Swiftword

Swiftword is a text based tachistoscope application. Essentially it is a speed reader - you feed it a text file containing the content you want to memorise, and then play the file through word by word at progressively faster speeds whilst watching it.

Eventually, your subconscious begins to anticipate the next word before it is even delivered as your memory begins to retain the information. This can be used to help you memorise things like speeches and course notes, and can even assist slow readers to learn to read faster by avoiding sub-vocalising words as you read.

This can prove useful for students studying for a test, preparing for an important speech at work and many other uses...

 

What is a tachistoscope?

A tachistoscope is a device that displays (usually by projecting) an image for a specific amount of time. It can be used to increase recognition speed, to show something too fast to be consciously recognized, or to test which elements of an image are memorable.