3 ms·

A few weeks ago I started splitting knowledge between that which is worthy enough (for me) to remember via flashcards and spaced repetition, and that which I do

by hiq 3y ago

A few weeks ago I started splitting knowledge between that which is worthy enough (for me) to remember via flashcards and spaced repetition, and that which I don't need to even write down anywhere. Meaning, in practice, that I don't feel the need to have a proper note-taking system. I just need proper flashcards, which I already have in Anki. I just started this split so maybe I'll come back to it, realizing limitations I'm not aware of yet, but at least for now I feel way better not having a proper note-taking workflow. Compared with Zettelkasten-based systems, this might make it harder to add connections between pieces of knowledge, but I never got around to actually using a Zettelkasten so I am not entirely sure what I'm missing. On the other hand, one's brain is IMHO the best way to connect pieces of knowledge together, and recalling the vertices frequently might be enough to recall the edges of this knowledge graph as well. I haven't seen this (lack of) "approach" mentioned before so I'm curious if I'm alone with this realization and mistaken somehow.

MichaelNolan 3y ago
You’re not alone. My “note taking” is essentially what you described. I do have a single google doc where I paste temporary notes though. This gives me a space where I can properly decide to either delete the content, or ankify it.
senjin 3y ago
This is basically what I tried to do using the spaced repetition plugin for Obsidian but it's just not very good yet. I just checked and the author asked for a co-maintainer yesterday. I really hope they can find someone to put a bit of time in because it's a great idea and a great foundation. https://github.com/st3v3nmw/obsidian-spaced-repetition/ https://github.com/st3v3nmw/obsidian-spaced-repetition/
machomaster 3y ago
Why not combine both? Make notes in Obsidian, but add the information worth memorizing as Anki cards inside the Obsidian?
- hiq 3y ago
  What's the point of Obsidian in this case, since all the useful information is already in Anki by definition of "useful" (see previous comment), thus eventually (after a few reviews) in my brain?
  - machomaster 3y ago
    Not all information needa to be remembered. Most of useful information should just be easily available. It's good to have a single place for all of that with the ability to easily move stuff from one place to another. It saves a lot of time and effort as well as makes everything work in the first place (you are making notes, actively thinking what to write, what is generally important and what is super important to be memorized; that process alone makes your thinking and memory clearer and better).
    - hiq 3y ago
      > Not all information needs to be remembered. So that's where I'm experimenting with this stance: it's either useful and I'm better off remembering it, or it's useless and I don't even need to write that down (see my first comment in this thread). > It's good to have a single place for all of that with the ability to easily move stuff from one place to another. Why aren't our brains better places for this, provided we can retain the information? With SRS such as Anki, the cost of remembering the information on top of writing it down is negligible, and once I remember it, why would I write it down in some other system?
      - machomaster 3y ago
        >it's either useful and I'm better off remembering it, or it's useless and I don't even need to write that down No, that's obviously not how the universe and information work. Pareto principle here at play as well. > Why aren't our brains better places for this Because they aren't. That's a strange question. Reality is reality., Our brains are not made for remembering (rote memorization; a mere 3-7 items can be short-term remembered and juggled with at one time), but for thinking and making connections. Computers are amazing at storing information, but can't think. If one is smart, he utilizes the strengths of tools/opportunities that are available to him instead of using them inefficiently.

by hiq 3y ago

MichaelNolan 3y ago

You’re not alone. My “note taking” is essentially what you described. I do have a single google doc where I paste temporary notes though. This gives me a space where I can properly decide to either delete the content, or ankify it.

senjin 3y ago

This is basically what I tried to do using the spaced repetition plugin for Obsidian but it's just not very good yet. I just checked and the author asked for a co-maintainer yesterday. I really hope they can find someone to put a bit of time in because it's a great idea and a great foundation. https://github.com/st3v3nmw/obsidian-spaced-repetition/ https://github.com/st3v3nmw/obsidian-spaced-repetition/

machomaster 3y ago

Why not combine both? Make notes in Obsidian, but add the information worth memorizing as Anki cards inside the Obsidian?

hiq 3y ago
What's the point of Obsidian in this case, since all the useful information is already in Anki by definition of "useful" (see previous comment), thus eventually (after a few reviews) in my brain?
- machomaster 3y ago
  Not all information needa to be remembered. Most of useful information should just be easily available. It's good to have a single place for all of that with the ability to easily move stuff from one place to another. It saves a lot of time and effort as well as makes everything work in the first place (you are making notes, actively thinking what to write, what is generally important and what is super important to be memorized; that process alone makes your thinking and memory clearer and better).
  - hiq 3y ago
    > Not all information needs to be remembered. So that's where I'm experimenting with this stance: it's either useful and I'm better off remembering it, or it's useless and I don't even need to write that down (see my first comment in this thread). > It's good to have a single place for all of that with the ability to easily move stuff from one place to another. Why aren't our brains better places for this, provided we can retain the information? With SRS such as Anki, the cost of remembering the information on top of writing it down is negligible, and once I remember it, why would I write it down in some other system?
    - machomaster 3y ago
      >it's either useful and I'm better off remembering it, or it's useless and I don't even need to write that down No, that's obviously not how the universe and information work. Pareto principle here at play as well. > Why aren't our brains better places for this Because they aren't. That's a strange question. Reality is reality., Our brains are not made for remembering (rote memorization; a mere 3-7 items can be short-term remembered and juggled with at one time), but for thinking and making connections. Computers are amazing at storing information, but can't think. If one is smart, he utilizes the strengths of tools/opportunities that are available to him instead of using them inefficiently.