episodes - that's the tag that opened Numb3rs' 100th episode, which just aired this past Friday. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/another-calendar-feat-approach.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/another-calendar-feat-approach.html Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:40:00 -0700 One of the more popular features of this site is the Day of the Week For Any Date tutorial. While this is my favorite method, I'm not averse to other effective approaches. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/more-free-flashcard-sites.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/more-free-flashcard-sites.html Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:45:00 -0700 Good news, flashcard fans – more sites are ready and willing to help you learn for free! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/even-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/even-more-quick-snippets.html Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:00:00 -0700 It's time again for some quick snippets, and this time, the theme is memory videos! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/free-study-tips-12-things-i-wish-my.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/free-study-tips-12-things-i-wish-my.html Sun, 19 Apr 2009 08:40:00 -0700 Did you ever wonder if there was a way for the average student to improve their learning abilities? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-ideas-for-memory-binder-part-iv.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-ideas-for-memory-binder-part-iv.html Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:15:00 -0700 Now that we've covered poems, magic effects with the poems, and assorted lists, what else can we put in the Memory Binder? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-ideas-for-memory-binder-part-iii.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-ideas-for-memory-binder-part-iii.html Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:15:00 -0700 Yes, I still have more ideas to share about the Memory Binder. Unlike Part I and Part II of this series, this entry won't deal with the poetry section. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-ideas-for-memory-binder-part-ii.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-ideas-for-memory-binder-part-ii.html Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700 With the previous post about poems in the Memory Binder, I've only started to scratch the surface of the possibilities of this great tool. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-ideas-for-memory-binder-part-i.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-ideas-for-memory-binder-part-i.html Sun, 05 Apr 2009 09:45:00 -0700 I first mentioned the Memory Binder last November, but only mentioned 2 ideas with it. It's time to explore some other ideas with this great tool. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/scam-school.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/04/scam-school.html Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:05:00 -0700 Wait . . . Scam School?!? Isn't this blog about improving your mind in fun ways? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/states-of-puzzlement.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/states-of-puzzlement.html Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:00:00 -0700 Have you been practicing the states since I discussed it in my posts titled The States and The States Mis-Stated? I hope so, because today we're going to put you to the test! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/math-games.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/math-games.html Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:45:00 -0700 It's time to wake up your brain with a little math! Don't worry, in this task that must be done, there is an element of fun. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/fun-and-free-and-nostalgic-learning.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/fun-and-free-and-nostalgic-learning.html Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:30:00 -0700 Did you ever wonder about the source of my conviction that learning should be fun? I've been surrounded by the concept since I was very young. I'd like to share many of the books and programs that are responsible for this. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/lie-to-me.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/lie-to-me.html Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:21:00 -0700 If you have more than 50 posts on the Magic Cafe, and you enjoyed last year's Free tricks from Leo Boudreau post, you'll be glad to know that Leo Boudreau has just posted another great original free effect! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/grey-matters-4th-blogiversary.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/grey-matters-4th-blogiversary.html Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:59:26 -0700 This post is a day earlier than usual. Why? It's Pi Day, which also means it's Grey Matters Blogiversary! It was 4 years ago today that I started Grey Matters. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-quick-snippets.html Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:00:00 -0700 Yes, it's time for the March edition of Quick Snippets! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/mental-math-tricks-ii.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/mental-math-tricks-ii.html Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:20:00 -0700 In January 2008, I offered several links to mental math tricks. I've gathered a few more over the past months, and I thought it was time to share them with you. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/sylvester-meets-investor.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/sylvester-meets-investor.html Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:30:00 -0800 In keeping with the theme of money from my previous post, and the overall theme of this blog of having fun while learning, I'm going to post some fun educational cartoons from the 1950s that are about money and capitalism, which have only recently become available on YouTube (since my previous post, as a matter of fact). http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/mental-math-and-money.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/mental-math-and-money.html Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 -0800 With the economy in the condition it's in, knowing about money will come in handy more and more. Here are a few quick mental math tricks that can help you get a better overall idea of some financial questions. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-mental-gym-layout.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-mental-gym-layout.html Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:20:00 -0800 I'd like to ask for your opinions on a potential new feature I'm considering adding to the Mental Gym. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-yo-re-mo.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-yo-re-mo.html Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:59:00 -0800 First, I taught the Knight's Tour. Next, I linked to Troyis. Now, there's a new Knight's move-based game out there! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/quick-snippets.html Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:20:00 -0800 It's time to update some of my older columns, and share some new treasures with you in the process! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/sporcles-1000th-quiz.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/sporcles-1000th-quiz.html Sun, 15 Feb 2009 11:50:00 -0800 It was only 2 months ago that my list of timed quizzes, How Many Xs Can You Name In Y Minutes?, which covers various sites from all around the web, reached a total of 1,000 quizzes. As of earlier today, you can now find 1,000 quizzes on Sporcle alone! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/review-keep-your-word.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/review-keep-your-word.html Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:55:00 -0800 BambooApps has released a new vocabulary cataloging and flashcard program called Keep Your Word, available for Mac OS X. This flash card program is specifically oriented towards learning vocabulary, so instead of being a general purpose flashcard program, such as Mental Case or Ebbinghaus, it's closer to a program like ProVoc (no longer actively developed). http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/secret-notebooks-of-mr-hyde-volume-2.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/secret-notebooks-of-mr-hyde-volume-2.html Sun, 08 Feb 2009 10:10:00 -0800 Thankfully, Timothy Hyde has recently released a thorough 50-page treatise on this routine, called The Secret Notebooks of Mr. Hyde Volume 2: Magazine Memory (Also available as a PDF at Lybrary.com). This book covers everything starting from the technique, into the presentation, and on up to the proper psychology (the way the audience sees and experiences it) of the feat itself! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/chris-wasshubers-knights-tour.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/chris-wasshubers-knights-tour.html Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:00:00 -0800 Chris Wasshuber's ebook on the classic Knight's Tour is back up at Lybrary.com! Apparently, this was originally available for $10,000, but the booklet, titled Knight's Tour: With Free Choice of Start and End, has come down quite a ways in price, to only $25. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/super-bowl-quizzes.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/02/super-bowl-quizzes.html Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:40:00 -0800 Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers on their Super Bowl XLIII win! Now that you've enjoyed other people challenging themselves in the Super Bowl, why not use the Super Bowl to challenge yourself? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/150-digits-of-pi-quiz.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/150-digits-of-pi-quiz.html Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:45:00 -0800 Sporcle has gone and done it! They've taken my well known love of timed quizzes and my love of all things Pi and combined them. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-calendar-fun.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-calendar-fun.html Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:10:00 -0800 This Sunday, we're going to push your mental skills with the calendar again, but in a different way! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/gilbreath-principle.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/gilbreath-principle.html Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:15:00 -0800 One of my most embarrassing moments in my life concerns a time I was teaching a trick based on the Gilbreath Principles. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/day-for-any-date-in-2009.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/day-for-any-date-in-2009.html Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:20:00 -0800 As we get 2009 going, it seems like a good time to challenge your brain with the calendar. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/free-goodies-from-made-to-stick.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/free-goodies-from-made-to-stick.html Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:50:00 -0800 The authors, Chip and Dan Heath, have made several free goodies available that will help make just about anything more memorable, including 3 PDFs and 2 podcasts! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/online-visions-new-issue.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/online-visions-new-issue.html Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:25:00 -0800 Online Visions has just posted their newest issue, and the In Your Hands section is sure to interest Grey Matters this time around! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/mental-division-with-decimal-precision.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/mental-division-with-decimal-precision.html Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:15:00 -0800 This piece is all about dividing a 2-, 3- or 4-digit number by a 1 digit number, and doing so with decimal precision. When presented, it comes across as much harder than it really is. With a little practice, you can have a very impressive feat under your belt that's ready at a moment's notice. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/yet-again-still-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/yet-again-still-more-quick-snippets.html Sun, 04 Jan 2009 09:10:00 -0800 It's a new year, so I'm using this snippets entry to bring you up to date on various "Grey Matters". http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-free-martin-gardner-goodies.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-free-martin-gardner-goodies.html Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:45:00 -0800 If you enjoyed my recent post about the Martin Gardner documentary, here's some more free Martin Gardner treats! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/washington-crossing-delaware.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/washington-crossing-delaware.html Sun, 28 Dec 2008 08:00:00 -0800 Mental Floss recently listed 9 other things that happened on December 25th, including Washington's crossing of the Delaware. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/grey-matters-internet-tv.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/grey-matters-internet-tv.html Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:50:00 -0800 Grey Matters now has an internet TV channel available on Miro! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/martin-gardner-documentary.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/martin-gardner-documentary.html Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:30:00 -0800 Today's entry is going to be short, but a treat nonetheless. Because I talk about mathematic, memory and fun, it's only natural that Martin Gardner should be the only person who has his own category at Grey Matters. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/more-articles-from-googles-magazine.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/more-articles-from-googles-magazine.html Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:45:00 -0800 In my last post, I mentioned just a few ads and articles from Google Books' new magazine archives. As promised, I've been looking around more, and found more interesting tidbits. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/free-magazine-archives-from-google.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/free-magazine-archives-from-google.html Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:15:00 -0800 Google books has just taken a step beyond books by making complete magazine archives available! Below is a list I've put together by searching the site and getting links from others. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/more-than-1000-timed-quizzes.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/more-than-1000-timed-quizzes.html Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:30:00 -0800 Challenging your own knowledge with timed quizzes is proving more and more popular. As of Saturday, Dec. 6, my How Many Xs Can You Name In Y Minutes? post now features over 1,000 different timed quizzes! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/feed-sources-are-being-moved.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/feed-sources-are-being-moved.html Sat, 06 Dec 2008 13:00:00 -0800 If you're using anything that involves any feeds from Grey Matters, click on this link to learn how to update to the new feed information! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/jill-price-woman-who-cant-forget.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/12/jill-price-woman-who-cant-forget.html Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:20:00 -0800 You probably first heard about her back in 2006, in the news story Woman With Perfect Memory Baffles Scientists, where she was known only as "AJ". Back in May of this year, she revealed that her real name is... http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/free-online-memory-course-videos.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/free-online-memory-course-videos.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:30:00 -0800 Memory courses taught in books have been around for a long time. However, with internet video becoming a more accessible medium, you're able to find more memory videos as a result. Since so much of memory technique involves visualization, a visual way of teaching the techniques is a great advantage. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/chandlers-thanksgiving-challenge.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/chandlers-thanksgiving-challenge.html Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0800 To those of you in the US, Happy Thanksgiving! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/revisiting-old-friends.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/revisiting-old-friends.html Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0800 From time to time, I like to go back through sites I've visited before, and see what they have to offer now. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/memory-feat-props-ii.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/memory-feat-props-ii.html Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:30:00 -0800 for informal performances, even an 8.5" by 11" binder can be a bit much to carry around. A much better way to pack needed information in a small area is a paper organizer, popularly referred to as a Hipster PDA. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/memory-feat-props.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/memory-feat-props.html Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:20:00 -0800 Instead of focusing on memory feats, as I often do, this post is going to focus on creating your own props for use in memory feats. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/yet-still-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/yet-still-more-quick-snippets.html Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:00:00 -0800 It's time once again for snippets! BTW, if you've ever wondered what possessed me to use Snippets as a name for these brief entries, I was largely inspired by a series of PSAs that ran in the 1970s, called Snipets. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/learning-japanese-i-really-think-so.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/learning-japanese-i-really-think-so.html Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:05:00 -0800 Even when you're confident with memory techniques, and even applying them to learning a new language, starting to learn a language as different as Japanese can seem intimidating. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/free-memory-tools-from-nasa.