School of Phenomenal Memory??

[fainaent]

Hello everyone.

My name is Zachary. I think it's important that you consider me, not only a real person, but a sincere one, and one of your friends

I took the course last year, I started in August and finished in the end of November. There are a few things that I hear over and over and over that I want to address. I hope I don't sound contentious, I don't ever mean for it to be that way. The reason I'm posting this is because GMS has dramatically improved my life, and I want to share that improvement with other people.

'Does it work?'
Yes, it works Every kind of information is covered in the course, so by the time you graduate, you've already memorized foreign alphabets, foreign words, foreign phrases, medical terminology, law code, names, phone numbers, addresses, terminology, tables, etc, etc...


'The Loci method is available for free at wikipedia. Why do they sell techniques?'.
All of the techniques used in GMS are free, too. You can find them in the GMS Manual. Yes, some of them are similar to techniques you might be familiar with, and that has to do with how the course was developed. Proven techniques were implemented together with newly developed techniques to create a modern, master system.

Let me say this again: The course is not about techniques. If all you want are the techniques, read the GMS manual, but I promise you, it will do you very little good compared to what you will get from the course. Knowing the techniques isn't good enough. You need to make them natural to you. You need to have the visualization ability, attention control, and mental capacity to sit down for hours at a time and have all of your focus be on the images you are connecting. Otherwise, you will *never* see the potential of your memory. It's like the difference between buying a book about workouts, and having a personal trainer that is there to guide you, not only at the gym, but in your nutrition, attitude, etc...

'So you learn to memorize phone numbers... How is that useful?'
Ironically, the best part about my phenomenal memory isn't that I can memorize books. It's that I never have to worry about forgetting someone's name, or their number/birthday/address, etc. That's because I care more about how I interact with people than just about anything else. BUT... anything can be memorized with GMS. Like I said above, medical terminology/anatomy, law code, textbooks, foreign phrases... anything

'Memorization is useless... Understanding is key'
This is a very good point. If you memorize the phrase 'bom dia', but you don't know what it means, what's the point? In GMS, the simplest, fastest, and most effective way to memorize something, especially in complicated textbooks, is to understand it. However, if there is something that you don't understand, you can still memorize it. Think of it this way. You can take the part of your textbook you don't understand, put it in your mind, and carry it with you. Then you can mull it over, think about it, compare it to other data you have memorized(you'll never, ever make connections between information if you don't have any in your mind). Also, looking at things from a very visual point of view can help tremendously in the learning process.

Another point to the understanding aspect is foreign words. If you encounter a new foreign word, you don't understand it. When you memorize the word and it's meaning(both are memorized together in GMS), you understand the word. The process of encoding data into visual images is based off of understanding.

'Ok then, what have you memorized lately?'
I'm happy to share my experiences. I started up a blog, and I'll be updating it with the projects I'm working on. Even though right now I only have about an hour a day to spend on studying, I'm getting a lot out of it. If you want to talk about how it's working for me, the effectiveness of it, or anything else, check out my progress at:
Memory-Improvement Blog

[Brutha]

My name is Zachary. I think it's important that you consider me, not only a real person, but a sincere one, and one of your friends

If your blog is right you actually are a teacher of that course.
Dishonesty is a bad marketing tool.
DarkSide lied before about giving refunds and said here that he had never been asked for a refund at a time when he gave Shlomo from nlpweekly a refund.

[pianoperformer]

Originally Posted by Brutha

If your blog is right you actually are a teacher of that course.
Dishonesty is a bad marketing tool.
DarkSide lied before about giving refunds and said here that he had never been asked for a refund at a time when he gave Shlomo from nlpweekly a refund.

Just to clarify, Zachary, from what I know, once took the course and then chose to become an instructor. I talked to him over IM when I was debating on whether or not to take it, and he was one of the major deciding factors. He was so different than the attitude portrayed by the owner on the forums and here, and was really nice and understanding about everything and talked about his own experience with the course.

[Brutha]

He was so different than the attitude portrayed by the owner on the forums and here, and was really nice and understanding about everything

He might be a nice guy, but telling someone that you are "real person, but a sincere one, and one of your friends" without mentioning that you are actually financially profiting from the sale of the product and a employee of the firm is simply dishonest.

When making a decision whether to trust someone with the claims that he makes, it has an effect is that person is dishonest.

