Social Hacking

I lost the key to my apartment the other day. Well lost might be the wrong word, I misplaced it somewhere in my apartment. So I went around looking for them for maybe a quarter of an hour. My apartment is not that big, there are not that many places to look. However, I could not find the key. Then I remembered the art backtracing. If there is a really term for what I did, I don't think it's backtracing. But that is what I am going to call it. Just like the GDB command. If you know what GDB is I award you with 3 geek points (congrats!).

Backtracing is to look or think at the events leading up to where you are right now. I knew that the key had to be inside the apartment, since I was able to get in. After entering I remember turning my mp3 player off, and hanging of my jacket. Then I took my shoes of and placed them next to the door. I went into my living room (which also serves as bedroom, dining room, etc.) and threw my backpack om my bed. Then I sat down in front of my computer. At this point I knew that my key was placed somewhere along that path (my life is exciting, isn't it?).

So I tried to think a little harder of what I did and I remember placing my mp3 player on the drawer in the hall. So I went there to look. Next to my mp3 was my wallet. I figured that my key should not be far way now, so I started to look around the drawer. I found nothing and gave up my search (there is a point, wait for it.). The next morning I had to find my key and after short consideration I decided that my key had to be close to the drawer. So I going threw the compartments and there the key was, in the bottom of my drawer with socks.

This is a good example of how backtracing can be used and how to perform a backtrace. Backtracing is also a great way to exercise your memory. Take a couple of minutes to think about what you did before you sat down in front of your computer. How did you find my blog? (no seriously, I want to know)

If you get really good at backtracing your memory will automagically improve. If you have not read my blog before I recommend that you read the post about creating paths (post 3). This is exactly what backtracing is about. Remembering one bit in the past will open new paths into your memory so that you remember more. When you are for example trying to find your keys, think of what else you did while losing them and your brain will handle the rest.