--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once I'd reached the point where I could…" description: "\"Once I'd reached the point where I could squirrel away more than 30 digits a minute in memory palaces, I still only sporadically used the techniques to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/joshua-foer-4147_cell-phone_once-i-d-reached-the-point-where-i-could_1572637.png" --- # Once I'd reached the point where I could squirrel away… ![“Once I'd reached the point where I could squirrel away more than 30 digits a minute in memory palaces, I still only sporadically used the techniques to memorize the phone numbers of people I actually wanted to call. I found it was just too simple to punch them into my cell phone.” quote by Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/joshua-foer-4147_cell-phone_once-i-d-reached-the-point-where-i-could_1572637.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/joshua-foer-4147_cell-phone_once-i-d-reached-the-point-where-i-could_1572637.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/joshua-foer-4147_cell-phone_once-i-d-reached-the-point-where-i-could_1572637.png) > “Once I'd reached the point where I could squirrel away more than 30 digits a minute in memory palaces, I still only sporadically used the techniques to memorize the phone numbers of people I actually wanted to call. I found it was just too simple to punch them into my cell phone.” [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even with strong memory techniques, convenience can outweigh effort for simple tasks. **In simple terms:** He still prefers typing numbers into his phone. Key Takeaway Balance effort with practicality. Themes memory techniques convenience technology Mood contemplative practical Type self‑help cognitive. When to use this quote - everyday tasks - personal productivity - learning strategies Key Concepts cognitive load habit formation digital tools Questions to Reflect On - When is it worth using memory skills? - How does technology affect mental exercise? A Different Perspective May undervalue the benefits of mental training. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cell phone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cell-phone/) [Digits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/digits/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) [Palaces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/palaces/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Phones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phones/) [Squirrels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/squirrels/) [Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technique/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [Now more than ever, as the role of memory in our culture erodes at a faster pace than ever before, we need to cultivate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/now-more-than-ever-as-the-role-of-memory-in-our-culture-erodes-at-a/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [“How we perceive the world and how we act in it are products of how and what we remember...No lasting joke, invention, insight, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/how-we-perceive-the-world-and-how-we-act-in-it-are-products-of-how/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [Well, David Eckstein, like most of us, has 20 digits. Ten fingers. Ten toes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-mccarver/well-david-eckstein-like-most-of-us-has-20-digits-ten-fingers-ten-toes/) [Tim McCarver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-mccarver/) > [“Life was less of a mystery for every digit that age handed over to him. Time, however, became more cryptic and dealt in destructive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayendra-abeywardane/life-was-less-of-a-mystery-for-every-digit-that-age-handed-over-to/) [Gayendra Abeywardane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayendra-abeywardane/) > [Anyone who considers arithmetical methods of producing random digits is, of course, in a state of sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-von-neumann/anyone-who-considers-arithmetical-methods-of-producing-random-digits/) [John von Neumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-von-neumann/) > [“One two, one two, Type a word or two. Arrow left, arrow right, Keep those fingers nice and tight. Keys up, Keys down, Move…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazz-feylynn/one-two-one-two-type-a-word-or-two-arrow-left-arrow-right-keep-those/) [Jazz Feylynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazz-feylynn/) > [Hey I just met you, and this is crazy but here's my digits so fuck me crazy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitchell-sakundiak/hey-i-just-met-you-and-this-is-crazy-but-here-s-my-digits-so-fuck-me/) [Mitchell Sakundiak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitchell-sakundiak/) > [Give me your digits jot down your address. I'll bet you confess when you put me to the test.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaggy/give-me-your-digits-jot-down-your-address-i-ll-bet-you-confess-when/) [Shaggy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaggy/) > [The largest known prime number is 2^32582657-1. I am proud to say that I memorized all its digits-in binary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-pomerance/the-largest-known-prime-number-is-2-32582657-1-i-am-proud-to-say-that/) Carl Pomerance > [Any one who considers arithmetical methods of producing random digits is, of course, in a state of sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-von-neumann/any-one-who-considers-arithmetical-methods-of-producing-random-digits/) [John von Neumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-von-neumann/) > [“In our current number system, if you multiply 111,111,111 by itself, you get the rather pleasing 12,345,678,987,654,321 (all the digits count up from 1…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-parker/in-our-current-number-system-if-you-multiply-111-111-111-by-itself/) [Matt Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-parker/) > [“Luck is not some esoteric, godlike phenomenon. Luck is countable but undefinable. Luck easily can be explained by a number of factors acting in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/csaba-gabor/luck-is-not-some-esoteric-godlike-phenomenon-luck-is-countable-but/) [Csaba Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/csaba-gabor/) > [They call me Mr. Roberts when I'm in the bank. Digits like the Dodgers when it come to franks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-ross/they-call-me-mr-roberts-when-i-m-in-the-bank-digits-like-the-dodgers/) [Rick Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-ross/) > [Do u know d logic of 143(love)(one four three)? Ur birth year's last 2 digits+ur current age+33=143 for every one. Try this very intresting..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/butterfly-kisses/do-u-know-d-logic-of-143-love-one-four-three-ur-birth-year-s-last-2/) Butterfly\_Kisses > [“I'll never be the size that has single digits and my thighs will always touch when I walk but I'm ok with that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-jamison/i-ll-never-be-the-size-that-has-single-digits-and-my-thighs-will/) Sugar Jamison ## More by Joshua Foer > [Jonah Lehrer is one of the most talented explainers of science that we’ve got. What a pleasure it is to follow his investigation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/jonah-lehrer-is-one-of-the-most-talented-explainers-of-science-that/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [“I don’t think I’m an exceptionally bad reader. I suspect that many people, maybe even most, are like me. We read and read and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/i-don-t-think-i-m-an-exceptionally-bad-reader-i-suspect-that-many/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [Life seems to speed up as we get older because life gets less memorable as we get older.