# So, you want to start a second brain? *Or at least your interest has been piqued??* ## Summary - Don't overcomplicate it. NO REALLY. *Don't over complicate it*. - Choose a piece of software that works for you - You don't have to publish it anywhere- a [[Second Brain]] can have lots of positive impacts without worrying about that. - Having said that - publish it for all the reasons here: [[Why I'm sharing my second brain]] ## Obsidian [[Obsidian App]] is a piece of software designed to create a Second Brain. There are others such as Notion and Roam Research (advanced tools) and Evernote and OneNote (simpler tools) that can accomplish very similar things. I chose Obsidian because of its advanced linking capabilities, the depth of its community plugins, the supportive nature of its user community, the transferability of data, and the ability to easily publish. As an early bird user I get a cheaper price for the Publish feature, and there are educational discounts available too. Otherwise its free for personal use, which is just amazing. ## Theory/ approach - The definitive book on [Building a Second Brain](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Second-Brain-Organise-Potential-ebook/dp/B09MDNDYYF/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=second+brain&qid=1656613993&sr=8-1) was released in Summer 2022 by Tiago Forte- someone who's been looking at this stuff for a while. It's definitely worth a read, it's written in a straightforward manner with a broad user base in mind. - Tiago also has lots on [his website](https://fortelabs.co). A lot of the stuff in the book (above) can be found in a different form on the website. He's also got a podcast worth listening to. - If you want a more academic approach to alternative ways to manage your [[b. Projects/200 - Personal/Build a Second Brain/Personal Knowledge Management (PKM)|personal knowledge]] I'd recommend Sonke Ahrens's book on [Smart Notes](https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Take-Smart-Notes-Technique-ebook/dp/B09V5M8FR5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MWBMK8QIREE7&keywords=smart+notes&qid=1656614183&sprefix=smart+notes%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-1). It's a bit more focussed on the theory, and how academics should bring knowledge and insights together to create new knowledge. You can see my notes on this book here: [[Source - How to Take Smart Notes|How to Take Smart Notes]]. - [Nick Milo](https://www.linkingyourthinking.com) is good for the deep connection between notes, and how to organise your notes. Take a look at his [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC85D7ERwhke7wVqskV_DZUA/featured) for some good stuff. ## Examples - I like to look through some of the examples of second brains from the [Obsidian Publish website](https://obsidian.md/publish). Just scroll down a little. One of the sites there is Nick Milo's 'Linking Your Thinking' Toolkit, for example. - Also particularly worthy of note is [Andy Matchusak's](https://publish.obsidian.md/andymatuschak/) approach to note taking, which I discuss here: [[My note-taking philosophy#Andy Matchusak]]