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/free-memory-tools-from-nasa.html Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:30:00 -0800 You may not know it, but NASA has what they call a "Human Systems Integration Division" (a what?!?). In short, this division deals both with improving human performance, and how human interact with computers. The aspect of this division that caught my eye, of course, was the memory section! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/mac-comes-to-stackview.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/mac-comes-to-stackview.html Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:30:00 -0700 No, I don't have the headline backwards. StackView is still only available as a Windows program, but recent developments have actually made it easier and better for Macs to run StackView! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/short-entry-today.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/short-entry-today.html Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:45:00 -0700 Today is just a short entry, as I've been spending my time working an upcoming puzzle for Scott's Puzzles. If you'd like to be ready when it's posted early Wednesday morning: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/still-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/still-more-quick-snippets.html Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:30:00 -0700 This edition of snippets is dedicated to the humble deck of playing cards! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/more-divisibility-by-7.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/more-divisibility-by-7.html Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:40:00 -0700 With so many magicians interested in mathematical magic, it's not surprising that so many magicians have developed so many original mathematical principles. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/symbol-pattern-square-i.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/symbol-pattern-square-i.html Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:30:00 -0700 Werner Miller is up to his, well, new tricks! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/share-your-ahas.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/share-your-ahas.html Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:00:00 -0700 Regular readers will remember my past mentions of BetterExplained here, here, and most recently, here. Their newest post has a very pleasant surprise! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/goggles-from-google.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/goggles-from-google.html Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:00:00 -0700 Those wizards at Google Labs, however, have figured how to use math for one of the most unusual purposes ever - keeping you from embarassing yourself! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/puzzles-as-thank-you.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/puzzles-as-thank-you.html Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:45:00 -0700 As a thank you to my readers, who come here in the first place because they like to challenge their minds, I thought I'd share some of my favorite puzzles with you. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-much-is-700-billion-part-ii.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-much-is-700-billion-part-ii.html Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0700 My previous post, How much is $700 billion?, proved so popular and generated so much discussion, that I'm able to bring you more visualizations of $700 billion. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-much-is-700-billion.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-much-is-700-billion.html Sun, 28 Sep 2008 09:30:00 -0700 US$700 billion, the proposed amount of the financial institution bailout, is a big number to wrap your head around. Just how much is US$700,000,000,000? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/surprising-formulas.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/surprising-formulas.html Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0700 Many people think of formulas as one of the most boring parts of math, when they really should be considered one of the most interesting parts. When you get right down to it, a formula is the mathematical expression of a pattern. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/museums-full-of-numbers.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/museums-full-of-numbers.html Sun, 21 Sep 2008 10:30:00 -0700 I posted an entry about special properties of the number 23, and where to find properties of just about any number. These online "number museums" have . . . well, multiplied since then! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/please-help-grey-matters-to-continue.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/please-help-grey-matters-to-continue.html Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:40:00 -0700 Due largely to the recent economic situation, I'm having trouble making ends meet. So, I'll be using today's post to ask for your help in continuing Grey Matters. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/create-custom-online-puzzles-free.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/create-custom-online-puzzles-free.html Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700 Working on my new Scott's Puzzles blog has proved to be an interesting challenge. It's one thing to conceive of the idea that you're going to provide a variety of online puzzles that are related to current events, and quite another to actually do it. One result, though, is that I've found many sites I didn't know about before that let you create custom puzzles. I'd like to share them with you: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/september-11th-2001-remembered.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/september-11th-2001-remembered.html Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:38:00 -0700 This won't be much of a post today. I'm spending this day remembering September 11, 2001. I watching not only coverage of the memorials, but also the Internet Archive's September 11 video archive footage of the news coverage from September 11th, 12th, and 13th. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/even-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/even-more-quick-snippets.html Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:15:00 -0700 I went through both July and August without posting any snippets! It's time to rectify that. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/site-redesign-underway.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/09/site-redesign-underway.html Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:15:00 -0700 I ended my previous post with the comment, Hmm . . . maybe I need to look at redesigning some site features at Grey Matters. If you look closely, you'll note that this has already begun! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/proprofs-update.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/proprofs-update.html Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:45:00 -0700 Back when I first mentioned the ProProfs site in early 2007, it was starting out as a quiz and flashcard site geared towards serious scholastic subjects. Over the year since my last ProProfs update, the site has grown a great deal. I'm very impressed with the change! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/scotts-puzzles.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/scotts-puzzles.html Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:10:00 -0700 I've started a new blog called Scott's Puzzles. This new blog's entries will feature interactive puzzles, quizzes, and other challenges, and will usually focus on current events. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-mirabill.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/review-mirabill.html Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:45:00 -0700 Usually, when sleights are removed from a trick, the additional procedures that are created tend to complicate the routine, and often weaken the effect for the audience. However, the Mirabill version actually manages to keep your hands completely away from the deck at the point where the original required some sleights. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/now-available-2009-day-for-any-date.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/now-available-2009-day-for-any-date.html Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:30:00 -0700 How effective is this calendar? Just listen to what Luke Jermay wrote about this calendar on the MagicBunny forums (registration required): "I have hanging in my house Scott Cram's brillant little calendar . . . and often use this too." http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/pensive-quizzing.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/pensive-quizzing.html Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:30:00 -0700 I can't be asolutely sure that Bibliophiliac is referring to my How Many Xs Can You Name In Y Minutes post in his Oh My Sick Lord post, but it's a good read either way. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/timed-quiz-generator-final-message.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/timed-quiz-generator-final-message.html Sun, 17 Aug 2008 10:30:00 -0700 I've added a new feature to the Timed Quiz Generator! This new feature is referred to as Final Message Options, and as the name suggests, will allow you to post a custom message to the player after the quiz has ended. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/timed-quiz-generator-responses.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/timed-quiz-generator-responses.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:40:00 -0700 Even though I only announced it last Thursday, my Timed Quiz Generator has already gained plenty of attention and interest! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/fitch-cheney-card-trick.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/fitch-cheney-card-trick.html Sun, 10 Aug 2008 10:45:00 -0700 The efficient and ingenious method, combined with the simple appearance of the effect to the audience, quickly made the Fitch Cheney Card Trick a classic. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/make-your-own-timed-quizzes.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/make-your-own-timed-quizzes.html Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:30:00 -0700 Probably everyone who has played those How Many Xs Can You Name In Y Minutes-style quizzes has, at one time or another, come up with a topic they'd like to see as the subject of such a quiz. If you've ever wanted to create a timed quiz like this for your site, now you can, with the new Grey Matters Timed Quiz Generator! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/adventures-of-memoryeffectspdf.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/08/adventures-of-memoryeffectspdf.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:20:00 -0700 Some of you may have noticed that my MemoryEffects.PDF document was missing last week. It went on a bit of an adventure. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/iphone-and-ipod-touch-webapps.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/iphone-and-ipod-touch-webapps.html Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:35:00 -0700 After developing the iPhone version of Werner Miller's Age Square, I became interested in what other iPhone programs were out there that would interest Grey Matters readers. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/werner-millers-age-square.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/werner-millers-age-square.html Sun, 27 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0700 Perennial Grey Matters favorite Werner Miller has a new mathematical routine available, but this one is making its debut here on Grey Matters! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/us-presidential-candidate-puzzles.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/us-presidential-candidate-puzzles.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700 I'd like to post two original puzzles I've been saving. These puzzles are both cryptarithms. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/mental-gym-moved-and-site-features.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/mental-gym-moved-and-site-features.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:50:00 -0700 The Mental Gym is back up! I have relocated it to http://mentalgym.freehostia.com/. The 3-Letter Body Part Quiz proved so popular, it exceeded my ISP's bandwidth limits! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/mental-gym-temporarily-down.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/mental-gym-temporarily-down.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:13:00 -0700 The Grey Matters Mental Gym is temporarily down. It was removed due to exceeding bandwidth limits of my ISP. I believe this was due to the popularity of the 3-letter body part quiz. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/how-to-guess-someones-age.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/how-to-guess-someones-age.html Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:30:00 -0700 For as long as carnivals have been around, and probably much longer than that, there have been people who have tried to guess another person's age. Age is often not talked about openly, so how would you even begin to go about it? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/review-mind-blasters.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/review-mind-blasters.html Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:30:00 -0700 The newest entry in this series is Mind Blasters, which features mentalism routines from British magicians. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/great-moments-in-brain-power.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/great-moments-in-brain-power.html Sun, 13 Jul 2008 10:30:00 -0700 Every so often, I run across great stories of geniuses who show exceptional mental prowess, often while still young. I'm going to share some of my favorites. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/iflipr.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/iflipr.html Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:45:00 -0700 I've been wondering when flashcards would meet the iPhone. I now wonder no longer. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/character-definition.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/character-definition.html Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:45:00 -0700 Once you've decided to pursue a performing character, you're faced with the even bigger question of where to begin. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/character-purpose.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/07/character-purpose.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:45:00 -0700 The most essential thing to performing is a character. But why it is so essential? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/more-quick-snippets.html Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:45:00 -0700 Yep it's time again for some quick snippets! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/memorizing-things-on-tv.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/memorizing-things-on-tv.html Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:34:00 -0700 Last weekend, a few friends and I were having a discussion focusing on learning on TV. It started when we were talking about the old Schoolhouse Rock videos, which are responsible for raising an entire generation of people who can't recite the preamble to the U.S. Constitution without singing it. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/review-mind-explosions.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/review-mind-explosions.html Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:42:00 -0700 Mind Explosions features two routines, The Number of the Beast, which is Bob Cassidy's version of the Memory Magic Square (Found in Harry Lorayne's books, Mathematical Wizardry, and Reputation Makers), and Checkmate, which is his approach to the classic Knight's Tour. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-tricks-from-leo-boudreau.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-tricks-from-leo-boudreau.html Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:37:00 -0700 Many of you are familiar with Leo Boudreau's books. If you aren't, but you enjoy magic and mentalism that appears clean, impossible, and is the next best thing to real mind-reading, you should become familiar with his work. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/memorized-deck-online-toolbox.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/memorized-deck-online-toolbox.html Sun, 15 Jun 2008 10:52:00 -0700 Memorized decks have long been a favorite tool of mine (no surprise to regular Grey Matters readers), but even tools themselves can benefit from having their own toolboxes. Here's the most useful online tools I've found for a memorized deck toolbox. As an added bonus, they're all free! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/review-mental-case.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/review-mental-case.html Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700 The flashcard program I'm reviewing today, Mental Case, however, is a commercial program with a free trial version available. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/memoryeffectspdf-updated.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/memoryeffectspdf-updated.html Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:50:00 -0700 If you take a quick look in the downloads section of the rightmost column, you'll note that my list of memory-related effects (PDF, will open in new window) has been updated once again! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/quick-snippets.html Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:30:00 -0700 The theme of this edition of snippets is updates! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/timed-quizzes-on-your-blog.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/06/timed-quizzes-on-your-blog.html Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:45:00 -0700 Due to the interest shown, I've made my list of timed quizzes easy to post on your website or blog! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/more-fun-with-timed-quizzes.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/more-fun-with-timed-quizzes.html Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00:00 -0700 Even though I only started keeping track of timed quizzes back in March, the list already contains over 230 quizzes at this writing! As you can see from the Mental Gym page, I've even been working on my own timed quizzes. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/new-free-iphone-games.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/new-free-iphone-games.html Sun, 25 May 2008 17:57:00 -0700 Go ahead and try out both the new and old games in the iPhone/iPod Touch Mental Gym, and try to master them. You don't even have to own an iPhone or an iPod Touch to play them! I've made sure that all of these games area accessible and function on a regular computer. Enjoy! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/elementary.