[fainaent]

Yeah, I am an instructor of the online course. I remember when I was taking it, all the questions I had, and all the help I received. It was invaluable. Had I only had the printed lessons, I would have gotten through the first half of the course in twice the time, and given up. Considering how valuable my improved memory is to me today, I simply feel the need to help others do the same.

[fainaent]

Originally Posted by Brutha

He might be a nice guy, but telling someone that you are "real person, but a sincere one, and one of your friends" without mentioning that you are actually financially profiting from the sale of the product and a employee of the firm is simply dishonest.

When making a decision whether to trust someone with the claims that he makes, it has an effect is that person is dishonest.

Sorry. I state at the top of my blog that I am an instructor of the course. I'm not hiding from that. I didn't consider not telling you everything about me as dishonesty, I just didn't think to fill my post with everything about GMS and me. That would take up too much space

I personally value my integrity very highly. It's very difficult for me to lie under any circumstance, so Brutha, I'm truly sorry if you took my post as dishonest.

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by DarkSide

Before you say something about Pmemory, read the website. We offer No-Questions-Asked LIFETIME GUARANTEE. There is no better money back guarantee possible.

Right now if someone wants to get a refund, I will give them refund. You all have your own head. If you want to sit and watch tv and hope for a miracle that would change your life, - Our school is not for you. It is about real training and real result, - like working out in the gym.

HOW did you change so "quickly"!? Frankly, after seeing what you have said about not learning from books, refunds, and calling others liars, I figure I shouldn't bother getting your product. You do a GREAT job of looking like Ruslan, and everyone seems to believe you are, etc.... so I can trust what you say against yourself. The people that say great things might be PLANTS!

[naerey]

Hi, this is my first post on this thread, though I've been following Steve for a while..

Personally I'm very interested in the course, especially because of what it promises.

I've read the whole thread here (geez, it's 1am already!), but.. I've got some questions.

Ok - so, you manage to complete the course well and get to apply the whole thing.
1. Do you need to keep practicing the lessons? Is it like playing piano - if you stop for 2-3 months, you'll have a hard time getting back on it?
One thing is practicing the method, another is keep studying the method...

2. I've only heard of people that have started using this thing, but nobody that completed the course and used the method for a while has said a word..
Is it because people stop using it because they start forgetting it?
Reminds me of the Uberman Sleeping method... yes you can apply it and learn it.. but it's impossible to use for long in our society. Is this the case?

[fainaent]

Originally Posted by naerey

Hi, this is my first post on this thread, though I've been following Steve for a while..

Personally I'm very interested in the course, especially because of what it promises.

I've read the whole thread here (geez, it's 1am already!), but.. I've got some questions.

Ok - so, you manage to complete the course well and get to apply the whole thing.
1. Do you need to keep practicing the lessons? Is it like playing piano - if you stop for 2-3 months, you'll have a hard time getting back on it?
One thing is practicing the method, another is keep studying the method...

2. I've only heard of people that have started using this thing, but nobody that completed the course and used the method for a while has said a word..
Is it because people stop using it because they start forgetting it?
Reminds me of the Uberman Sleeping method... yes you can apply it and learn it.. but it's impossible to use for long in our society. Is this the case?

1 - It's not so much about the methods or techniques. After all, they are offered for free in the GMS manual. It's about having a skill-set needed for fast, efficient memorization. Through the course, students develop the mastery of the techniques, visualization ability, attention stability, and mental capacity required to really have a phenomenal memory. Like any other skill, there are different levels. You can be bad, ok, good, great, superb, etc... With memorizing it's the same way. If you really want to have your mental clarity and memorizing ability on a completely different level, you only need to keep using it.

If you do stop using it for an extended period of time, however, it only takes a few days get yourself back to the level you were at.

2 - Most people that finish the course just go back to their lives and use it. There are a few graduated students that I still talk to occasionally. I have a friend using GMS in his college studies in Florida. A lady that was taking the course at the same time as me was using it to memorize the official scrabble dictionary last time I talked to her... They don't write up reviews and create websites and take the time to re-write on forums everything they have memorized.

Sometimes, though, some people do Honestly, I hate writing about what I'm memorizing. It seems to take twice as long to write it down as it does to memorize it. I think it's beneficial though, for people to see projects like that, which is why I created my blog in the first place.

-Zachary

[naerey]

Thanks for clearing up...

