The promise of technology is that it can help augment ourselves. And we might think it does. However, knowledge is still packaged in linear formats. Books. Websites. Podcasts. Linear sequences of single ideas. The learning materials we have today are more comprehensive and multimedia than they used to be. But we can’t really build a second brain with linear knowledge.
Knowledge is a web. A network of connected ideas. Very similar to the structure of the human brain, ideas connect and build upon one another. Pathways are strengthened with repeated use.
With linear knowledge, you can form these connections yourself. However, it requires a lot of diligence to discover and remember these links.
I am optimistic though. I’ve noticed a growing number of people building out knowledge networks. Either through their use of existing mediums (twitter). Or by creating their own mediums out of scratch.
Couple of the best resources I’ve found in the area.
- As We May Think. Foundational essay printed in 1945. This is where it all starts. Vannevar Bush and his Memex.
- Ted Nelson. Started Project Xanadu in 1960. A visionary ahead of his time.
- Andy Matuschak. An amazing set of networked online notes.
- @visakanv. He’s the most networked twitter user I have ever seen. Go down the rabbit hole.
- @fortelabs. He’s a hub for people building a second brain. Probably because he has a company that trains people for how to do it.
- Obsidian. New startup with a networked note-taking app. Very promising.
- Roam. More established startup geared towards researchers. Also with a networked note-taking app.
- Zettelkasten. Both a company and a method (slip box) for taking networked notes. Every note has a permanent identifier that can be referenced by any other note.
The promise of a knowledge network has been around for decades, but it might finally be coming to fruition. This is really exciting. Networks always win.