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/elementary.html Thu, 22 May 2008 09:33:00 -0700 There was a time when anyone you met on the street could name all the elements from memory. Of course, that was also when there were only four elements: Fire, Air, Earth, Water. The modern chemical elements are more numerous, but they can still be memorized. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/states-mis-stated.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/states-mis-stated.html Sun, 18 May 2008 20:10:00 -0700 My focus is on the fact that a mistake like this is surprisingly common. It might be the number of states, or forgetting the name of some of the states (much easier to do), but there a number of mistakes to be made about the states. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/rubiks-cube-solutions.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/rubiks-cube-solutions.html Thu, 15 May 2008 17:16:00 -0700 Thanks to technologies like Java, and the explosion of video technology, the web has become an excellent resource for learning about the cube. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/brains-in-news.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/brains-in-news.html Sun, 11 May 2008 16:08:00 -0700 More and more news stories of interest to Grey Matters readers are crossing my desk, so it's probably time to catch you up on the news. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/free-magic-ebooks.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/free-magic-ebooks.html Thu, 08 May 2008 17:49:00 -0700 It's been a while since I've really talked about magic, and since a number of free magic online resources have become available, it seemed like a good time to come back to it. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/grey-matters-pi-versary.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/grey-matters-pi-versary.html Mon, 05 May 2008 00:13:28 -0700 That's right, Grey Matters is now approximately Pi years old! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/knights-tour-update-33.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/05/knights-tour-update-33.html Thu, 01 May 2008 10:30:00 -0700 One of my favorite versions was Petri Kallberg's Knight's Tour 1.0 Dashboard widget (Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later required). I did, however, have a few criticisms of the widget. Instead of just sending off my criticisms, however, I decided to improve the widget myself. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/knights-tour-update-23.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/knights-tour-update-23.html Sun, 27 Apr 2008 11:13:00 -0700 After learning to do the Knight's Tour starting from any square, many people find that it almost seems too simple. All you really have to remember is the simple alternation of diamond and square systems, and to keep your paths open. Naturally, many move on to the advanced version of the Knight's Tour, where you let someone else choose the starting and ending squares. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/knights-tour-update-13.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/knights-tour-update-13.html Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:26:00 -0700 The Knight's Tour instructions and game on this site have always been one of Grey Matters' most popular sections. To keep it fresh and helpful, it's time I made some updates. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/gas-math.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/gas-math.html Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:05:00 -0700 If you do math at all at the gas pump, it's probably either related to how many gallons you can get for a given amount of money, or how much money will be required to get a needed amount of gas. If you're willing to do a bit of math and planning before you go get your gas, you can actually work a surprising amount of real savings into the equation, as well. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/perceptions-of-people-who-do-mental.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/perceptions-of-people-who-do-mental.html Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:19:00 -0700 Learning how to do math, especially mental math, can be great, but it does come with a price. It frequently changes how perceive you. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/timed-quiz-mnemonics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/timed-quiz-mnemonics.html Sun, 13 Apr 2008 16:00:00 -0700 Lately, we've talked quite a bit about how and where to find various timed quizzes. Of course, once you find them and try them out, the next step is getting better at them! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/timed-quiz-news.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/timed-quiz-news.html Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:39:00 -0700 WOW! Timed quizzes have proven to me popular than even I expected! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/timed-quizzes-feed.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/timed-quizzes-feed.html Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:06:00 -0700 My earlier post on timed quizzes, How Many Xs Can You Name In Y Minutes?, has proven popular. However, as I was adding new links, it struck me that there are better ways to keep it updated. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/early-days-of-computing.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/04/early-days-of-computing.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:02:00 -0700 My previous post, Computing . . . Without Computers!, was certainly a big hit, largely due to Fuzzy Skinner's link on Metafilter (Thank you for that, BTW!). http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/computing-without-computers.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/computing-without-computers.html Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:39:00 -0700 Did the title grab your attention? Surely, with something as complex as computing, you would need computers to learn about them, wouldn't you?!? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/two-great-math-blogs.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/two-great-math-blogs.html Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:41:00 -0700 I've recently found two math blogs which share my conviction that math, with the right perspective, can be fun and filled with beauty and surprise. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/memory-techniques-off-beaten-path.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/memory-techniques-off-beaten-path.html Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:10:00 -0700 Standard memory techniques work well in a wide variety of situations, but they can't cover every situation. Fortunately, with a little thought and work, you can easily develop systems for almost any situation. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/yet-again-still-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/yet-again-still-more-quick-snippets.html Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:00:00 -0700 Sometimes the snippets just builld up so fast, you have to post two in one month! That being the case, each of the following snippets will be two-for-one, as well. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-many-xs-can-you-name-in-y-minutes.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-many-xs-can-you-name-in-y-minutes.html Sun, 16 Mar 2008 10:38:00 -0700 One internet meme that seems to have taken off is quizzes where you have to name as many of something as you can in a certain amount of time. Last Updated: 4/4/08 http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/grey-matters-3rd-blogiversary.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/grey-matters-3rd-blogiversary.html Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:59:26 -0700 Has it really been 3 full years since I first started Grey Matters?!? It seems hard to believe, but it's true! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/finding-better-mnemonic-images.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/finding-better-mnemonic-images.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 08:27:00 -0700 There are times when it's not easy to come up with an effective image for a particular mnemonic. You may not realize it, but you have a great tool right in front of you for finding them. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/21-movie.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/21-movie.html Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:13:00 -0800 There's a new movie coming out at the end of this month, about the MIT Blackjack Team. Check out the trailer for 21. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/yet-still-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/03/yet-still-more-quick-snippets.html Sun, 02 Mar 2008 11:17:00 -0800 Now that it's March 2nd, it's time to march forth with today's snippets http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/free-goodies-galore.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/free-goodies-galore.html Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:00:00 -0800 I've got plenty of news and free goodies to share with you today! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-grey-matters-dashboard-widget.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-grey-matters-dashboard-widget.html Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:17:00 -0800 Just over two years ago, I introduced the Grey Matters Dashboard Widget, which displays the feed from this site. It's about time for an update, isn't it? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/changes-at-grey-matters.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/changes-at-grey-matters.html Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:12:00 -0800 Sorry about the late post today, but big things are afoot here at Grey Matters Central! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/readers-digests-memory-tricks.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/readers-digests-memory-tricks.html Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:13:00 -0800 The cover story of the March 2008 issue of Reader's Digest is an article featuring 20 quick tips to improve your memory! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/mathematical-mystery-tour.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/mathematical-mystery-tour.html Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:16:00 -0800 When you watch your favorite crime drama, what is happening? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/10-flashcard-programs-for-free.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/10-flashcard-programs-for-free.html Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:11:00 -0800 Since it's been a year, I figured now was a great time for an update on the free flashcard scene. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/messing-with-pi.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/messing-with-pi.html Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:58:00 -0800 Did you ever receive that e-mail that claims that some state's legislature (usually Alabama) has recently passed a law redefining Pi? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-iphoneipod-touch-games.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-iphoneipod-touch-games.html Sun, 03 Feb 2008 11:57:00 -0800 I've just doubled the size of the iPhone/iPod Touch Mental Gym! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/shakespearean-mnemonics-comedies.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/shakespearean-mnemonics-comedies.html Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:48:00 -0800 In this final installment, you'll learn to memorize all the comedies. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/shakespearean-mnemonics-tragedies.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/shakespearean-mnemonics-tragedies.html Sun, 27 Jan 2008 05:48:00 -0800 The histories were remembered with a systematic method, but the tragedies will require a different approach. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/shakespearean-mnemonics-histories.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/shakespearean-mnemonics-histories.html Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:36:00 -0800 While playing the Shakespeare Quiz from Sporcle.com's games section, I managed to work out my own mnemonics for remembering all of his plays. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/mental-ladders.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/mental-ladders.html Sun, 20 Jan 2008 13:46:00 -0800 What, you may very well ask, is a mental ladder? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/still-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/still-more-quick-snippets.html Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:48:00 -0800 OK, class. It's time to sit down in your seats, and look forward to today's links http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/genius-on-tv.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/genius-on-tv.html Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:58:00 -0800 Just how are geniuses presented, anyway? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/election-time.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/election-time.html Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:55:00 -0800 With so many people talking about it, the US elections can be a great theme for demonstrations. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/fun-calendars.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/fun-calendars.html Sun, 06 Jan 2008 11:36:00 -0800 Now that you know some fun feats with calendars, how about taking some fun approaches to calendars themselves? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/mental-math-tricks.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2008/01/mental-math-tricks.html Thu, 03 Jan 2008 09:05:00 -0800 One way to set yourself apart, whether in performance or in real life, is to be able to do math quickly in your head. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/calendar-fun.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/calendar-fun.html Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:15:00 -0800 Since we're about to switch over to a new calendar, how about some new calendar fun to go with it? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/quirkology.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/quirkology.html Thu, 27 Dec 2007 18:42:00 -0800 Richard Wiseman has just released a new book called Quirkology. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/rube-goldberg-machines.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/rube-goldberg-machines.html Sun, 23 Dec 2007 12:51:00 -0800 I'm going to blatantly steal an idea from the Christmas 2006 episode of Mythbusters, and simply demonstrate a few mind-boggling Rube Goldberg mahcines for you. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/werner-millers-holey-number.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/werner-millers-holey-number.html Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:08:00 -0800 As the year draws to a close, plenty of Grey Matters favorites seem to be putting in one last 2007 appearance. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/12-days-of-christmas.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/12-days-of-christmas.html Sun, 16 Dec 2007 15:58:00 -0800 Since the focus of this blog is largely math and memory feats, it probably won't be a surprise to learn that my favorite Christmas carol is The 12 Days of Christmas. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/mastermind-tm.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/mastermind-tm.html Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:07:00 -0800 One of the classics that used to puzzle me in my youth was the classic game of Mastermind(TM). http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/brain-straining-challenges.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/brain-straining-challenges.html Sun, 09 Dec 2007 11:26:00 -0800 If you've enjoyed brain training, here are some new ways to challenge your brain! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/plots-for-memory-routines.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/plots-for-memory-routines.html Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:57:00 -0800 Here are a few plots I've come up with to use as starting points for memory feat presentations. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/2007-grey-matters-gift-guide.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/12/2007-grey-matters-gift-guide.html Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:25:00 -0800 If you're looking for brain straining and entertaining gift ideas, you've come to the right place! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-wrap-up.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-wrap-up.html Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:21:00 -0800 As we wrap up both the series and the month of November, I thought I would include some closing thoughts. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-stories.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-stories.html Sun, 25 Nov 2007 10:39:00 -0800 Story magic isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it does lose power when not properly employed. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-emotions.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-emotions.html Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:49:00 -0800 Magicians have long been aware of the power of emotional performances, but they've also struggled with creating them. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-credibility.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-credibility.html Sun, 18 Nov 2007 08:31:00 -0800 Suspension of disbelief, like misdirection, is one of those concepts in magic that is important, yet inaccurately described. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-concreteness.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-concreteness.html Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:05:00 -0800 How would you like to give clarity to your routines, so that they're easier for your audiences to understand and remember? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-unexpected.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-unexpected.html Sun, 11 Nov 2007 11:15:00 -0800 Just about every magic performance employs an unexpected happening, but remarkably few presentations employ unexpectedness. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-simplicity.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memorable-magic-simplicity.html Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:15:00 -0800 What makes magic routines, or indeed any idea, memorable? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/magicpedia.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/magicpedia.html Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:03:00 -0800 Genii Magazine has just introduced MagicPedia, their online magic wiki! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memoryeffectspdf-updated.