the question about how to write a zettel and connect it into the train of thoughts

cong_quack

when reading a striking passage from a book, my brain generates an idea that matches a zettel already in the slip-box. So, at what level of linking do I present the new zettel?

1. Link at the random "note-to-note" level, and add context about why I'm linking between the two notes

2. Link at the "train of thoughts" level: I have to spread out the related notes, read through them, and finally write down an idea from the book that matches the cluster of notes.

JasperMcFly

either one

georgeraraujo

If it matches a zettel already in the slip-box, why would you make a new one? Just add a reference to the book to the zettel already in the slip-box.

andang76

If I understood correctly, I use both, even at the same time when it is useful.

A thought can directly relate to other siblings, or can be a part of a more general, broad thought.

I use "structures" (simple bullet lists, in the end) for materialize train of thoughts into my Zettelkasten.
I can have a direct link to the zettel A into the zettel B, so A is related to B, and/or both A and B links are contained in a zettel or structure note S, so both A and B have a "part-of" relationship with S and have an indirect relationship betwen themselves as elements of S. And their position into S can have a meaning too.

S helps me to have the "overview" of the train of thought, while links like A<-->B help me to explore the space following direct relationships between some component notes.

I can see that there is a relationship between A and B
1) seeing if A contains a link to B or B contains a link to A (for example A "contradicts" B )
2) seeing that A and B belong both to S (A and B both "help to describe" S)
3) seeing if A and B are "very close", especially if they are siblings or parent-child, in the same branch, into S (A and B are "close" together in the context of S)

I may need all three (direct relationship, cluster membership, proximity relationship into a context), so it is useful to consider all of three options.

2 and 3 seems the same but they are not. Positions of A and B into S can be relevant. This is why I don't like tagging and automatic backlinking, they create "flat" and unordered clusters.

andang76

.

cong_quack

@georgeraraujo said:
If it matches a zettel already in the slip-box, why would you make a new one? Just add a reference to the book to the zettel already in the slip-box.

Because i am obeying on A6-note rule.

cong_quack

@andang76 said:

I use "structures" (simple bullet lists, in the end) for materialize train of thoughts into my Zettelkasten.

The structure-note (S) you mentioned is quite similar to an entry-point of Ahrens or an atomic-note that Christian mentioned. It means that the overview of the train of thought will be in the S note, you will look through the S note, then you put a new idea into your train of thought. Right?

I understand the situations that you talked below in your comment, because in the book How to take smart notes has been mentioned those situations many times.

I feel confused about the above 2 connection methods, because I see that users of zettelkasten analog cannot edit their entrypoint, they have to read through the related notes in a cluster in ID order before allowing a new idea to appear in their cluster. But I forgot that I can use (S/Atomic/Entrypoint) to summarize the train of thought. And I can edit the contents of S as the cluster grows over time.

cong_quack

@andang76 said:
.

Thank you, Đặng

georgeraraujo

@cong_quack said:

@georgeraraujo said:
If it matches a zettel already in the slip-box, why would you make a new one? Just add a reference to the book to the zettel already in the slip-box.

Because i am obeying on A6-note rule.

What does that rule state, and in what way does adding a reference to the footer of the existing zettel violate it?

Will

I don't have any experience with an analog ZK.
You are right, a structure note is where a 'trains of thought' (ToT) are developed. It can be used as an entry point. But you are confusing atomic notes with ToT. They are make of atomic notes. Sometimes in a bulleted list, and sometimes, they are annotated.

I've included a screenshot of an annotated structure note comprising atomic notes and my developing ToT.

I hope this helps.

cong_quack

@georgeraraujo said:

What does that rule state, and in what way does adding a reference to the footer of the existing zettel violate it?

Did you see Luhmann's notes? What is its size?

cong_quack

Dear @Will, I read this article, I thought it was an atomic note.

georgeraraujo

@cong_quack said:

@georgeraraujo said:

What does that rule state, and in what way does adding a reference to the footer of the existing zettel violate it?

Did you see Luhmann notes? What is its size?

You ask for feedback, then drop attitude? I'm disengaging from your thread. Have a nice day.

cong_quack

You ask for feedback, then drop attitude? I'm disengaging from your thread. Have a nice day.

[ctietze: expletives removed]

cong_quack

If you feel uncomfortable, don't teach others with a uncomfortable attitude. Thanks @georgeraraujo

Will

Check out these three exciting threads from recent thermonuclear discussions about atomicity among ZK experts—definitely worth your time!

Upgrade Atomic Thinking to Holistic Thinking • Zettelkasten Method
One note = one object of attention — Zettelkasten Forum
Specific query about creating a useful note — Zettelkasten Forum

ctietze

I banned cong_quak for the expletives we don't welcome here, and am closing this discussion because it's of no further value.

Thanks everyone else for staying calm.