In the realm of memory enhancement, mnemonics stand out as remarkably effective tools, often embracing a touch of absurdity to aid recall. As we reflect on the stunning images of Pluto captured by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft – a mission spanning nine years and three billion miles, granting us our first detailed look at this “icy dwarf planet” – the enduring question resurfaces: why, even with decades of advancements in planetary science, does “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” remain the quintessential key to remembering the order of our planets?
The answer, it seems, is nestled within the peculiar power of the nonsensical.
Personally, I’ve yet to encounter a mnemonic I didn’t appreciate. They are invaluable for memorizing even the most mundane facts and sequences, adaptable to anyone’s personal preferences. If only more aspects of life were this accommodating – politics, perhaps? Unlike the periodic table or multiplication tables, ingrained through rote memorization, or catchy jingles for state names, mnemonics offer a flexible, brain-friendly approach. They don’t confine themselves to a single method; they mold to the diverse ways our minds operate. And we know how much our brains appreciate a good mental toolbox.
The planetary mnemonic “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” is just one facet of the mnemonic spectrum. Other common types include visual mnemonics, spelling aids like the “i before e” rule, and musical mnemonics like the alphabet song. Perhaps the most prevalent are word mnemonics, such as “Never Eat Shredded Wheat” for cardinal directions (North, East, South, West), or initial-letter mnemonics like “ROY G BIV” for the colors of the rainbow (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet). And yes, “ROY G BIV” is indeed an acronym, a close cousin in the mnemonic family, beloved for its concise memorization power. Acronyms, in essence, are simply a specialized form of mnemonic.
The versatility of mnemonics is truly boundless.
However, while mnemonics enjoy widespread popularity and effectiveness, Pluto, ironically, has faced the opposite – a struggle for recognition. Often diminished for its size (smaller than Earth’s moon) and portrayed as a desolate, frigid world, Pluto suffered a major blow in 2006. It was unceremoniously reclassified from planet to “dwarf planet” by the International Astronomical Union. Their reasoning: Pluto failed to meet the full criteria for planet status. To be a planet, an object must orbit the Sun, be spherical, and have “cleared the neighborhood” around its orbit of other celestial bodies. This demotion was a significant setback for the icy body many had grown to know and love; Pluto, it appeared, struggled to gain respect.
One might even argue Uranus, with its name, would be more prone to ridicule.
Then, remarkably, in July 2015, images from New Horizons revealed a world that National Geographic described as “stunningly alive.” Nitrogen glaciers, carbon monoxide and methane ice, and evidence of active geological processes sparked renewed debate about Pluto’s planetary classification. And perhaps thankfully so, because “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine” simply feels incomplete.
“My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” minus the “Pizzas” is akin to the tedium of “A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y.” Why only “sometimes” Y? Yes, Y can be a consonant, but it deserves full inclusion in the vowel club. Don’t leave it in limbo, caught between categories, like Pluto itself. Frankly, without Pluto represented, “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” requires a serious update. But hasn’t it always been a bit… off?
For starters, if this mother is so “very educated,” wouldn’t she be engaged in pursuits of greater significance than pizza service? Perhaps cancer research or developing global water recycling solutions? And considering her education, wouldn’t she know that nine pizzas are excessive? A balanced meal with salad and lean protein would be more appropriate. In essence, “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” is, undeniably, a rather absurd mnemonic. Keeping Pluto in the planetary family – advocating for planetary inclusivity – what could be better mnemonics to help people remember the planetary order?
“May Vic’s Enthusiasm Merit Jumping Sandwiches Under Nightly Patrol.” A late-night sandwich patrol sounds perfectly reasonable. “Mayor Vows Euphoria Makes Jury Sentence Upper Ninth Precinct.” Perhaps a bit too complex for young learners. “Melinda’s Vest Eats More Juice Slicing Up Nonsense Pasta.” Nonsense pasta does have a certain appeal. Or, consider: “Mary’s Violet Encrusted Maserati Justifies Solitary Use Not Publicity.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, we may have a winner.
“Mary’s Violet Encrusted Maserati Justifies Solitary Use Not Publicity” is, arguably, perfect. It not only provides a memorable phrase for recalling planetary order but also subtly imparts a lesson in humility to younger generations. You might one day possess a dazzling purple Maserati, Mary, but perhaps enjoy it discreetly, in your own driveway.
Perhaps that’s a broader lesson. It’s not just about how we remember essential information, but that we remember it and glean the underlying wisdom. We can debate planetary classifications or the perfect mnemonic phrasing, but our time is finite (and you won’t recover these past minutes). In that limited time, we need to acquire knowledge, navigate life, strive to be kind, maintain humility even with a violet Maserati, and, eventually, pass on.
Ultimately, even if “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” seems ridiculous, if it aids your memory, continue using it. While a new mnemonic may be proposed, what truly matters is that people understand the order of planets in our solar system. Decades from now, as violet Maseratis potentially navigate space, the critical point will be planetary awareness, not the specific mnemonic used to achieve it. And it won’t matter if the creator of “Mary’s Violet Encrusted Maserati Justifies Solitary Use Not Publicity” still relies on “Never Eat Shredded Wheat” for directional guidance.