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/11/memoryeffectspdf-updated.html Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:16:00 -0700 I've just finished updating my list of memory-related resources! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/big-mac-vs-10-commandments.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/big-mac-vs-10-commandments.html Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:08:00 -0700 According to a Kelton Research survey, more Americans can name the ingredients of a McDonald's Big Mac than can name the 10 commandments. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/ask-alexanderfree.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/ask-alexanderfree.html Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:38:00 -0700 Wouldn't it be nice to try out the CARC archives for free? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/review-remember-it-art-of-trained.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/review-remember-it-art-of-trained.html Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:10:00 -0700 Recently Greg Gleason released a new 2-DVD set called Remember It: The Art of a Trained Memory. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-remember-names-and-faces.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-remember-names-and-faces.html Sun, 21 Oct 2007 22:25:00 -0700 That being the case, how exactly do you go about learning to remember names and faces? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/breaking-news-david-copperfields.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/breaking-news-david-copperfields.html Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:52:00 -0700 This just in: FBI agents have raided David Copperfield's warehouse! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/unusual-lists-to-memorize.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/unusual-lists-to-memorize.html Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:12:00 -0700 But what are some of the more unusual things that are fun and/or useful to remember? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/cards-memory-and-magic.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/cards-memory-and-magic.html Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:43:00 -0700 The memorized deck is a great tool for use in magic, but what is really required to learn a memorized stack? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/free-tybe-lite.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/free-tybe-lite.html Thu, 11 Oct 2007 11:30:00 -0700 Train Your Brain and Entertain is now available in a free version, called TYBE Lite! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/memory-games.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/memory-games.html Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:21:00 -0700 It's time to challenge your memory again! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/even-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/10/even-more-quick-snippets.html Thu, 04 Oct 2007 22:08:00 -0700 Here's today's quick snippets http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/iphone-brain-training.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/iphone-brain-training.html Sun, 30 Sep 2007 22:35:00 -0700 What are the options for those who want to tease their brain with an iPhone or iPod touch? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/charlievision.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/charlievision.html Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:55:00 -0700 There's only one more day to go until the season premiere of Numb3rs! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/numb3rs-new-season.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/numb3rs-new-season.html Sun, 23 Sep 2007 10:30:00 -0700 It's almost time for the 4th season of Numb3rs! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/day-for-any-date-calendar-updated.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/day-for-any-date-calendar-updated.html Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:34:00 -0700 The classic Day of the Week For Any Date feat isn't hard with practice, but there's no shame in wanting an easier approach. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/visualizing-scale.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/visualizing-scale.html Sun, 16 Sep 2007 13:45:00 -0700 Believe it or not, I haven't covered all the mathematical visualization sites on the web yet. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/visualizing-math.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/visualizing-math.html Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:12:00 -0700 I'm not the only one who has been thinking about visualizing mathematical concepts! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/visualizing-pi.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/visualizing-pi.html Sun, 09 Sep 2007 18:32:00 -0700 There are plenty of Pi posts here on Grey Matters. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/16th-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/16th-carnival-of-mathematics.html Sun, 09 Sep 2007 00:52:00 -0700 Yes, it's time once again for the Carnival of Mathematics! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/have-you-been-practicing-day-of-week.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/have-you-been-practicing-day-of-week.html Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:36:00 -0700 Have you been practicing the Day of the Week For Any Date feat? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/pythagorean-theorem.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/09/pythagorean-theorem.html Sun, 02 Sep 2007 13:00:00 -0700 Did I scare you with the title phrase? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/review-geek-logik.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/review-geek-logik.html Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:51:00 -0700 Want to look at the world through the mind of a geek? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/offbeat-memory-techniques.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/offbeat-memory-techniques.html Sun, 26 Aug 2007 13:28:00 -0700 However, there are some memory challenges that, because of the way in which you need to use the information, don't work neatly with those techniques. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/15th-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/15th-carnival-of-mathematics.html Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:44:00 -0700 The 15th Carnival of Mathematics has been posted! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/wolfram-demonstrations.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/wolfram-demonstrations.html Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:30:00 -0700 I've been distracted and fascinated by the subject of today's post, the Wolfram Demonstrations page. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/new-grey-matters-store.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/new-grey-matters-store.html Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:21:00 -0700 Take a close look at the tabs at the top of the page. There's something new there. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/review-every-good-boy-deserves-fudge.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/review-every-good-boy-deserves-fudge.html Thu, 16 Aug 2007 21:47:00 -0700 I've frequently been jealous of Scrabble players, as they have their own dictionary, but those of us who memorize things as a pastime don't have such a handy reference work. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/review-magic-of-memory.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/review-magic-of-memory.html Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:30:00 -0700 Dr. Thomas Harrington has recently released an excellent new PDF e-book called The Magic of Memory: Phonetic Mnemonics. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/14th-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/14th-carnival-of-mathematics.html Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:15:00 -0700 These Carnivals of Mathematics keep getting earlier and earlier. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/back-by-popular-demand.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/back-by-popular-demand.html Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:00:00 -0700 After various e-mails inquiring about them, the 400 Digits of Pi and Day of the Week For Any Date lessons and quizzes are back, and for free! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/13th-root-world-records.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/13th-root-world-records.html Sun, 05 Aug 2007 10:11:00 -0700 Ever seen a 200 digit number? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/magical-memory-routines.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/08/magical-memory-routines.html Thu, 02 Aug 2007 22:05:00 -0700 I've noticed numerous new memory-related magic routines coming down the pipeline, and I thought I would share them with you. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/new-math-and-memory-feats.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/new-math-and-memory-feats.html Sun, 29 Jul 2007 10:30:00 -0700 It's been too long since I've talked about the performing of actual math and memory feats! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/13th-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/13th-carnival-of-mathematics.html Thu, 26 Jul 2007 22:34:00 -0700 Yes, Carnival of Mathematics fans, it's that time again! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/free-math-and-memory-games.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/free-math-and-memory-games.html Thu, 26 Jul 2007 22:14:00 -0700 It's time again to have some fun with your grey matter! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/when-businesses-can-do-math.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/when-businesses-can-do-math.html Sun, 22 Jul 2007 10:30:00 -0700 Having talked about when businesses can't do math, let's turn our attention to businesses that can do math. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/when-businesses-cant-do-math.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/when-businesses-cant-do-math.html Thu, 19 Jul 2007 20:14:00 -0700 Late last year, I discussed Verizon's math difficulty. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/12th-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/12th-carnival-of-mathematics.html Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:01:00 -0700 Attention, Carnival of Mathematics fans! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/thinking-of-your-audience-first.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/thinking-of-your-audience-first.html Sun, 15 Jul 2007 22:40:00 -0700 When creating any type of performance, you need to keep in mind how you want your audience to feel. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/legos-vs-rubiks-cube.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/legos-vs-rubiks-cube.html Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:50:00 -0700 If you thought the Tinkertoy Tic-Tac-Toe computer was impressive, you haven't seen anything yet! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-see-math.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-see-math.html Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:13:00 -0700 If brainy topics can be made interesting, and even entertaining, then perhaps we can get more people to take a closer look at them. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/carnival-of-mathematics-xi.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/carnival-of-mathematics-xi.html Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:01:00 -0700 Welcome to the 11th Carnival of Mathematics! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/carnival-of-mathematics-submissions.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/carnival-of-mathematics-submissions.html Sun, 24 Jun 2007 10:02:00 -0700 The next Carnival of Mathematics will be right here on Friday, June 29th! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/online-sites-to-train-your-brain.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/online-sites-to-train-your-brain.html Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:57:00 -0700 Ever since games such as Brain Age and Brain Trainer have become available, there's been a renewed interest in improving the brain. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/new-features-at-proprofs.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/new-features-at-proprofs.html Sun, 17 Jun 2007 11:51:00 -0700 Since I first mentioned ProProfs' Flashcard and Quizschool sections back in March, they've kept improving the site! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/10th-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/10th-carnival-of-mathematics.html Sat, 16 Jun 2007 09:29:00 -0700 The 10th Carnival of Mathematics is now up over at MathNotations. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/puzzles-galore.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/puzzles-galore.html Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:38:00 -0700 Sure, there's plenty of puzzles and challenges over at the Mental Gym, but for those who seek further brain-straining, even more await out on the web! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/even-more-fun-with-pi.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/even-more-fun-with-pi.html Sun, 10 Jun 2007 12:26:00 -0700 It's time to visit some more sites in the spirit of my Fun With Pi and More Fun With Pi posts. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/danica-mckellar.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/danica-mckellar.html Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:00:00 -0700 This is one child star who is winding up very well adjusted and successful! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/more-quick-snippets.html Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:34:00 -0700 Here are some quick snippets for you http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/9th-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/06/9th-carnival-of-mathematics.html Sat, 02 Jun 2007 09:37:00 -0700 It took just a little longer than expected, but the 9th Carnival of Mathematics is up over at JD2718! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/numb3rs-season-3.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/numb3rs-season-3.html Thu, 31 May 2007 21:28:00 -0700 Numb3rs has just wrapped up its third season with some big surprises and puzzling character questions. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/prisoners-dilemma.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/prisoners-dilemma.html Sun, 27 May 2007 10:30:00 -0700 Imagine you and another person are arrested by the police. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/updates.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/updates.html Thu, 24 May 2007 13:12:00 -0700 More and more, I've been running across updates to stories I've previously posted here on Grey Matters, so here's the latest http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/pi-in-sky-magazine.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/pi-in-sky-magazine.html Sun, 20 May 2007 12:18:00 -0700 Now, the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences has jumped into the free mathematical magazine arena with their Pi In The Sky Magazine. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/8th-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/8th-carnival-of-mathematics.html Sat, 19 May 2007 01:06:00 -0700 Over at Geomblog, they've posted the 8th Carnival of Mathematics! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/this-is-your-brain-on-gawker-media.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/this-is-your-brain-on-gawker-media.html Thu, 17 May 2007 13:04:00 -0700 Over at the various Gawker Media sites there have been numerous posts which should pique your interest. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/quick-snippets.html Sun, 13 May 2007 11:20:00 -0700 Here's some quick snippets from around the web that regular readers may enjoy: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/tv-and-movie-math.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/tv-and-movie-math.html Thu, 10 May 2007 12:00:00 -0700 Just how does our society think of mathematicians? One of the best ways to find out is to look at their portrayal in movies and TV. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/7th-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/7th-carnival-of-mathematics.html Fri, 04 May 2007 11:21:00 -0700 Yes, the 7th Carnival of Mathematics is up over at nOnoscience. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/calculators-past-present-and-future.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/05/calculators-past-present-and-future.html Thu, 03 May 2007 12:53:00 -0700 While I've discussed methods of calculations numerous times, I haven't talked much about the means. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/brain-fun-3.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/brain-fun-3.html Sun, 29 Apr 2007 12:48:00 -0700 Here's a quick trip around the internet for a great collection of various mental challenges: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/learning-new-language.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/learning-new-language.html Thu, 26 Apr 2007 18:15:00 -0700 Living in Las Vegas, it's not uncommon for me to run across people from all around the world. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/states.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/states.html Sun, 22 Apr 2007 12:27:00 -0700 Last night, The History Channel premiered a new series, titled The States. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/6th-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/6th-carnival-of-mathematics.html Thu, 19 Apr 2007 23:08:00 -0700 The 6th Carnival of Mathematics is up over at Modulo Errors, and a day early, too! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/werner-millers-age-cube.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/werner-millers-age-cube.html Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:40:00 -0700 Since all the posts since last Sunday have focused on history, it's only proper to wind up "history week" by showing you something new created from something old. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/connections-and-day-universe-changed.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/connections-and-day-universe-changed.html Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:39:00 -0700 Thanks to Clickcaster's Connections video podcast, you now have a second chance to see the complete series! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/500-year-old-math-and-magic-book.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/500-year-old-math-and-magic-book.html Sun, 15 Apr 2007 11:30:00 -0700 The newest book of magic and math puzzles out there is also one of the oldest. