# 202102261003 Your first notes will suck in 20 years time
#zettelkasten #quality
It may be inevitable that your first notes will not hold up to
scrutiny 10 or 20 years from now.
Cyberneticist Ross Ashby (1903--1972) left behind 25 volumes of journals that
include his studies. In volume 9, he commented on the poor quality of the
first volumes:
> My early notes, especially Volumes 2 and 3, are appalling even for their
> simple ignorance and inaccuracy. They are quite unfit for any human
> eye.[#20210226ashby][]
Volumes 1--3 range from 1928--1939 (ages 25--36), while volume 9 ranges
from 1946--1947 (ages 43--44).
[#20210226books]: "Bookshelf of W. Ross Ashby's Journals", <http://www.rossashby.info/journal/volume/index.html>
[#20210226ashby]: Ross Ashby, Journals, Volume 9, page 1967, <http://www.rossashby.info/journal/page/1967.html>
@ctietze , now you have me curious what else is in your #quality tag... But yes, I made a note like this too. I'm of the opinion that cybernetics is a great topic for anyone using the Zettelkasten method, as a way to understand how knowledge ecosystems can form and flourish.
I think Andy Matuschak adds support to the idea of such a zettel when he said, "just like writing itself, it's hard to write notes that are worth developing over time."
Comments
Very cool find! Instant Zettel material:
Author at Zettelkasten.de • https://christiantietze.de/
@ctietze , now you have me curious what else is in your
#qualitytag... But yes, I made a note like this too. I'm of the opinion that cybernetics is a great topic for anyone using the Zettelkasten method, as a way to understand how knowledge ecosystems can form and flourish.I have a
#qualitytag actually, most of what is there comes from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Rober PirsigI think Andy Matuschak adds support to the idea of such a zettel when he said, "just like writing itself, it's hard to write notes that are worth developing over time."