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/life-seems-to-speed-up-as-we-get-older-because-life-gets-less/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [“We can only think about roughly seven things at a time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/we-can-only-think-about-roughly-seven-things-at-a-time/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [With our blogs and tweets, digital cameras, and unlimited-gigabyte e-mail archives, participation in the online culture now means creating a trail of always present,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/with-our-blogs-and-tweets-digital-cameras-and-unlimited-gigabyte-e/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [How much are we willing to lose from our already short lives by losing ourselves in our Blackberries, our iPhones, by not paying attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/how-much-are-we-willing-to-lose-from-our-already-short-lives-by/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [“I Came away from the U.S. Memory Championship eager to find out how Ed and Lukas did it. Were these just extraordinary individuals, pridigies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/i-came-away-from-the-u-s-memory-championship-eager-to-find-out-how-ed/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [The 'OK Plateau' is that place we all get to where we just stop getting better at something. Take typing, for example. You might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/the-ok-plateau-is-that-place-we-all-get-to-where-we-just-stop-getting/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [“One book, printed in the Heart’s own wax / Is worth a thousand in the stacks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/one-book-printed-in-the-heart-s-own-wax-is-worth-a-thousand-in-the-2/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [Languages are something of a mess. They evolve over centuries through an unplanned, democratic process that leaves them teeming with irregularities, quirks, and words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/languages-are-something-of-a-mess-they-evolve-over-centuries-through/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [Invented languages have often been created in tandem with entire invented universes, and most conlangers come to their craft by way of fantasy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/invented-languages-have-often-been-created-in-tandem-with-entire/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [“Perhaps, as Borges concludes in his story, it is forgetting, not remembering, that is the essence of what makes us human.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/perhaps-as-borges-concludes-in-his-story-it-is-forgetting-not/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [Someday in the distant cyborg future, when our internal and external memories fully merge, we may come to possess infinite knowledge. But that's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/someday-in-the-distant-cyborg-future-when-our-internal-and-external/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [What makes things memorable is that they are meaningful, significant, colorful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/what-makes-things-memorable-is-that-they-are-meaningful-significant/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [“As the historian Jocelyn Penny Small pointed out, GODISNOWHERE comes out a lot differently when rendered as GOD IS NOW HERE versus GOD IS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/as-the-historian-jocelyn-penny-small-pointed-out-godisnowhere-comes/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) [Explore all 114 Joshua Foer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) ## More Cell phone quotes > [“What you’re holding in your hands is a BookShots Flames story. It’s part of a revolution in reading. Hand-picked by James Patterson, BookShots Flames…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ciotta/what-you-re-holding-in-your-hands-is-a-bookshots-flames-story-it-s/) Beth Ciotta > [“Kindle Paperwhite 3G models use the same technology as cell phones, so they are dependent on cellular coverage areas. By default, a 3G device…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amazon/kindle-paperwhite-3g-models-use-the-same-technology-as-cell-phones-so/) amazon > [“I’m not sure how the ponies happened, though I have an inkling: “Can I get you anything?” I’ll say, getting up from a dinner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloane-crosley/i-m-not-sure-how-the-ponies-happened-though-i-have-an-inkling-can-i/) [Sloane Crosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloane-crosley/) > [I like everything with a heaping dose of feminitity, including my cell phone. I created this phone for the classic woman, who like me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimora-lee-simmons/i-like-everything-with-a-heaping-dose-of-feminitity-including-my-cell/) [Kimora Lee Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimora-lee-simmons/) > [“People were sitting together, talking and telling stories face-to-face again, instead of staring at a cell phone screens while texting or chatting with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-foster/people-were-sitting-together-talking-and-telling-stories-face-to-face/) [Mike Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-foster/) > [“To me, at least in retrospect, the really interesting question is why dullness proves to be such a powerful impediment to attention. Why we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/to-me-at-least-in-retrospect-the-really-interesting-question-is-why/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [“Another night then,' Mom said. 'Maybe on the weekend we can have a barbecue and invite your sister.' 'Or,' I said turning to Rafe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/another-night-then-mom-said-maybe-on-the-weekend-we-can-have-a/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [Girls are like cell phones they love to be held and talked to but whewn you press the wrong buttons you will be disconnected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/superman/girls-are-like-cell-phones-they-love-to-be-held-and-talked-to-but/) Superman > [Sometimes life really sucks. Then I see your name pop up on my cell phone and I cant help but smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-life-really-sucks-then-i-see-your-name-pop-up-on-my-cell/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I remember one point seeing I had like 60-some different cell phones. I know I only use one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-kosar/i-remember-one-point-seeing-i-had-like-60-some-different-cell-phones/) Bernie Kosar > [Cell phones are so convenient that they're an inconvenience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/cell-phones-are-so-convenient-that-they-re-an-inconvenience/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“The history of the sexual vanguard in America was a long list of people who had been ridiculed, imprisoned, or subjected to violence. 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Political scientists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance/was-my-first-indication-that-the-policies-of-mamaw-s-party-of-the/) [J.D. Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-vance/) [Browse all 982 Cell phone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cell-phone/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Once I'd reached the point where I could squirrel away more than 30 digits a minute in memory palaces, I still only sporadically used the techniques to memorize the phone numbers of people I actually wanted to call. 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