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/more-puzzles-in-mental-gym.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/more-puzzles-in-mental-gym.html Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:06:00 -0700 I've added even more challenges to the Mental Gym! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/new-grey-matters-features.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/new-grey-matters-features.html Sun, 08 Apr 2007 10:42:00 -0700 There have been a few changes being made to the Grey Matters site, so I thought I would keep you posted. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/5th-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/5th-carnival-of-mathematics.html Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:09:00 -0700 The 5th Carnival of Mathematics is being hosted over at the Science and Reason blog. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/sega-brain-trainer.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/sega-brain-trainer.html Thu, 05 Apr 2007 13:03:00 -0700 I've just discovered a new product from Sega Toys, called Brain Trainer. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/binary-sensory-card-marking-system.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/04/binary-sensory-card-marking-system.html Sun, 01 Apr 2007 00:52:00 -0700 A PDF reveals instructional legerdemain for one original labeling system! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/number-23-and-24-25-26.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/number-23-and-24-25-26.html Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:19:00 -0700 The Number 23 is currently in theaters, and as a result, has everyone wondering about the mysterious properties of the number 23. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/arithemagic.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/arithemagic.html Sun, 25 Mar 2007 10:54:00 -0700 Philemon Vanderbeck has a new school show called Arithemagic. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/4th-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/4th-carnival-of-mathematics.html Fri, 23 Mar 2007 09:55:00 -0700 I have good news for the fans of the Carnival of Mathematics! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/review-sessions-with-simon-vol-3.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/review-sessions-with-simon-vol-3.html Thu, 22 Mar 2007 10:55:00 -0700 No, you didn't miss the first two reviews. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/math-and-memory-diversions.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/math-and-memory-diversions.html Sun, 18 Mar 2007 12:00:00 -0700 It feels like a lazy weekend, so today, we'll just relax with some pleasant mental diversions. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/grey-matters-2nd-blogiversary.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/grey-matters-2nd-blogiversary.html Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:59:26 -0700 It's Pi Day, which means it's the 2nd blogiversary of Grey Matters! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/free-flashcards-galore.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/free-flashcards-galore.html Sun, 11 Mar 2007 11:47:00 -0800 Could free flashcard memorization be the killer app of early 2007? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/3rd-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/3rd-carnival-of-mathematics.html Fri, 09 Mar 2007 11:29:00 -0800 The 3rd Carnival of Mathematics is now up! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/create-free-flashcards-and-quizzes.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/create-free-flashcards-and-quizzes.html Thu, 08 Mar 2007 13:27:00 -0800 I've discovered yet another site to add to my list of free online memory tools. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/free-memory-ebook.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/free-memory-ebook.html Sun, 04 Mar 2007 11:06:00 -0800 Robert H. Nutt's 1943 book, How to Remember Names and Faces: How to Develop a Good Memory, is now available online for free! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/mathematical-humor.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/03/mathematical-humor.html Thu, 01 Mar 2007 10:49:00 -0800 As a matter of fact, if you look closely, Mathworld is a surprisingly amusing site. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/memoryeffectspdf-updated.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/memoryeffectspdf-updated.html Sun, 25 Feb 2007 11:35:00 -0800 I've updated MemoryEffects.PDF (opens in a new window) with the numerous routines from Combo II. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/2nd-carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/2nd-carnival-of-mathematics.html Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:28:00 -0800 The 2nd Carnival of Mathematics is now up! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/review-combo-ii.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/review-combo-ii.html Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:12:00 -0800 While it has taken me a year to keep my promise, this post will finally fulfill it. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/review-ebbinghaus-15-mac-os-x.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/review-ebbinghaus-15-mac-os-x.html Sun, 18 Feb 2007 09:33:00 -0800 What iTunes is to music libraries - free, simple, flexible and effective - Ebbinghaus is to flashcard libraries. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/bbc-on-memory.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/bbc-on-memory.html Thu, 15 Feb 2007 18:27:00 -0800 Last year, the BBC ran a program titled How To Improve Your Memory. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/carnival-of-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/carnival-of-mathematics.html Sun, 11 Feb 2007 09:20:00 -0800 Over at Abstract Nonsense, they're hosting a great blog carnival (a what?). http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/solving-rubiks-cube-for-speed.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/solving-rubiks-cube-for-speed.html Thu, 08 Feb 2007 13:34:00 -0800 Probably the best selling book on how to solve the Rubik's Cube would have to be The Simple Solution to Rubik's Cube, by James G. Nourse. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/memorizing-poetry.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/memorizing-poetry.html Sun, 04 Feb 2007 12:57:00 -0800 Among memory techniques, rote memorization has a bad reputation. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/10-online-memory-toolsfor-free.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/02/10-online-memory-toolsfor-free.html Thu, 01 Feb 2007 11:18:00 -0800 My recent entry on Quizlet led me to explore what other free online tools are out there to aid your memory. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/quizlet.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/quizlet.html Sun, 28 Jan 2007 11:55:00 -0800 Just like we have YouTube for videos and Slideshare for slideshows, we now have Quizlet for flashcards! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/more-fun-with-pi.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/more-fun-with-pi.html Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:14:00 -0800 The graphic that opened the previous entry is great for computers, but what if you want to approximate Pi in the real world? Just throw frozen hot dogs! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/fun-with-pi.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/fun-with-pi.html Sun, 21 Jan 2007 11:58:00 -0800 Pi is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. Huh?!? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/mental-gym-and-presentation-updates.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/mental-gym-and-presentation-updates.html Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:29:00 -0800 First, thank you to everyone who commented and e-mailed me concerning the recent slideshow upgrade. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/lightning-calculators.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/lightning-calculators.html Sun, 14 Jan 2007 12:34:00 -0800 A "lightning calculator", for those not familiar with the term, is simply someone who can perform seemingly complex math in their head very quickly. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/review-bits-and-bytes.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/review-bits-and-bytes.html Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:06:00 -0800 Many magic books that come out these days are an attempt to show the author's swiftness with their hands. Bits and Bytes by Dale Hildebrandt, however, showcases a deft mind and a great ability at lateral thinking! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/yet-again-still-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/yet-again-still-more-quick-snippets.html Sun, 07 Jan 2007 21:58:00 -0800 Here's some quick and fun items I thought I'd share from my journeys around the web: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/computer-scienceand-fun.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/computer-scienceand-fun.html Thu, 04 Jan 2007 10:06:00 -0800 Computer Science. This is one of the worst possible names you could give it. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/new-look-for-new-year.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2007/01/new-look-for-new-year.html Mon, 01 Jan 2007 02:14:00 -0800 Happy New Year! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/connections-series-that-made-me-geek.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/connections-series-that-made-me-geek.html Sun, 31 Dec 2006 09:56:00 -0800 I still remember, back in 1978, flipping through the channels by getting up and going over to the TV set and turning an actual knob to one of 13 different channels we received at the time, and running across a show on PBS teaching history in an unusual manner. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/knitting-and-mathematics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/knitting-and-mathematics.html Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:00:00 -0800 Mathematicians are used to working with knots, but now they're discovering knits, as well. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/free-memory-ebook.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/free-memory-ebook.html Sun, 24 Dec 2006 12:12:00 -0800 Through December 26th, Magic Roadshow is generously offering its book Advanced Memory Techniques for Magicians and Mentalists for free! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/look-back.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/look-back.html Sun, 24 Dec 2006 11:51:00 -0800 It's been quite a year here at Grey Matters. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/numb3rs.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/numb3rs.html Thu, 21 Dec 2006 12:24:00 -0800 As some of you may have guessed from the video in my Monty Hall Dilemma post, I'm a fan of the TV show Numb3rs. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/new-official-pi-record.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/new-official-pi-record.html Sun, 17 Dec 2006 10:25:00 -0800 The new Guinness World Record for reciting Pi from memory is now 67890 digits! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/amazing-magic-squares.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/amazing-magic-squares.html Thu, 14 Dec 2006 11:27:00 -0800 Those of you who have read this blog for some time, know of my passion for magic squares. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/verizon-dollars-and-sense.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/verizon-dollars-and-sense.html Sun, 10 Dec 2006 09:04:00 -0800 The above audio recording is agonizing to hear, and it all reduces down to a mistake in basic math made by Verizon. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/new-grey-matters-features.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/new-grey-matters-features.html Thu, 07 Dec 2006 17:24:00 -0800 I'm in the process of adding some new features to Grey Matters. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/22-ways-to-overclock-your-brain.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/22-ways-to-overclock-your-brain.html Sun, 03 Dec 2006 16:33:00 -0800 If you enjoyed the book Mind Performance Hacks, you will most likely enjoy the article 22 Ways To Overclock Your Brain, from the self-improvement site Ririan Project. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/mike-byster.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/12/mike-byster.html Fri, 01 Dec 2006 22:06:00 -0800 On 20/20 this week, they featured human calculator Mike Byster, who teaches kids in the Chicago how to improve their math abilities. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/monty-hall-dilemma.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/monty-hall-dilemma.html Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:01:00 -0800 In the above video, Charlie Eppes (David Krumholtz) is discussing what has become known in math circles as the Monty Hall Dilemma. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/if-geniuses-ruled.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/if-geniuses-ruled.html Sun, 26 Nov 2006 16:56:00 -0800 It's time for a little pure fun. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/google-book-search.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/google-book-search.html Thu, 23 Nov 2006 10:26:00 -0800 If you've tried Google Book Search before, there is now a vastly improved interface that is faster and far more manageable. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/review-hidden-numerical-forces.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/review-hidden-numerical-forces.html Sun, 19 Nov 2006 08:37:00 -0800 There have been plenty of books on mathematically-based effects, but there are very few books available on the proper presentation of those same routines. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/who-wants-to-be-cognitive.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/who-wants-to-be-cognitive.html Thu, 16 Nov 2006 16:00:00 -0800 The last time I discussed someone using mental training to win money on a game show, it concerned Michael Larson's appearance on "Press Your Luck". http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/pasteboard-presentations-ii-at.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/pasteboard-presentations-ii-at.html Sun, 12 Nov 2006 11:25:00 -0800 For some time now, my book Terry LaGerould's Pasteboard Presentations II has been available at the Grey Matters Store, as well as numerous magic dealers. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/gemini-magic-square-routines.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/gemini-magic-square-routines.html Thu, 09 Nov 2006 13:44:00 -0800 Magic squares have been a frequent topic here on Grey Matters, as a quick site search will show. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/new-pi-mnemonics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/new-pi-mnemonics.html Sun, 05 Nov 2006 07:26:00 -0800 I enjoy hearing from those who are using my Train Your Brain and Entertain software (TYBE). http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/bicycle-sudoku-mnemonic.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/11/bicycle-sudoku-mnemonic.html Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:59:00 -0800 Have you ever opened up a new deck of Bicycle Playing Cards and seen the card featuring a Sudoku puzzle? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/knights-tour-controversy-letters.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/knights-tour-controversy-letters.html Sun, 29 Oct 2006 09:33:00 -0800 Earlier this month, I talked about the Knight's Tour Controversy between Ricky Jay and Eric Walton. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/yet-still-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/yet-still-more-quick-snippets.html Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:35:00 -0700 Here's a quick look around the web at items of interest to all of you in the Brain Gang: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/martin-garnder-interview.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/martin-garnder-interview.html Sun, 22 Oct 2006 21:54:00 -0700 Martin Gardner has done more than any other single person to bring mathematics to the masses. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/genii-archives-now-online.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/genii-archives-now-online.html Thu, 19 Oct 2006 13:29:00 -0700 An amazing and rich resource has just been made accessible online! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/tybe-at-lybrarycom.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/tybe-at-lybrarycom.html Sun, 15 Oct 2006 09:05:00 -0700 I've mentioned Lybrary.com numerous times, going back even as far as the second entry on this blog. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/how-to-impress-sudoku-fans.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/how-to-impress-sudoku-fans.html Thu, 12 Oct 2006 09:48:00 -0700 Werner Miller is a retired teacher of mathematics, whose hobbies are recreational mathematics and magic. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/still-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/still-more-quick-snippets.html Sun, 08 Oct 2006 11:28:00 -0700 Here's a few quick announcements about the Grey Matters Site itself: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/100000-digits-of-pi.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/100000-digits-of-pi.html Thu, 05 Oct 2006 12:05:00 -0700 Last year, I mentioned Akira Haraguchi, who recited 83,431 digits of Pi from memory. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/knights-tour-controversy.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/10/knights-tour-controversy.html Sun, 01 Oct 2006 09:51:00 -0700 On a blog like Grey Matters, with its focus on mental feats, it's not unreasonable to expect occasional discussion of the Knight's Tour. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/2020memory-software.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/2020memory-software.html Thu, 28 Sep 2006 12:06:00 -0700 One of the most classic memory feats is the one in which you remember a long list of items generated by the audience, usually in and out of order. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/hunkins-experiments.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/hunkins-experiments.html Sun, 24 Sep 2006 11:03:00 -0700 Over at Hunkin's Experiments, there are a number of fascinating things to try. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/visual-catalog-feed.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/visual-catalog-feed.html Thu, 21 Sep 2006 15:00:00 -0700 To help give a better idea of the items available in the Grey Matters Online Store, I've added a new feature! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/mind-hack-archive.