@RowanDee said:
I’m new to the zettlekasten community and I feel
super lucky as I joined at the perfect time; just in time for the ultimate guide explaining the reasoning/beauty/intuition “behind” the system!
Thanks for the nice words.
Have you designed/commissioned a (new) cover art for the English version? Or will it have the same cover as the German version?
I am not sure. The original cover art was a lot of work (not for me, but for Julian, the cover artist) and, to be honest, I don't have strong opinions on such things.
The reason we took the note in the first place was heightened mental stimulation. We were inspired, or perhaps even angered, by an idea, and either captured our understanding of its essence at that time or our opinion of it. However, the state of heightened mental stimulation subsides. Then we forget a significant portion of the idea we wanted to capture. We are left with an incomplete note that is often hard to understand. We might recall that the idea moved us, but we don't remember exactly why.
We forget that the mere act of writing such a note is just the beginning of a deeper inquiry. We are inspired and get emotional: We get "in motion". So, we write down what we have in mind. We mistake the emotional weight for the finished idea. Instead, we captured an inspiration that should be recognized as such, as a spark that could lead to something valuable. But without being in (e)motion, the note isn't speaking to us.
This is the finished paragraph:
We start writing the note because an idea creates an emotion. It moves us, inspires us, or perhaps even angers us. We tell ourselves we are capturing the idea. But we are not: we are resolving a tension. The excitement creates pressure, and writing the note releases it. This is the wrong problem to solve. The pressure is gone, but the idea is not done. Then the state subsides, the emotional charge fades, and what we are left with is barely understandable to ourselves. We might recall that the idea moved us, but we don't remember exactly why; we acted out our excitement, but did not capture the idea itself. What we failed to understand is that the act of capturing the idea is the mere beginning, the entry to the depth of ideation. Value is created in the inquiry that follows. That inquiry begins only when we stop mistaking the spark for the fire.
@Sascha said:
We start writing the note because an idea creates an emotion. It moves us, inspires us, or perhaps even angers us. We tell ourselves we are capturing the idea. But we are not: we are resolving a tension. The excitement creates pressure, and writing the note releases it.
This sounds like a very personal experience. Have you considered replacing "we" with "I"? Like this:
I start writing the note because an idea creates an emotion. It moves me, inspires me, or perhaps even angers me. I tell myself that I'm capturing the idea. But I'm not: I am resolving a tension. The excitement creates pressure, and writing the note releases it.
It is not a personal experience, but a shared experience and a common pain point in writing notes among many people. The inclusive "we" is a writing device.
Comments
Thanks for the nice words.
I am not sure. The original cover art was a lot of work (not for me, but for Julian, the cover artist) and, to be honest, I don't have strong opinions on such things.
I am a Zettler
Updated date of publication, Sascha?
The beta readers are still on their way. They have a life, too.
I am a Zettler
Just excited for the release, it will take as long as it takes.
Any update?
Still in beta.
I am a Zettler
The first beta readers are approaching the end.
I am still undecided whether to work with LaTeX, Pages or giving Mellell a shot.
I am a Zettler
More editing.
It started like this:
This is the finished paragraph:
I am a Zettler
I will give Mellel a serious shot with some support.
I am a Zettler
This sounds like a very personal experience. Have you considered replacing "we" with "I"? Like this:
Ach, harr...
It is not a personal experience, but a shared experience and a common pain point in writing notes among many people. The inclusive "we" is a writing device.
I am a Zettler