DAY 14/30
I've spent 7 days reading Niklas Luhmann Estate's docs on his Zettlekasten, (so you don't have to.) 😅
Here are 5 surprising truths I found.
#ship30for30 @ship30for30
#zettelkasten
All images are properties of niklas-luhmann-archiv.de
I've spent 7 days reading Niklas Luhmann Estate's docs on his Zettlekasten, (so you don't have to.) 😅
Here are 5 surprising truths I found.
#ship30for30 @ship30for30
#zettelkasten
All images are properties of niklas-luhmann-archiv.de
1. 90,000 notes sounds more impressive than it looks.
This is his Zettelkasten, the German word for "slip-box". All notes were organized into 24 drawers and 3 filing trays (top left).
Not impressed? I don't blame you.
But the concept behind it might change your mind...
This is his Zettelkasten, the German word for "slip-box". All notes were organized into 24 drawers and 3 filing trays (top left).
Not impressed? I don't blame you.
But the concept behind it might change your mind...
2/ His Zettelkasten's main purpose was to generate surprise.
He focused on organizing and constructing his notes, so he can "talk" to it. Every part of this process has its purpose. His notes are meant to lead him down paths he wasn't thinking about.
This was done in 3 parts...
He focused on organizing and constructing his notes, so he can "talk" to it. Every part of this process has its purpose. His notes are meant to lead him down paths he wasn't thinking about.
This was done in 3 parts...
3/ Main notes (Permanent notes as described by S. Ahrens)
75% of his 90k notes look like this. Short notes with links.
- Red numbers point to follow-up notes
- Darker blue text below is a quote from a book
- Long numbers in the top-right point to notes from a different location
75% of his 90k notes look like this. Short notes with links.
- Red numbers point to follow-up notes
- Darker blue text below is a quote from a book
- Long numbers in the top-right point to notes from a different location
4/ Reading notes (S. Ahrens called these literature notes)
As Luhmann read, he kept notes, but he separated them from his main notes.
These were kept next to the index in the last drawer but also spilled into the 3 filing trays.
As Luhmann read, he kept notes, but he separated them from his main notes.
These were kept next to the index in the last drawer but also spilled into the 3 filing trays.
The previous image shows he noted short notes along with their page numbers from the book.
"While reading, Luhmann did not excerpt directly into the box, but only created the slips of paper in a second step based on his reading notes."
Source - niklas-luhmann-archiv.de/nachlass/zette…
"While reading, Luhmann did not excerpt directly into the box, but only created the slips of paper in a second step based on his reading notes."
Source - niklas-luhmann-archiv.de/nachlass/zette…
5. Index
He used an index as his primary entry point into his notes.
There were roughly 4450 keywords, each pointing to a maximum of 4 notes. (represented by a unique ID).
These were stored inside the last drawer on 317 pieces of paper, sorted alphabetically.
He used an index as his primary entry point into his notes.
There were roughly 4450 keywords, each pointing to a maximum of 4 notes. (represented by a unique ID).
These were stored inside the last drawer on 317 pieces of paper, sorted alphabetically.
Interested in implementing a digital version of your own Zettelkasten?
Sign up for a starter guide!
getrevue.co/profile/kingin…
Sign up for a starter guide!
getrevue.co/profile/kingin…
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