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/mind-hack-archive.html Sun, 17 Sep 2006 11:06:00 -0700 Over on Lifehacker, I've just discovered a fascinating section of their site that is perfect for the Brain Gang (my name for Grey Matters readers). http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/jimmy-ruskas-speed-math.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/jimmy-ruskas-speed-math.html Thu, 14 Sep 2006 12:13:00 -0700 Today, I am introducing a new feature into the Grey Matters Mental Gym! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/day-for-any-date-calendar-updated.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/day-for-any-date-calendar-updated.html Sun, 10 Sep 2006 08:32:00 -0700 Back in March of this year, I introduced the 2006 Day For Any Date Calendar, which is specially designed to allow you to recall the day of the week for any date given in 2006, while making this feat much easier to do than the pure-memory version. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/magic-squares-blog.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/magic-squares-blog.html Thu, 07 Sep 2006 05:12:00 -0700 With the help of Technorati.com, I've just discovered a brand new blog of interest to Grey Matter readers. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/tinkertoy-tic-tac-toe.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/09/tinkertoy-tic-tac-toe.html Sun, 03 Sep 2006 11:36:00 -0700 When people think of computers, they think of high-tech chips, and high-speed processors. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/review-21st-century-knights-tour.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/review-21st-century-knights-tour.html Thu, 31 Aug 2006 12:36:00 -0700 Two weeks ago, in my Mental Software Round-Up, I briefly mentioned Lior Manor's 21st Century Knight's Tour. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/video-blog-delay.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/video-blog-delay.html Sun, 27 Aug 2006 09:33:00 -0700 I apologize for not being able to update the Grey Matters Video Blog for roughly the past 2 weeks. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/perpetualkidcom.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/perpetualkidcom.html Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:22:00 -0700 Just recently, I've run across a fun site, whose spirit I absolutely love! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/instantaneous-card-memory.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/instantaneous-card-memory.html Sun, 20 Aug 2006 09:37:00 -0700 Over on MySpace, Scarboni has just posted an interesting psuedo-memory effect. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/mental-feat-software-round-up.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/mental-feat-software-round-up.html Thu, 17 Aug 2006 10:35:00 -0700 Today's entry contains plemty of software that is right down the alley of many Grey Matters readers. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/store-news-update.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/store-news-update.html Sun, 13 Aug 2006 09:42:00 -0700 Today, I have new of some updates to the Grey Matters Online Store for you. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/review-secrets-of-mental-math.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/review-secrets-of-mental-math.html Thu, 10 Aug 2006 12:43:00 -0700 Arthur Benjamin's book, Secrets of Mental Math (discussed here and here), has now been released! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/back-to-school-time.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/back-to-school-time.html Sun, 06 Aug 2006 09:27:00 -0700 It's time to start thinking about going back to school! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/dustin-it-off.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/08/dustin-it-off.html Thu, 03 Aug 2006 17:57:00 -0700 My first ever published article was in the December 1990 issue of Genii magazine, in a column called Tarbell Treasures, by Dean Montalbano. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/secrets-of-mental-math-update.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/secrets-of-mental-math-update.html Sun, 30 Jul 2006 10:52:00 -0700 Back in March, I announced that Arthur Benjamin and Michael Shermer were releasing a new book in August 2006. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/mind-blogs.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/mind-blogs.html Thu, 27 Jul 2006 10:55:00 -0700 I have two new mind-focused blogs to share with you today! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/review-dramatica.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/review-dramatica.html Sun, 23 Jul 2006 11:11:00 -0700 Storytelling is an important part of creating any type of performance art. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/instructablescom.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/instructablescom.html Thu, 20 Jul 2006 13:20:00 -0700 As you've probably guessed from the previous two entries, I'm in somewhat of a do-it-yourself mode lately. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/clue-memory.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/clue-memory.html Thu, 13 Jul 2006 14:13:00 -0700 Personally, I think it's fun to take things out of their expected uses, and see how I can use them in a performance of magic, memory or mental math. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/giant-knights-tour.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/giant-knights-tour.html Sun, 09 Jul 2006 11:40:00 -0700 Every so often, I run across regular items that are perfect for use in a mental feat demonstration, such as this entry from May. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/sessions-with-terry-lagerould-dvd.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/sessions-with-terry-lagerould-dvd.html Thu, 06 Jul 2006 16:17:00 -0700 Many of you may know Terry LaGerould from Pasteboard Presentations I or my book, Pasteboard Presentations II. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/basic-blackjack-strategy-t-shirts.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/07/basic-blackjack-strategy-t-shirts.html Sun, 02 Jul 2006 11:52:00 -0700 Yes, I've been neglecting the Grey Matters Online Store for too long, due to other projects. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/google-homepage-gadget.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/google-homepage-gadget.html Thu, 29 Jun 2006 15:33:00 -0700 It's time to add another way to make it easier to navigate the site! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/gathering-for-gardner-7.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/gathering-for-gardner-7.html Sun, 25 Jun 2006 12:58:00 -0700 Seed Magazine recently published a great story on the Gathering for Gardner 7 (or G4G7, for short), which I briefly mentioned back in May. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/divining-phone-numbers.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/divining-phone-numbers.html Thu, 22 Jun 2006 12:28:00 -0700 Over at the Magic Cafe, there's a great thread about divining phone numbers. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/magic-blogospere-tracker.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/magic-blogospere-tracker.html Sun, 18 Jun 2006 11:13:00 -0700 Magicforge is a great magic blog you should definitely check out. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/student-breaks-north-american-pi.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/student-breaks-north-american-pi.html Thu, 15 Jun 2006 07:14:00 -0700 Back in March, I briefly mentioned Gaurav Rajav's attempt at the North American Pi Record. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/amazing-kids.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/amazing-kids.html Sun, 11 Jun 2006 11:02:00 -0700 If you haven't already been over there this weekend, check out Grey Matters Videos! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/memory-sites-around-web.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/memory-sites-around-web.html Thu, 08 Jun 2006 18:34:00 -0700 If you're interested in memory techniques, there are plenty of sites to increase and share your knowledge that have opened in recent weeks. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/new-grey-matters-presentation-section.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/new-grey-matters-presentation-section.html Sun, 04 Jun 2006 12:41:00 -0700 Take a look at the Site Menu up above. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/review-theater-close-up-by-greg.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/06/review-theater-close-up-by-greg.html Thu, 01 Jun 2006 11:58:00 -0700 When I first saw the ad for Greg Gleason's Theater Close-up, many of the effect descriptions peaked my interest, so I picked them up as soon as possible. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/recreational-math-links.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/recreational-math-links.html Thu, 25 May 2006 16:49:00 -0700 I've recently discovered quite a few links related to recreational mathematics that I'd like to share with you! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/tybe-now-available-from-your-favorite.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/tybe-now-available-from-your-favorite.html Mon, 22 May 2006 18:56:00 -0700 The big news I promised in yesterday's post is now ready for release! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/tybe-reviews.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/tybe-reviews.html Sun, 21 May 2006 20:45:00 -0700 Word is starting to spread about my Train Your Brain and Entertain software (TYBE)! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/mental-featswith-style.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/mental-featswith-style.html Thu, 18 May 2006 13:32:00 -0700 Every act should have style, even a memory or mental math act. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/even-more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/even-more-quick-snippets.html Sun, 14 May 2006 16:45:00 -0700 Yes, I am a little busy due to this being Mother's Day, but I do have some quick tidbits to share: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/weve-got-videos-part-2.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/weve-got-videos-part-2.html Thu, 11 May 2006 17:32:00 -0700 After adding the video menu, as mentioned in my previous post, I realized that, without descriptions, there wasn't much reason for anyone to look up a particular video. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/weve-got-videos.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/weve-got-videos.html Sat, 06 May 2006 21:11:00 -0700 I admit, with an unusual interest such as memory and math feats, it's not always easy for people to communicate how impressive these feats can be. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/great-genii-routines.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/05/great-genii-routines.html Thu, 04 May 2006 13:23:00 -0700 This month's (May 2006) Genii Magazine features some great routines that will be of interest to readers of this blog. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/25-newly-released-items.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/25-newly-released-items.html Sun, 30 Apr 2006 13:23:00 -0700 Yes, you read correctly. Over the past few days, I've added 2.5 items to my line of goods over at the Grey Matters Online Store. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/ben-franklins-magic-square-challenge.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/ben-franklins-magic-square-challenge.html Tue, 25 Apr 2006 11:24:00 -0700 The London Times, in honor of the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth, has posted a challenge to their readers. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/making-it-all-worthwhile.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/making-it-all-worthwhile.html Sun, 23 Apr 2006 13:25:00 -0700 I just received the following e-mail, and I am republishing it here with the permission of the sender, who asked to be kept anonymous: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/sudoku-game-updated.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/sudoku-game-updated.html Sun, 23 Apr 2006 12:57:00 -0700 Thanks to the hard work of the folks over at Bin-Co, I've just updated the Sudoku page over in the Mental Gymnasium. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/make-money-with-grey-matters.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/make-money-with-grey-matters.html Sat, 22 Apr 2006 14:33:00 -0700 Even though the Grey Matters Online Store has only been open for a few months, it's already doing better than I initially expected. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/review-impuzzibilities-and-further.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/review-impuzzibilities-and-further.html Fri, 21 Apr 2006 09:34:00 -0700 Jim Steinmeyer has released a sequel to his popular Impuzzibilities book, entitled Further Impuzzibilities, which are availble from most magic dealers, as well as directly from Jim Steinmeyer. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/review-how-to-solve-every-sudoku.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/review-how-to-solve-every-sudoku.html Sun, 16 Apr 2006 16:17:00 -0700 If, like me, you've been driven to distraction and near-madness by Sudoku, you've probably been looking for more effective methods for solving the puzzle. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/memory-feat.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/memory-feat.html Fri, 14 Apr 2006 09:10:00 -0700 Here's something you don't see often - a new, original memory demonstration! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/doug-cannings.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/doug-cannings.html Sun, 09 Apr 2006 16:35:00 -0700 For almost as long as I've had the Astonishment Site, Doug Canning has graciously allow me to teach his Mental Shopper in the memory section of the site. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/thank-you-dale.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/thank-you-dale.html Sun, 09 Apr 2006 09:46:00 -0700 Grey Matters has just received a glowing review in the "Head Trip" entry over at Dale A. Hildebrandt's blog! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/more-quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/more-quick-snippets.html Thu, 06 Apr 2006 21:04:00 -0700 Here is a brief look around the web in the world of memory and math: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/review-mathematical-wizardry.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/review-mathematical-wizardry.html Sun, 02 Apr 2006 11:15:00 -0700 Harry Lorayne's newest book is called, "How to perform feats of Mathematical Wizardry". I've finally managed to get my hands on a copy, so here's the review I promised in my 100th post. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/i-forgot-to-put-title-here.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/04/i-forgot-to-put-title-here.html Sat, 01 Apr 2006 06:13:00 -0800 One of the things regular visitors to this site want to see is the latest in forgetting techniques, and the occasional super-forgetting demonstration. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/rubiks-sudoku.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/rubiks-sudoku.html Thu, 30 Mar 2006 16:13:00 -0800 Yes, Rubik's Sudoku is a real thing, or at least it will be soon. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/dice-ceptive.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/dice-ceptive.html Mon, 27 Mar 2006 21:54:00 -0800 Over at Boing Boing, Mark Frauenfelder discusses a dice game that seems fair, but is actually in your favor. Done correctly, you can always select a die that will beat your opponent on 2 out of 3 rolls, over the long run! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/busy-week-at-grey-matters.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/busy-week-at-grey-matters.html Sun, 26 Mar 2006 16:36:00 -0800 The projects I briefly mentioned at the beginning of this blog entry have finally been coming to fruition this week, and I can tell you it's great to finally see some finished results! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/day-of-week-for-any-date.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/day-of-week-for-any-date.html Thu, 23 Mar 2006 20:33:00 -0800 One of the classic memory feats, which I even teach in Train Your Brain and Entertain, is the ability to give the day of the week for any date. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/computers-straining-your-brain.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/computers-straining-your-brain.html Sun, 19 Mar 2006 20:52:00 -0800 Computers have often been compared to an electronic version of the brain, so it's only natural that you get help straining your brain from them. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/student-recites-8784-digits-of-pi.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/student-recites-8784-digits-of-pi.html Fri, 17 Mar 2006 20:00:00 -0800 Gaurav Rajav, 15-year-old, managed to recite Pi to 8,784 digits, in an attempt to go for the 10,790-digit US record. There's more detail on this story over at Yahoo News. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/notes-from-math-class_17.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/notes-from-math-class_17.html Fri, 17 Mar 2006 06:06:00 -0800 Several projects have been keeping me busy, but I've nonetheless been able to find some sites I hope you'll find are worth exploring: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/grey-matters-one-year-blogiversary-oh.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/grey-matters-one-year-blogiversary-oh.html Tue, 14 Mar 2006 06:07:00 -0800 365 days and 114 posts ago, I started Grey Matters. That makes today Pi Day, Albert Einstein's birthday and Grey Matters' one-year Blogiversary! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/mindsites.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/mindsites.html Sun, 12 Mar 2006 12:37:00 -0800 It's tough enough finding sites that encourage you to strain your brain, so when I find such sites that, like Grey Matters, believe this should be fun, then you know I'm going to post them right away! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/grey-matters-store-new-features.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/grey-matters-store-new-features.html Thu, 09 Mar 2006 12:13:00 -0800 If you haven't already done so since Sunday (March 5th), check out the Grey Matters store. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/looking-through-mental-attic.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/looking-through-mental-attic.html Sun, 05 Mar 2006 08:58:00 -0800 I try to keep bringing you the latest news concerning fun mental feats, of course, but sometimes, looking through cobwebsites (sites that haven't been updated in a long time) can also yield some interesting treasures. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/new-look-for-grey-matters.