I've read some of the GMS manual and... this is what troubles me most:

Figurative codes are widely used as instruments of speed memorization.
The system of encoding numbers into images is based upon the following alphanumeric
code: 1 – N, 2 – THZ, 3 – B, 4 – WVK, 5 – FR, 6 – JPX, 7 – SD, 8 – GQL, 9 – C, 0 –
M. Figurative codes for two-digit and three-digit numbers are provided in a reference
book.

Tell me if I got this right:
I'll have to assign some strange letters to each number (from 1 to 1000 apparently??) and remember them very good.
And with this I'll be able to memorize long strings of numbers... thanks to the letters?

But isn't memorizing the 'table' of numbers>letters *very hard* and easy to forget?? Sound's crazy to me..

[fainaent]

Originally Posted by naerey

Thanks for clearing up...

I've read some of the GMS manual and... this is what troubles me most:


Tell me if I got this right:
I'll have to assign some strange letters to each number (from 1 to 1000 apparently??) and remember them very good.
And with this I'll be able to memorize long strings of numbers... thanks to the letters?

But isn't memorizing the 'table' of numbers>letters *very hard* and easy to forget?? Sound's crazy to me..

Here is how the alpha-numeric code works. Every number has a letter as you provided. The letters are used to create useful images for memorization. So for example, the number 30 would be broken down into 3=B and 0=M. You take the letters and choose a word for your image: B+M = BeaM(I imagine a metal construction beam).

Now, all of these 'image-words' are provided for you in a reference book, so you don't even have to worry about creating your own. There are special techniques used to learn these codes, different from rote-repetition. By the time you finish the first section of the course, you will have all the codes for 00-99 memorized to a reflex level.

For numbers 000-999, you can memorize them at your leisure. Knowing the alpha-numeric code allows you to very easily create a new image for a new three-digit number if you don't have/don't want to use the reference book.

-Zachary

[machoman]

Originally Posted by DarkSide

Everything is explained in the GMS Manual! All the Science! and it is very hard to fake HUNDREDS of testimonials and users + their posts in the forum. Anyway, I agree with you and maybe one day our School will be credible enough for you.

Good luck, I have nothing to add to this discussion.

Hello darkside,
Can you see what pianoperformer is really asking you?
Well, I think you need to reread those posts pianoperformer posted.
He's asking you to tell your qualifications and asking you to tell your experiences about how you created this course.

[markus1971]

Dear friends:

I'm interested in the SPM course, but i'm spanish. I understand english well. I read everyday books and webpages written in english, but i think i can have problems with the alphabetics systems. I want to ask to anybody who knows the course, if i can do it.

Thanks.

Markus

[dydde]

How is this course compared to Photoreading? can you use it to read fast aswell? its kind of hard to start both courses

[fainaent]

I haven't taken the photoreading course, but the pmemory course will get you into really good mental shape... You'll feel like a fog has been lifted from your mind, your thoughts will be clearer and sharper. As far as reading goes, the pmemory course will teach you how to remember anything you want to, so you won't have to read/reread/reread, etc...

I'm still not sure about the photoreading step of Photoreading, but from the research I've done on the course, all the other steps are very powerful tools for study of a text. GMS works well with speed reading, with most speed reading you learn to stop consciously reading the words and just allowing the images that come from the text to flow through your mind... GMS allows you to memorize all of these images, so you can essentially memorize all non-precise(e.g. non-numerical) information in a text very quickly.

[fainaent]

Originally Posted by markus1971

Dear friends:

I'm interested in the SPM course, but i'm spanish. I understand english well. I read everyday books and webpages written in english, but i think i can have problems with the alphabetics systems. I want to ask to anybody who knows the course, if i can do it.

Thanks.

Markus

The alpha-numeric system isn't as difficult as it sounds... You will have images provided in a reference book for all numerical figurative codes, so you don't even have to make your own if you don't want to... the only time you would use the alpha-numeric code is if you run into a new 3-digit number that you haven't learned yet... with the code you can create an image very quickly, in any language... for instance, you could use perro if you ran into the number 655. In any case, the letters don't matter very much, because you won't think 'perro', you will just see the image, and think 655...

[Fountain]

Hey all,
I just joined the forums,
I've been looking at this pmemory thing for the last week or so and this seems to be the forum that has the best discussion.
I noticed that a few people had signed up,
I'm currently studying for my exams and I think that this would be useful for it if it works,
Not because I cant work stuff out but just because I have an aweful memory :']
Anyway,
I've been on the website and tbh it doesnt exactly scream safe...
No offence,
Anyway, I noticed Freelancer signed up for this course and has a fair few number of posts under his belt. (Sorry if your a girl :P)
And I was wondering how it went?
I saw that you wrote it wasn't an easy thing to do,
Which is fine but I wanted to know whether it really works or if it is just a waste of £150.

