Writer and lecturer Eran Katz holds the record for memory exercises. In his new book, he explains how simple techniques can make us all memory whizzes.

Doesn’t technological progress make all those techniques superfluous? Is there still any significance to memorization? Are you familiar with the argument of futurist Ray Kurzweil? He claims we no longer have any need for memory based on memorization. But in the future I’ll be able to put a small hard disk inside my brain. And to remember by using it.

Meanwhile technology is placing a big burden on us. It’s also constantly becoming more sophisticated, increasingly tempting. I can’t count how many times a day I repeat the motion of picking up my iPhone and looking at emails and messages. […]