Hi dennis08,
There is really a lot to cover about memory training, I really suggest you fetch the book or audio by Harry Lorayne or Kevin Trudeau. Harry Lorayne memory system is Mnemonics (word based association) and Kevin Trudeau is Photographic (visualization based association). Both are excellent, combine them together, its astonishing
(yes, yes, yes... I can hear some you in the background... Kevin is a con artist... all Im saying is that with my own personal use of his program, it actually works and I prefer his system than Harry's. Actually, it was Harry's program that I stumbled upon first. Im not appraising the author but appraising the product)
The reason my advice is to learn memory enhancement first is because I personally believe that the more knowledge (information) you can absorbed and recall, then you are slighty given an edge when it comes to solving problems. Now, the more problems/challenges you encounter in life and the more you solve these puzzles, I believe your intelligence increases.
Here is an eg: No matter how creative Einstein may be. If he didnt study and learn the foundation of physics then he wouldnt be able to solve the equation. We need a foundation or ground knowledge first to work with.
So here is the equation:
*Lack of memory = less absorption of information and inability to remember information = lack of knowledge and difficulty in learning = low intelligence
*Good memory = more absorption of information and greater ability to remember information = faster learning = more bag of knowledge attained + more experience + (creative thinking) = more intelligence.
You can find the books in your local library... Memory enchancement is priceless... and the books are not boring, you will actually find the exercises very easy and fun... I think amazon sells them under $20 dollars.
Once you've improved your memory or learned how to use it properly, then it is the best time to pick any subject you can think off and learn that subject with ease; philosophy, science, poetry, chemistry, biology, etc...
Memory improvement is like learning your ABC's. Without learning your ABC's you wouldnt be able to contruct sentences and words. A Subject or information is like a sentence or words. You can't contructs them properly without learning your ABC's. You cant learn an information if you dont remember it.