Andy.

[Trustme]

I suggest you PM him for info.

[Fountain]

Okay thanks for the advice.

[Sinister]

Here I have three questions for students or (former) members of the school of phenomenal memory.

(1) Is the way to memorise complete textbooks is similar to mindmapping?
(2) How foreign languages will be learned?
(3) Is the course is actualy the same as tony buzan's course?

These are important questions for me because of the high fees they ask to become a student of the school. I must mentions that I have read the e-book
and I have read the testimonials of the (former) students.

Tnx for helping me with these questions!!!

[forgetfulone]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum. I'm particularly interested in improving my ability to recall specific bits of information at an instant where it might take someone five minutes to look up by computer. I'm a lawyer and need the ability to know all kinds of cases for authorities for propositions to recite to judges on my feet. I also need to be able to recall what someone said in a meeting or in court. Hence, I'd like a memory system to be able to help me recall whole books of procedure and hundreds of cases, as well as be able to repeat with accuracy with someone said in a meeting or in court. If anyone has taken the GMS course, can he or she tell me if it would help me do that? Any help you can provide would be greatly appeciated.

[Foggy]

I've been working on this a lot lately. The whole premise of the course is basically that the mind only remembers connections between ideas and that the mind best remembers connections between images. The first section is primarily used to train you to be able to visualize things in high detail with your eyes open. This is hard work and exercises your focus quite a bit. I would like to say though, that aside from some of the shoddy advertising, this course seems to be genuine. The instructors are helpful get to you within a day or less of posting. I have never seen or heard a single person complain about the course not working, only that they didn't have enough time or determination to complete it. On the other hand, plenty have commented on it being effective. At this point I think they would have to be running a very efficient scam in order for this not to be legitimate.

[magi13]

^,^ I'd like to see this system tested on the world memory championships. A test is still the best way to see if something is effective or not after all.

[magi13]

I'm not going to say this is a scam guys, but I'm not also going to say it's different from tony buzan's or dominic o'brien's method. What's nice about phenomenal memory is that it gives you practical exercises which in dominic's book seem to lack and on tony buzan's touches only a glimpse (use your memory).

To say this is different from other methods of memorization is a lie.

Similarities To those who are curious

Chain technique (pmemory) vs link technique/story method of dominic o'brien and tony buzan

analysis "absolutely the same"

the romanian doll vs link technique and story method

the romanian doll is the same only that it gives you an easy method and more explained method to link. Kudos to pmemory for this.

The ceicero method(pmemory) vs the method of loci (dominic)

absolutely the same. the difference is that dominic explained it in simpler terms.

alternative? to this for those who want to learn? connect little journeys with a peg system. (that's what I usually do.)

the alphabet code of pmemory vs the major system or vs the dominic system

it's very similar to the major system so i am sure it'll work. The major system is easier for me. The dominic system is really for the hard core but it is effective.

There is no difference

Negative about pmemory

It is clothed with technical terms. Blah, they could have just made it user friendly like Dominic (hehe my idol)

It's expensive.

The return money back guarantee sucks.

Tony buzan's work is good too only that it keeps on redigesting old works. :3 mindmap in itself is godsend.

Positive about pmemory

Good exercises

skip the scientific parts and you'll learn something from the exercises

it will improve your memory provided you followed the exercises to heart.

Final judgment?

If you're learning a new memory method, this is not for you. If you're looking for the exercises which I love this is for you.

Some basic sites below will help you with the method.

www(dot)memorise(dot)org

that website offers the very basics of memory w/o rote memorization which is simpler and if you give focus on it and practice the exercises given there will give you the geist of the phenomenal memory techniques. ^^

www(dot)wikihow(dot)com/Memorize

That one above will give you a wonderful article about memorization which I've applied and can say works.

Both links give free information.

^,^

If your serious about memorization phenomenal memory really will improve your memory. Else, you can check or google free sites which gives the same more simpler explanation to your needs.

-magi

[Brutha]

^,^ I'd like to see this system tested on the world memory championships. A test is still the best way to see if something is effective or not after all.

