One (and another) Gear in the Zettelkasten Machine: A Deep Dive into a Key Mechanism • Zettelkasten

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One (and another) Gear in the Zettelkasten Machine: A Deep Dive into a Key Mechanism • Zettelkasten Method

Each element of your workflow has a specific effect. You might compare it to key training sessions like explosive strength training or circuit training. Together they make (or break) your practice.

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The identification of chains of cause and effect is one of the cornerstones of the Zettelkasten Method: Each Step in the Process Must Be Knowledge-Based Value Creation. My goal is to create a set of principles, methods, and techniques that are optimised for value creation.

Writing steps, techniques, and cause-and-effect chains in your terms creates a pointerin my head. If I want to reduce the number of decision points, I write it down, even though I will never come back to it later.

Nowadays, I am systematizing my inflow of knowledge. I watch YouTube videos for a particular and stable value acquisition, for example. My workflow is written. My templates are ready, not to forget anything, and it's freeing, as stated by Ahrens in How to Take Smart Notes.

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Here is the post on reddit which supplements this article:

The focal point of the article One (and another) Gear in the Zettelkasten Machine is the comparison between the commonplace book and the Zettelkasten via the mechanism how these tools create specific benefits.

One of the key mechanisms is the habit of rewriting. Both tools benefit us by nudging us towards rewriting what we thought ourselves or read. The benefit of the Zettelkasten over the commonplace book is that you create a more versatile tool.

This is also why I recommend taking full notes rather than the super-short, statement-like notes Luhmann took. You'll miss the benefit of the full cycle of writing, rewriting, and editing.

Luhmann wrote constantly and was obsessed with his work. He got a lot of rewriting outside of his Zettelkasten. But if he were alive, I'd also recommend to him that he should write more developed notes. Even if you write articles and books, you will then wrestle with the ideas within the goals of an article. Your agenda will seep into your thinking much more, and your bias will create gaps in your thinking.

Atomization is another key element. This is why I put such an emphasis on this concept with long guides and in-depth analysis of the concept. Atomization, done correctly, is not just a gimmick. It is not just to create "short-ish" notes that are easier to handle. Atomization means getting to the essence of ideas. If you write atomic notes, you make it a habit to get to the essence of ideas. If you have a framework for formalization, you will elevate your note-taking practice to a thinking practice. If you want to become good at critical thinking, you should learn about formal (and informal!) logic. If you want to become good at ideas, you should learn about building blocks.

I think about this matter through the lens of physical training. To be physically well-rounded, you need to incorporate all stimuli into your program. Alex Viada pioneered Hybrid Training (basically being very strong and having very high endurance) by breaking down each training session and rebuilding the plan from the elements, rather than mushing two plans together.

This is what I propose with the Zettelkasten Method.

So, please read this: https://zettelkasten.de/posts/principle-of-atomicity-difference-between-principle-and-implementation/

Live long and prosper
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