1/26 Roam-Fu III: Beyond the Empire
In a few months, I predict we'll start seeing Zettelkasten masterpieces, but ATM the best ZK I've seen is not in Roam. It is [[@andy_matuschak]]'s notes.andymatuschak.org
This is what I learned from the master of computer-assisted thinking.
In a few months, I predict we'll start seeing Zettelkasten masterpieces, but ATM the best ZK I've seen is not in Roam. It is [[@andy_matuschak]]'s notes.andymatuschak.org
This is what I learned from the master of computer-assisted thinking.
2/ His evergreen notes are solid. But, more importantly, we should look at what the notes have produced. First, what does [[@andy_matuschak]] want to accomplish? He is pretty clear:
3/ I'm still in the middle of this work of his with [[@michael_nielsen]]. Based on what I've read, I'm already convinced that I should study his process. When you taste an unbelievably delicious dish, you need to know the recipe numinous.productions/ttft/
4/ Caveat: this is my interpretation of his workflow. I link to the original sources so you can see for yourself. I first relay what I understand, then share how I adapt them in my own process.
5/ High-level workflow
1. Reading inbox
2. Transient notes
3. Writing inbox
4. Evergreen notes
5. Speculative outlines
6. Writing
1. Reading inbox
2. Transient notes
3. Writing inbox
4. Evergreen notes
5. Speculative outlines
6. Writing
6/ Zero-inbox appears to be his principle behind 5.1 and 5.3. The reading inbox is a triage area. The work is deciding whether to:
- throw away
- read seriously (ie, take notes)
- read shallowly (add to references)
- added to another list (eg, recipes)
notes.andymatuschak.org/z3N113rxPFreW9…
- throw away
- read seriously (ie, take notes)
- read shallowly (add to references)
- added to another list (eg, recipes)
notes.andymatuschak.org/z3N113rxPFreW9…
7/ Transient notes = "fleeting notes" in the [[@soenke_ahrens]] book. He uses a pocket notebook. Pages with notes are ripped off for processing: ""But as scratch thoughts look like they might have legs, they get extracted into a note in my writing inbox" notes.andymatuschak.org/z28QkpK3vRKQTa…
8/ The writing inbox is a collection of transient notes. During his zettelkasten session, he selects notes that strike him and works on **the basic unit of intellectual work**: creating evergreen notes. notes.andymatuschak.org/A_writing_inbo…
9/ Evergreen notes should be:
1. Atomic
2. Concept-based
3. Connected, synthezised and distilled as a result of grappling with ideas
1. Atomic
2. Concept-based
3. Connected, synthezised and distilled as a result of grappling with ideas
10/ "It’s best to create notes which are only about one thing—but which, as much as possible, capture the entirety of that thing." notes.andymatuschak.org/z4Rrmh17vMBbau…
11/ "It’s best to factor [[Evergreen notes]] by concept (rather than by author, book, event, project, topic, etc). This way, you discover connections across books and domains as you update and link to the note over time" notes.andymatuschak.org/z6bci25mVUBNFd…
12/ Connecting, synthesizing and distilling notes mean grappling with ideas. "Understanding requires effortful engagement" notes.andymatuschak.org/zX1WtJ4ouE8sjN…
13/ Connecting notes forces us to "think expansively about what other concepts might be related to what we’re thinking about. It creates pressure to think carefully about how ideas relate to each other." notes.andymatuschak.org/z2HUE4ABbQjUNj…
14/ A key part in engagement with an idea is to name it. [[@andy_matuschak]] suggests that they should be declarative or imperative, have sharp claims and could act like APIs between ideas. notes.andymatuschak.org/z3XP5GRmd9z1D2…
15/ "Normally, we start an outline when we start a writing project. This forces us to start with a blank page. By contrast, if we write new notes every day and notice how they relate to each other, these can accumulate into potential writing projects." notes.andymatuschak.org/z2uXyfV67dnWLU…
16/ "if you’ve already written lots of concept-oriented [[Evergreen notes]] around the topic, your task is more like editing than composition." notes.andymatuschak.org/z3PBVkZ2SvsAgF…
17/ Work habit: he uses the first 2 hrs each day for zettelkasten work. "I usually begin by opening my writing inbox [...] and flipping through those prompts and incomplete notes." notes.andymatuschak.org/zVFGpprS64TzmK…
18/ Here are my applications and adaptations of these lessons.
I gave up on zero inbox back in 2004. It is the same with my reading list. They are like free-flowing rivers. I pick up something interesting when my hands are free.
I gave up on zero inbox back in 2004. It is the same with my reading list. They are like free-flowing rivers. I pick up something interesting when my hands are free.
19/ For fleeting notes, I follow the practice in the [[@soenke_ahrens]] book. I write on the nearest piece of paper, post in Twitter or note in Google Keep.
20/ Material to be made to evergreen notes are also like a river. My solution is to [[Treat zettels as tools to manifest vision or inspiration, crafted so that they could be reused by your future self.]]
21/ For titles, my rule of thumb is that they should sound as biblical as possible (see my attempt in the previous tweet). Or at least like a line from Dune.
22/ Here's how I create speculative outlines. I call them protodrafts.
23/ Creating threads like this is now a key part of my workflow. The dopamine from your likes and retweets propels my monkey brain lol. There is clear user feedback on topics that resonate. And, most importantly, ideas develop from our conversations.
24/ I prefer the fluidity of "zettels"—notes that are as developed as they need to be to manifest inspiration or vision—over the apparent rigidity of "evergreen notes".
25/ Even [[@andy_matuschak]], who might have coined "evergreen note" feels the need to abandon the term "note"
26/26 #roamfu is now a trilogy!