The key problem with memory improvement lies in learning a method and getting into the habit of applying that method in daily life.

Therefore the world memory championship test is bad since it doesn't test the important things.
It's only the proof of concept that there is a way to improve memory.

The goal of any memory course isn't to be able to do a deck of cards in a minute but to be use the technique with information in daily life.
That a different problem.

Middleterm memory that you need to memorize something for a few minutes is also something different than longterm memory.

If you simply want the theory behind pmemory you get it by reading their ebook. They actually sell a course that intents to tech memorisation that you will be able to use in daily life.

(3) Is the course is actualy the same as tony buzan's course?

The buzan course happens to be a course where you go to Tony Buzan for a day and he tries to teach you how to work with your memory in a crash course.
The pmemory course happens to be an online course.
Online course != crash course

[magi13]

Originally Posted by Brutha

The key problem with memory improvement lies in learning a method and getting into the habit of applying that method in daily life.

Therefore the world memory championship test is bad since it doesn't test the important things.
It's only the proof of concept that there is a way to improve memory.

The goal of any memory course isn't to be able to do a deck of cards in a minute but to be use the technique with information in daily life.
That a different problem.

Middleterm memory that you need to memorize something for a few minutes is also something different than longterm memory.

If you simply want the theory behind pmemory you get it by reading their ebook. They actually sell a course that intents to tech memorisation that you will be able to use in daily life.

I did and their lessons up to 59 as well as the extras. ^,^ anyway that was my previous post, if you read my later post I'm commenting on the system and I found it to be exactly alike with the ones that tony buzan or dominic o'brien or even paul sheele is selling on the market.

The difference is it has loads of memory exercises which commit to the memory of the person what they need to learn.

To say it's a new way to memorize? No it is not. To say it is ineffective, it is effective. To say it applies on real life? The system used by Dominic Obrien and Buzan are similar to their system which are applicable in real life too.

Originally Posted by Brutha

The key problem with memory improvement lies in learning a method and getting into the habit of applying that method in daily life.

Therefore the world memory championship test is bad since it doesn't test the important things.
It's only the proof of concept that there is a way to improve memory.

The goal of any memory course isn't to be able to do a deck of cards in a minute but to be use the technique with information in daily life.
That a different problem.

Middleterm memory that you need to memorize something for a few minutes is also something different than longterm memory.

If you simply want the theory behind pmemory you get it by reading their ebook. They actually sell a course that intents to tech memorisation that you will be able to use in daily life.

The buzan course happens to be a course where you go to Tony Buzan for a day and he tries to teach you how to work with your memory in a crash course.
The pmemory course happens to be an online course.
Online course != crash course

I guess that's the difference (packaging) but i was referring to the techniques used and methods taught. The basics were the same and so were the principles. Pmemory explained some points more than dominic or buzan, but on some points it made somethings more complicated.

Still, like I said, I tried it, tested it and compared it. It's similar it's not different or original, what makes it great is only that it has wonderful exercises which tony buzan or dominic o'brien failed to put on their book.

[Brutha]

To say it applies on real life? The system used by Dominic Obrien and Buzan are similar to their system which are applicable in real life too.

The amount of people that use a memory system in daily life is quite small.

How much of the people who read Buzans book will be using a memory system in their daily life five years after they read the book to memorize other books (information that doesn't follow a clear pattern)?

I happen to know a lot of people that don't. If I would guess, I would say less than 1%.

That metric is a lot more interesting than knowing how many seconds the best person that learned the system needs to memorize a deck of cards.

[magi13]

Originally Posted by Brutha

The amount of people that use a memory system in daily life is quite small.

How much of the people who read Buzans book will be using a memory system in their daily life five years after they read the book to memorize other books (information that doesn't follow a clear pattern)?

I happen to know a lot of people that don't. If I would guess, I would say less than 1%.

That metric is a lot more interesting than knowing how many seconds the best person that learned the system needs to memorize a deck of cards.

You don't need to use memory system either pmemory or buzan's/loraine's/o'briens and the greeks to survive in this world. You can use lists, your computer, planners and assistants, but we must remember we are talking about here is Pmemory in comparison with others.

Now that we have established the issue, both tackles on memorizing right? Yes, both claim that they are applicable? I've tested both, it may vary on people (that applies to both too). Any differences I've noticed? The pmemory alphabet is similar to the major system or dominic system. The ceiciro method is similar to the roman room system/the journey system. The free item association is just like the roman room system or dominic's key word location system. They both mention the chain/link or story method.