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/03/new-look-for-grey-matters.html Sat, 04 Mar 2006 23:16:00 -0800 Ever since I realized that Grey Matters' 1-year blogiversary was drawing closer, I've been putting some heavy thought into redesigning the site. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/two-weeks-to-pi-day.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/two-weeks-to-pi-day.html Tue, 28 Feb 2006 20:20:00 -0800 It's exactly two weeks until the most important day of the year for geeks - Pi Day, Einstein's birthday and the Grey Matters one-year blogiversary! For those who may not fully understand it, here is the Wikipedia article on Pi Day for a better explanation. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/seriously-simple-sums-multiplication.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/seriously-simple-sums-multiplication.html Sun, 26 Feb 2006 20:44:00 -0800 Yes, I already have another brain-sharpening book I want to share with you. However, this one is an eBook. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/mind-performance-hacks.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/mind-performance-hacks.html Sun, 26 Feb 2006 09:05:00 -0800 I knew I wasn't the only one! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/400-digit-pi-challenge.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/400-digit-pi-challenge.html Thu, 23 Feb 2006 16:08:00 -0800 To help celebrate today's release of Train Your Brain and Entertain (TYBE), I'm introducing what I like to call the 400-Digit Pi Challenge! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/new-release-train-your-brain-and.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/new-release-train-your-brain-and.html Thu, 23 Feb 2006 13:38:00 -0800 I hinted in this post, that I had a major upcoming announcement, and here it is! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/new-grey-matters-mental-gymnasium.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/new-grey-matters-mental-gymnasium.html Sun, 19 Feb 2006 15:52:00 -0800 You've always been able to read about mental feats here at Grey Matters, so I figured it was start time you could both learn and practice some amazing mental feats for yourself. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/mark-farrars-mnemonics-site.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/mark-farrars-mnemonics-site.html Thu, 16 Feb 2006 17:49:00 -0800 I've mentioned Mark Farrar's site before (here and here), but the attention has mainly been focused on the Magic Squares section of his site. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/challenge-your-brain-on-mac-os-xfor.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/challenge-your-brain-on-mac-os-xfor.html Sun, 12 Feb 2006 13:13:00 -0800 Being a Mac user and programmer myself (which you may have figured out when I released the Grey Matters Dashboard widget), I've been looking at various free brainteasing programs for Mac OS X recently, and I thought I'd share my findings with you. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/grand-opening-grey-matters-online.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/grand-opening-grey-matters-online.html Thu, 09 Feb 2006 20:31:00 -0800 It's been some time in coming, but I'm glad to finally announce the opening of the Grey Matters Online Store! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/two-new-mental-math-releases.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/two-new-mental-math-releases.html Thu, 02 Feb 2006 21:49:00 -0800 Sometimes authors keep the good stuff close to home. Such is the case with two new releases, both available only directly from their respective authors. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/scott-flansburg-human-calculator.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/02/scott-flansburg-human-calculator.html Sat, 04 Feb 2006 20:47:00 -0800 With an unusual interest such as training your brain to work more effectively, it's not often I'm able to locate videos of people performing such feats. About the only other time I've been able to do this on this blog is the entry that included video of Anton Zellman's memory feats. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/mental-math.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/mental-math.html Mon, 30 Jan 2006 21:09:00 -0800 I've talked briefly about Mental Math tricks before, but I've never really had a good source for a large variety of mental math feats. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/extreme-soduku-part-2.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/extreme-soduku-part-2.html Thu, 26 Jan 2006 11:24:00 -0800 Attention Mac OS 10.4 Tiger users! You can now access the Grey Matters blog directly from the Dashboard! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/announcing-grey-matters-dashboard.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/announcing-grey-matters-dashboard.html Mon, 23 Jan 2006 21:30:00 -0800 Attention Mac OS 10.4 Tiger users! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/extreme-sudoku.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/extreme-sudoku.html Sun, 22 Jan 2006 08:27:00 -0800 As with many other challenging feats, there are those who have to push the boundaries of Sudoku. If you're just starting out, you might want to refer to my earlier Sudoku introduction instead. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/time-on-your-mind.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/time-on-your-mind.html Wed, 18 Jan 2006 19:17:00 -0800 Just a quick note today. The cover story of the January 16, 2006 issue of TIME Magazine is called How To Sharpen Your Mind. Check it out! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/sudoku.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/sudoku.html Sun, 15 Jan 2006 18:05:00 -0800 Suuji wa dokushin ni kagiru! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/stack-attack-on-dvd.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/stack-attack-on-dvd.html Thu, 12 Jan 2006 21:12:00 -0800 Having been a friend of Lew Brooks for years, I was only too glad to recommend his Stack Attack book. I've also mentioned it in previous entries here. So, it gives me great pleasure to announce the release of the Stack Attack DVD! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/scott-hagwood-on-fox-news.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/scott-hagwood-on-fox-news.html Wed, 11 Jan 2006 16:20:00 -0800 Video of memory grandmaster Scott Hagwood can be seen over on FOX News's "FoxFan Central" page, talking about his new book, "Memory Power". http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/remember-simon-you-will.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/remember-simon-you-will.html Tue, 10 Jan 2006 08:45:00 -0800 Sherman, it's time to set the way-back machine to the early 1980s, to remember a popular game called Simon. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/five-simple-memory-techniques.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/five-simple-memory-techniques.html Sun, 01 Jan 2006 07:30:00 -0800 For those who like the idea of remembering things, but not spending time practicing mnemonic techniques, the people at the Interesting Niche Ideas blog may have just the thing for you. Thanks to them, you can learn Five Ways to Remember Practically Everything quickly and easily! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/happy-new-year.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2006/01/happy-new-year.html Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800 Happy New Year to one and all! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/12/25-years-of-rubiks-cube.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/12/25-years-of-rubiks-cube.html Thu, 22 Dec 2005 08:58:00 -0800 Before this year wraps up, it should be noted that this year saw the 25th anniversary of the Rubik's Cube's original release, so I figured it was time to revisit this classic puzzle. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/12/gift-guide-update.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/12/gift-guide-update.html Sun, 18 Dec 2005 16:24:00 -0800 What?!? You haven't finished your Christmas shopping for your favorite geek yet? In that case, I have some updates to the 2005 Grey Matters Gift Guide: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/12/corn-and-communists.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/12/corn-and-communists.html Sun, 11 Dec 2005 19:41:00 -0800 Here's a great post from John Biesnecker, an American who is currently living in China. He shares his experiences and often amusing personal mnemonics as he learns to read and write Chinese characters. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/12/enter-world-memory-challenge.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/12/enter-world-memory-challenge.html Sat, 03 Dec 2005 20:15:00 -0800 Even if you've never thought about competing in the World Memory Championships, about which I've written before, you may still wonder what it would be like, and how you would stack up. If so, I have great news for you! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/12/2005-grey-matters-gift-guide.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/12/2005-grey-matters-gift-guide.html Thu, 01 Dec 2005 13:47:00 -0800 So, you have a friend or family member who's a math and/or memory geek, but you're not sure what to get them for the holidays? Not to worry, the 2005 Grey Matters Gift Guide is here! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/friday-13th.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/friday-13th.html Sun, 27 Nov 2005 12:25:00 -0800 Thanks to a recent e-mail discussion with some friends who also share an interest in memory work, we've managed to devise a simple way to find out when and how frequently "Friday the 13th" will occur in a given year. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/site-feed-banner.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/site-feed-banner.html Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:52:00 -0800 Does your site have a banner? http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/grey-matters-site-feeds.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/grey-matters-site-feeds.html Sat, 26 Nov 2005 22:29:00 -0800 In order to make this site easier to use, I have made the content available via syndication and subscription. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/going-into-square.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/going-into-square.html Sun, 20 Nov 2005 07:23:00 -0800 Just when you think there's nothing more amazing about magic squares, someone goes and proves you wrong. I've run across some amazing magic squares, including ones that are gigantic, or work with multiplication instead of addition, or can be toured by a chess knight and so on. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/facing-challenge.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/facing-challenge.html Sat, 19 Nov 2005 21:09:00 -0800 Pi will always be geekily close to my heart. That is why the very first post on this blog was about Pi, and why the blog itself was started on Pi Day. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/perfect-recall.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/perfect-recall.html Tue, 15 Nov 2005 20:59:00 -0800 Checking around other blogs for items on memory techniques, I ran into what at first appeared to be the most incredible coincidences in blog history. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/explorers-magic-squares.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/explorers-magic-squares.html Mon, 14 Nov 2005 20:51:00 -0800 Over at the Explorer blog, Koh Xuan Yang has just posted some mind-boggling 9 by 9, 10 by 10 and 12 by 12 magic squares. Check them out, and be amazed! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/day-at-mindvention.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/day-at-mindvention.html Sun, 13 Nov 2005 20:13:00 -0800 Mindvention began here in Las Vegas today, over at the Palace Station Casino. Mindvention is a convention dedicated solely to mentalism. As I unfortunately didn't have the time available to attend the whole convention, I spent the afternoon in the dealer's room, and I'm glad I did! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/forums.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/forums.html Thu, 10 Nov 2005 17:21:00 -0800 Just when you think there's nothing more amazing about magic squares, someone goes and proves you wrong. I've run across some amazing magic squares, including ones that are gigantic, or work with multiplication instead of addition, or can be toured by a chess knight and so on. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/stacked-deck-work.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/stacked-deck-work.html Thu, 03 Nov 2005 19:26:00 -0800 As Doug Dyment points out there are trade-offs when working with memorized decks vs. sequential and algorithmic stacks. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/missed-opportunity.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/missed-opportunity.html Thu, 03 Nov 2005 11:23:00 -0800 Just a quick note for this entry. If you didn't download the "30 second Memorized Deck" PDF from Greg Webb's Free Trick download page, which I mentioned in an earlier entry, it has now been removed, and can no longer be downloaded. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/free-software-for-memory-training-part.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/11/free-software-for-memory-training-part.html Thu, 03 Nov 2005 09:18:00 -0800 Shortly after discussing memory training software in my previous post, I ran across another excellent free memory training program for Mac OS X. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/free-software-for-memory-training.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/free-software-for-memory-training.html Thu, 27 Oct 2005 16:36:00 -0700 If your curiosity was aroused when I wrote about the 2005 World Memory Championships, you can get a taste for how you would do at this memory training website, courtesy of former world memory champion Andi Bell. If you can do well enough against the current crop of competitors, you might even consider competing yourself! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/site-overhaul-complete.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/site-overhaul-complete.html Wed, 26 Oct 2005 22:24:00 -0700 I've made many changes to this site. Some are obvious and visible, and others aren't. Working from the noticable changes to the more subtle ones: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/whats-new-in-news.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/whats-new-in-news.html Sat, 22 Oct 2005 21:51:00 -0700 I'm constantly trying to update Grey Matters not only to make it more useful, but to make it easier to use, as well. Towards that end, I've just finished several changes that will help make it easier to find what you want on this site. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/mind-boggling-amount-of-mind-boggling.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/mind-boggling-amount-of-mind-boggling.html Thu, 20 Oct 2005 10:33:00 -0700 Prepare to be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Don't worry, however, I'll at least start slow. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/memory-in-moe-tion.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/memory-in-moe-tion.html Thu, 13 Oct 2005 08:33:00 -0700 In the new October 2005 issue of Genii, Karl Fulves (about whom I've written here before) writes up a great variation of the classic "Moe's Move-A-Card" routine, called "Moe's Memory". In the new Fulves version, you actually have two people switch cards in a shuffled deck, and you are able to determine them. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/troyis.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/troyis.html Mon, 10 Oct 2005 13:11:00 -0700 For those who don't find the Knight's Tour challenging enough, try Troyis. In Troyis, you use a knight to move around the board, but you can only move on the white squares, and you must land on each of the white squares before time is up! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/twain-crossing.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/twain-crossing.html Mon, 10 Oct 2005 08:30:00 -0700 Few people know that Mark Twain was interested in memory systems. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/knights-tour-excalibur.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/knights-tour-excalibur.html Thu, 06 Oct 2005 14:38:00 -0700 Paging through the October 2005 issue of MAGIC magazine, one ad in particular caught my eye. It was the Hocus-Pocus ad for Knight's Tour Excalibur by Devin Knight. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/new-tool-in-about-hour.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/10/new-tool-in-about-hour.html Thu, 06 Oct 2005 13:29:00 -0700 Over at the Magic Cafe, Davide Brizio is generously sharing his approach for memorizing a whole deck in an hour. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/09/mathpath.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/09/mathpath.html Sun, 25 Sep 2005 12:18:00 -0700 I've recently run across a site from a kindred soul called MathPath, which is available in English and French. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/09/two-great-ideas.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/09/two-great-ideas.html Sun, 25 Sep 2005 09:39:00 -0700 I noted earlier that one of Chris Wasshuber's own tricks was no longer available at his site, Lybrary.com. Happily, that has been rectified. Now the Ultimate Magic Square (in both King of Hearts and "That's Magic" versions) is available again. I described and reviewed this effect in my second blog post. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/09/new-layout-for-memoryeffectspdf.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/09/new-layout-for-memoryeffectspdf.html Sun, 18 Sep 2005 11:50:00 -0700 Inspired by the recent redesigns at sites like Lybrary.com and MagiCentric, I decided it was time for a little redesign of my own. For those of you who are thinking, "The blog looks exactly the same!", let me explain. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/09/ummm-wow.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/09/ummm-wow.html Sat, 17 Sep 2005 20:56:00 -0700 I've mentioned Chris Wasshuber's Lybrary.com site before, here. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/09/more-cafe-memories.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/09/more-cafe-memories.html Thu, 08 Sep 2005 20:12:00 -0700 Over at the Magic Cafe, which, by the way, is celebrating its 4th year in operation this month, there are quite a few interesting items of note: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/09/rss-change.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/09/rss-change.html Thu, 08 Sep 2005 15:15:00 -0700 Due to some compatibility problems, I have changed the name of the RSS feed for this blog from "greymatters.xml" to "greymatters.rss". Please update your RSS feed readers and links accordingly. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/quran-memorized-by-6-year-old-boy.