# My note-taking philosophy ## Background To create my Second Brain I have tried to combine the approaches of: - Andy Matchusak - Sonke Ahrens (based on Lehmann and his Zettlekasten methodology) - Nick Milo - Graham Gibbs - Agyris & Schon The orginal idea of a 'second brain', or 'Memex device' was first postulated by [Vannevar Bush](https://www.w3.org/History/1945/vbush/vbush1.shtml) in 1945. I am attempting to stimulate [[Reflection]] and develop [[Cognitive complexity refers to the simultaneous synergy of differentiation and integration|cognitive complexity]] through this note-taking approach. ## Andy Matchusak ### Garage Doors You can find out more about Andy's note taking and [[Reflection]] approach, and see a living example of it, [here](https://publish.obsidian.md/andymatuschak/_Start+Here). Broadly I wanted to start working [with the garage door up](https://publish.obsidian.md/andymatuschak/Work+with+the+garage+door+up) as I felt that would help me ensure my notes were of a high standard and enabled my future reflection and understanding, so I decided to publish my notes through this website. ### Evergreen Notes Additionally I took up Andy's approach to note taking- that they should be ['evergreen'](https://publish.obsidian.md/andymatuschak/Evergreen+notes) which means that they should be: 1. Atomic. Notes are only about one thing. 2. Concept-orientated. As opposed to being orientated any other way (e.g. author, book, event, project, module). 3. Densely linked. So that ideas can be collided and new ideas formed. So that reflections in one life experience can easily be brought to bear on another life experience. This is also the fundamental approach that Lehmann took with his Zettlekasten technique, and advocated for by Nick Milo of [[Linking Your Thinking|LYT]]. 4. Organic. Let the develop naturally without too much organisation. (I have implemented the [PARA methodology](https://fortelabs.co/blog/para/) to give a broad structure). It must be said that not many of my notes are 'evergreen' yet. That takes significant time and commitment that I haven't been able to devote and it is a work in progress. ## Sonke Ahrens ### Smart Notes There is a lot of synergies with the [[How to Take Smart Notes|'Smart Notes']] approach developed by Ahrens (2017), based on the Zettlekasten methodology used by Niklass Luhmann. The aim is to create an 'idea generator'- a critical mass of connected and useful notes that can easily generate new ideas and insights. ## Graham Gibbs ## The Reflective Cycle Gibbs wrote about [[Gibbs' Reflective Cycle|the reflective cycle]]. When I write evergreen notes on a situation or experience (rather than on someone else's experience, or a concept or idea) then I am starting the process of [[Reflection]] as described by Gibbs (1988): > It is not sufficient simply to have an experience in order to learn. Without reflecting upon this experience it may quickly be forgotten, or its learning potential lost. It is from the feelings and thoughts emerging from this reflection that generalisations or concepts can be generated. And it is generalisations that allow new situations to be tackled effectively.’ ## Agyris and Schon ### Spaced Repetition By further adding a ‘spaced repetition’ approach I am able to repeatedly review my learning and apply the theories to the day’s experiences or issues, or process previous reflections in new light. This is single- loop and double-loop learning in action (Argyris & Schon, 1992). I use [[Readwise]] and [[Anki]] to facilitate this learning process. This approach has informed my [[My Second Brain Workflow]]