Sure not everyone will use these in their daily life, but I do, I need it in my studies so I'm checking to further use my memory and possible improve it.

Add me to that one percent.

Anyway, I just want to say they are similar. That's the only thing I'm stating here.

They may be different in packaging. But similar in teaching. Does pmemory work? Sure it does, but it's no different than the other memory techniques.

[yeti]

Originally Posted by Brutha

The amount of people that use a memory system in daily life is quite small.

How much of the people who read Buzans book will be using a memory system in their daily life five years after they read the book to memorize other books (information that doesn't follow a clear pattern)?

I happen to know a lot of people that don't. If I would guess, I would say less than 1%.

That metric is a lot more interesting than knowing how many seconds the best person that learned the system needs to memorize a deck of cards.

Morning Brutha,
This is a great site. I am considering a memory course (including pmemory), and am really interested in your comments above. I have little interest in spending 100+ hours to become a card-remembering freakshow, but would love to be able to retain knowledge, particularly when trying to cross reference between books I read, and therefore be able to make connections / construct arguments which, if I were to rely on piles of notes, I could never do.

So to you (and anyone else) I have the following questions:
1) Are you saying you reckon 1% of people who have done memory courses use them in real life, or that you reckon 1% of the population use memory techniques in their lives?
2) Does this ever become unconscious? I would say that many learned skills can become unconscious at a basic level, but the oft used analogy of working out is the opposite: you have to keep struggling on if you want to stay in shape.
3) Linked to the above, how much of a real-life distration is the remembering part, (ie are you constantly staring off into the distance trying to visualise, peg, create stories while the rest of the conversation is happening)?
4) Where is it most useful? Is it just that you dont have to look for your car keys any more, or can you start to see links between information that you would otherwise have not?

Could anyone replying just let me know if they have an interest in a memory improvement company.

The cost of the course is pretty large, but the opportunity cost of 100+ hours is HUGE, so all responses much appreciated.

ps Ive just had a kid and can confidently say that the quickest and cheapest was if improving your memory instantly is to give up alcohol. I anticipate this will last about two weeks.

[romanianmnemonist]

Originally Posted by yeti

Morning Brutha,
This is a great site. I am considering a memory course (including pmemory), and am really interested in your comments above. I have little interest in spending 100+ hours to become a card-remembering freakshow, but would love to be able to retain knowledge, particularly when trying to cross reference between books I read, and therefore be able to make connections / construct arguments which, if I were to rely on piles of notes, I could never do.

So to you (and anyone else) I have the following questions:
1) Are you saying you reckon 1% of people who have done memory courses use them in real life, or that you reckon 1% of the population use memory techniques in their lives?
2) Does this ever become unconscious? I would say that many learned skills can become unconscious at a basic level, but the oft used analogy of working out is the opposite: you have to keep struggling on if you want to stay in shape.
3) Linked to the above, how much of a real-life distration is the remembering part, (ie are you constantly staring off into the distance trying to visualise, peg, create stories while the rest of the conversation is happening)?
4) Where is it most useful? Is it just that you dont have to look for your car keys any more, or can you start to see links between information that you would otherwise have not?

Could anyone replying just let me know if they have an interest in a memory improvement company.

The cost of the course is pretty large, but the opportunity cost of 100+ hours is HUGE, so all responses much appreciated.

ps Ive just had a kid and can confidently say that the quickest and cheapest was if improving your memory instantly is to give up alcohol. I anticipate this will last about two weeks.

I can only talk about pmemory because it is the only memory course I took but I can't imagine I would be using any of it if I just read the book. It is a skill, you learn to read and write by practicing with the right methods untill the entire sistem is reflex in your brain. So I agree that people who just read memory books can't really apply it. The comparrison between mere knowledge versus skill answers your other concerns as well: yes it becomes partially unconscious as you don't need to think about techniques, you just use them, it works just like the reading and writing skill in this regard. It is does not create reall life distractions, it depends on your level but you generally don't need to look away in order to visualize or anything, I can do it whille reading, talking to people, watching documentaries etc. Oh and it's not only for finding your keys or remembering numbers, it works for paractically any factual information, any concepts like science for example.

If you do decide for this, know that it takes some effort and dilligence but to me the results more than make up for it. If you really want to understand the principles of pm I recommend the free manuall: http://www.pmemory.com/improve_memory-adr.php