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/quran-memorized-by-6-year-old-boy.html Sun, 28 Aug 2005 12:09:00 -0700 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on a remarkable feat. Young Safiyullah Khan of Georgia has memorized the entire Quran, despite being only 6. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/mental-knots.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/mental-knots.html Thu, 25 Aug 2005 10:06:00 -0700 The links in this entry, if nothing else, will at least get you wondering, "How do people come up with this stuff?" http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/brief-memory.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/brief-memory.html Sun, 21 Aug 2005 18:26:00 -0700 Sometimes, memory techniques aren't the main secret behind an effect. They are, instead, an aid for one part of the trick. The routines I've found below are great examples of how mnemonics can help aid tricks for which you normally wouldn't consider them. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/new-additions.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/new-additions.html Fri, 19 Aug 2005 20:48:00 -0700 I have two new addtions to this site: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/world-memory-championship-results.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/world-memory-championship-results.html Tue, 16 Aug 2005 06:32:00 -0700 The official results from last weekend's 2005 World Memory Championships are being released. Here are the winners and their amazing feats: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/2005-world-memory-championships.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/2005-world-memory-championships.html Sat, 13 Aug 2005 18:51:00 -0700 Starting today, the 3-day 2005 World Memory Championships are taking place at the Oxford University Examinations School. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/pasteboard-presentations-ii-update.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/pasteboard-presentations-ii-update.html Fri, 12 Aug 2005 19:58:00 -0700 My book, Pasteboard Presentations II, is now available in Europe. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/log-blog.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/log-blog.html Thu, 11 Aug 2005 18:50:00 -0700 It must be karma. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/right-memory-system.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/08/right-memory-system.html Tue, 09 Aug 2005 21:51:00 -0700 I've been asked about the "right", presumably meaning the most effective, memory systems. I've always maintained that any memory technique you use that helps you recall something effectively, is the right one for you. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/07/brain-fun-2.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/07/brain-fun-2.html Sun, 31 Jul 2005 21:37:00 -0700 For a little more brain challenging fun, I've discovered three mind-boggling on-line productivity killers: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/07/brain-fun.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/07/brain-fun.html Sun, 24 Jul 2005 10:17:00 -0700 This blog's motto, "Train and strain your brain to entertain," can give the false impression that brain work is hard work. Nothing could be farther from the truth. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/07/book-that-didnt-want-to-be-printed.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/07/book-that-didnt-want-to-be-printed.html Mon, 11 Jul 2005 20:17:00 -0700 Not only has Barrie Richardson's Act Two, the subject of several blog entries here, finally been printed, but I have my copy in hand. So, I can finally give you my first impressions of this long-awaited book. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/07/new-pi-world-record.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/07/new-pi-world-record.html Sat, 02 Jul 2005 19:31:00 -0700 The world record for reciting Pi was broken today. Akira Haraguchi recited Pi to 83,431 digits, almost doubling Hiroyuki Goto's 42,195-digit record. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/40-30s-4-15.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/40-30s-4-15.html Thu, 30 Jun 2005 18:17:00 -0700 What I'm about to describe isn't so much a performance piece. Instead, it's more of a tool to create an offbeat surprising moment when the opportunity presents itself. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/act-two-update.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/act-two-update.html Mon, 27 Jun 2005 19:35:00 -0700 Apparently, my Act Two: Lieber pun was prophetic. Barrie Richardson's new book Act Two was originally supposed to be released on June 3rd. As I mentioned in a quick update, this was later changed to June 24th. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/pasteboard-presentations-ii.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/pasteboard-presentations-ii.html Sat, 25 Jun 2005 07:16:00 -0700 Some of you may not know that I have a book out on the market called, "Terry LaGerould's Pasteboard Presentations II". It's the sequel to the much-sought-after Terry LaGerould's Pasteboard Presentations by Wayne Whiting. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/magic-squares-from-wonderland.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/magic-squares-from-wonderland.html Tue, 21 Jun 2005 20:31:00 -0700 I've written about magic squares before, but I've recently found one with a new twist. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/quick-snippets.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/quick-snippets.html Thu, 16 Jun 2005 17:51:00 -0700 Today's entry just contains a few quick items: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/question-of-character.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/question-of-character.html Thu, 09 Jun 2005 21:02:00 -0700 Performing persona is often discussed as if it were just one more option to add to your act. The truth is that the lack of a consistent performing character creates a large gaping hole in the performance that is easily detected by the audience. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/remembering-election.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/06/remembering-election.html Wed, 01 Jun 2005 18:09:00 -0700 Despite the title of this entry, I'm not changing this into a political blog. This entry concerns a trick created by Robert Neale called "The Election Game". http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/new-dennis-loomis-routine.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/new-dennis-loomis-routine.html Tue, 31 May 2005 22:44:00 -0700 Over at Dennis Loomis' Memorized Deck Magic page, he's just posted a new routine. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/15-minutes-of-fame.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/15-minutes-of-fame.html Tue, 31 May 2005 19:04:00 -0700 Earlier today, I was checking my referral logs, and I discovered a pleasant surprise. I was the number 1 link for two different Google searches, memorized decks and invisible deck arrangement. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/memory-effects-update.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/memory-effects-update.html Sun, 29 May 2005 08:12:00 -0700 I've just updated the MemoryEffects.pdf file with routines from the book, "The Mind and Magic of David Berglas" (See full contents here). http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/who-oh-him.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/who-oh-him.html Tue, 24 May 2005 20:53:00 -0700 Earlier this month, George Bernard Dantzig passed away at the age of 90. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/our-founder.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/our-founder.html Mon, 23 May 2005 20:49:00 -0700 If you have spent any time, as this blog's motto says, training and straining your brain to entertain, then you've more than likely run into Martin Gardner. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/new-link.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/new-link.html Sun, 22 May 2005 20:18:00 -0700 I've noticed in my web referral logs that several people have come over here from the AllMagic.com link. Welcome! A special thanks to whoever added my link to the site, as well. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/tour-agent.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/tour-agent.html Sun, 15 May 2005 13:55:00 -0700 The Knight's Tour, for those not familiar with it, is a puzzle involving a standard 8 by 8 chessboard, and the chess piece known as a knight. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/start-from-beginning.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/start-from-beginning.html Sat, 14 May 2005 07:51:00 -0700 Many of you may be interested in memory technique, but may not know where to start. For those of you who fit the description, and for future reference on this site, here are some excellent free courses in basic memory techniques that can be found on the web: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/problem-with-memorized-decks.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/problem-with-memorized-decks.html Thu, 12 May 2005 20:24:00 -0700 Euan, over at the Magic Den, posted an amusing list of why memorized decks are dumb. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/history-of-memory.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/history-of-memory.html Thu, 12 May 2005 15:57:00 -0700 With the recent rise in popularity of the memorized deck as a magician's tool, many think that memory techniques are a relatively recent development. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/my-cheating-days.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/my-cheating-days.html Mon, 09 May 2005 06:58:00 -0700 It seems like I've always been interested in recreational mathematics, since I first realized it could be fun. However, the interest in memory techniques came later, during college. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/act-two-lieber.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/act-two-lieber.html Fri, 06 May 2005 20:56:00 -0700 Hermetic Press has just announced that they are taking pre-orders for Barrie Richardson's "Act Two"! This is the sequel to his now-classic Theater of the Mind. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/youve-memorized-world-wide-web.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/youve-memorized-world-wide-web.html Tue, 03 May 2005 21:30:00 -0700 First, there was ipolygraph, which apparently used a lie detector to determine a chosen card. Then came Boondoggle, which proves, as we all know, that Google knows everything, including your selected card! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/quick-notes.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/05/quick-notes.html Tue, 03 May 2005 21:07:00 -0700 A few quick additions to Grey Matters: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/nu-2.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/nu-2.html Fri, 29 Apr 2005 20:17:00 -0700 Alain Nu's 2nd special has now aired (and will repeated back to back on Sunday with his first special - check your local listings). http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/nu-monics.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/nu-monics.html Tue, 26 Apr 2005 21:18:00 -0700 TLC is celebrating "Magic Week" this week. The programs that are the highlight this week are the David Blaine specials, and a new 4-part series by performer Alain Nu. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/others-memories.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/others-memories.html Wed, 20 Apr 2005 19:57:00 -0700 From the Mnemonics performances- are they still amazing? Magic Cafe thread, which I talked about in an earlier post, Dr. Wilson has a great new take on an old classic. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/dvdm.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/dvdm.html Wed, 20 Apr 2005 10:48:00 -0700 Feats like the magazine memory act are classic. However, to my knowledge, this feat hasn't been updated for modern media. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/memory-effects-galore.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/memory-effects-galore.html Sun, 17 Apr 2005 09:41:00 -0700 For some time now, I've kept a list of where to find memory-related routines as I ran across them. I've shared it here and there, but I've never really had a way to regularly share an updated list until this blog. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/when-it-rains-it-pours.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/when-it-rains-it-pours.html Mon, 11 Apr 2005 23:06:00 -0700 Thanks to several people who share the same interests, I have plenty to share with you in this post. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/outsmarter.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/outsmarter.html Mon, 11 Apr 2005 15:56:00 -0700 There's a great trick in the Book "Ah-Ha!" by David Harkey & Eric Anderson, called "OutSmart". In this routine, you ask the person for the name of their very favorite playing card. Once they've named it, you spell a phrase about their favorite card, and the spelling finishes right on the named card! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/free-festival-of-memory_08.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/free-festival-of-memory_08.html Fri, 08 Apr 2005 06:58:00 -0700 At Cameron Crowe's website, he reprints his 1976 Playboy article and interview with David Bowie (Warning: Discussion includes mature content). Included in the article reprint is this interesting paragraph: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/thank-you-doug.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/thank-you-doug.html Thu, 07 Apr 2005 20:02:00 -0700 In my website referrals, I've started to notice some visitors coming from a new location, the magic section of Doug Dyment's Web Portal. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/invisible-deck-mnemonic.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/invisible-deck-mnemonic.html Thu, 07 Apr 2005 19:53:00 -0700 In the Invisible Deck set-up, it's not difficult, with practice, to be able to determine which suits and values correspond to each other. The one difficulty that often arises, however, is the arrangement of the Kings, which don't follow the exact same pattern as the other cards. Many magicians have to double-check their thinking in order to make sure that the Invisible Deck is displayed to show the proper King at the finish. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/bird-watcher.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/04/bird-watcher.html Sun, 03 Apr 2005 22:18:00 -0700 Tenyo has a reputation among magicians as a maker of cheap plastic tricks that are only good for kids. While this reputation may be largely deserved, there are some hidden gems in the mix, as well. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/if-he-only-knew.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/if-he-only-knew.html Thu, 31 Mar 2005 20:06:00 -0800 "The Nikola card system idea is silly. Who in the heck can memorize an entire deck of cards?" http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/grand-unified-square-theory.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/grand-unified-square-theory.html Thu, 31 Mar 2005 13:57:00 -0800 If you're interested in learning about magic squares, the April 2005 issue of Genii magazineis a must-buy! http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/memory-special-on-cnn.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/memory-special-on-cnn.html Sun, 27 Mar 2005 19:10:00 -0800 I just happened to turn to a special on memory on CNN. If you're reading this on March 27th, it will be repeated at 10 PM Pacific Time (1 AM Eastern March 28th). If you're reading this too late to catch the special, you can still read the companion article. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/mnemonic-performances-at-cafe.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/mnemonic-performances-at-cafe.html Thu, 24 Mar 2005 18:30:00 -0800 Over at the Magic Cafe, a new topic has just been posted, and it is one very close to my heart. The topic is Mnemonics performances- are they still amazing?. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/memory-slate.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/memory-slate.html Tue, 22 Mar 2005 21:13:00 -0800 A friend of mine just forwarded me an article from Slate, entitled Forget Me Not: How to Win the U.S. Memory Championship. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/self-working.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/self-working.html Mon, 21 Mar 2005 21:44:00 -0800 Karl Fulves is most well-known for his series of "Self-Working" book series from Dover. If you dig a little further into his works, you learn about his other works, such as the magazines "Pallbearer's Review", "Epilogue" and "Chronicles" (some of the most read things in my personal collections!). http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/old-paths-new-directions.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/old-paths-new-directions.html Thu, 17 Mar 2005 15:21:00 -0800 Working with the presentations of others, I often get inspired by them. Here are some of my own ideas that are currently turning gears in my head. I don't claim they're good, bad or indifferent, only that they are occupying my grey matter: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/free-can-be-good.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/free-can-be-good.html Tue, 15 Mar 2005 21:48:00 -0800 I've talked about numerous commercial products, so it's about time to balance that out with some free links to some memorization and lightning calculation feats: http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/kindred-souls-memory-and-cards.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/kindred-souls-memory-and-cards.html Tue, 15 Mar 2005 21:15:00 -0800 As many of you will see, this blog will cover mental feats of both of the type used by competition memorizers and lightning calculators and the type used by magician. The term "magician" implies that there is some sort of cheating and, in the context of this blog, that legitimate memory technique isn't being used. While cheating is stock in trade for magician, anything that can made amazing (especially by making it hidden) is a potential tool for the magician, including classical and modern memory techniques. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/finally.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/finally.html Mon, 14 Mar 2005 20:44:00 -0800 Probably the biggest recent news in the field of memory work is the release of the e-book version of Dominic O'Brien's "How to Develop A Perfect Memory"from Lybrary.com. http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/happy-pi-day.html http://headinside.blogspot.com/2005/03/happy-pi-day.html Mon, 14 Mar 2005 07:03:00 -0800 Welcome to my brand new blog. As my subheading suggests, this blog is all about entertaining mental feats and related thoughts. What better day on which to start a blog like this out on than Pi Day (3/14)? It also happens to be Albert Einstein's birthday!