On taking Notes, The Zettlekasten Way.
On taking Notes, The Zettlekasten Way.
Emergent structure, creativity and retrivability
Introducing an emergent note taking strategy. That will help you make the most of the knowledge you consume and make it usable.
The Zettlekasten method, is a method of externalising your ideas (taking notes), seeking the connections, and building a knowledge base that is easily retrievable. Since I was 11 I have been taking notes, but for the most part they are lost forever.
I started the year researching ‘memory’, to see if that was a potential solution. It turns out what is required is a system or retrieval. And the ONLY way to have a good system of retrieval, is a good filing system.
The problem with filing systems is you start with the categories. This is a problem because without the content, you’re not able to decide on the categories. The idea of a Zettlekasten is to create atomic notes that reveal their structure via the connection between them.
The benefits of the practice is
a command of the knowledge you have amassed. (So you don’t waste time reading books then forgetting the content)
A system for generating creative ideas outside your brain, by linking the ideas you collect.
It’s enjoyable
Here’s a brilliant 12 minute video to introduce the whole thing.
Thanks for this! I’m a huge nerd and sucker for Obsidian.
I don’t use the full Zettelkasten method, but I do use atomic notes. I recently came across Milo’s ‘ACCESS’ folder structure, which was also great because it meant that my left hand panel had some sense to it. It was a good way of making the best of folders as well as links.
I think Tiago’s similar structure is call PARA.
Anyway - I could talk to you about this all day! If you use something similar to Obsidian where you get a node graph of your notes, I’d like to trade pictures!