Notes apps are where ideas go to die (2022) (reproof.app)

Article summary

The article argues that notes apps are not meant to help users remember everything, but rather to provide a safe space to store ideas and let them go, freeing up mental space for new thoughts. This concept is supported by the idea that writing things down allows us to forget them, and that the act of writing is what's important, not the note itself. The article also touches on the idea that people tend to hoard notes and ideas due to loss aversion, and that this can lead to a sense of overwhelm and decreased productivity. By letting go of the need to remember everything, users can focus on the present and make new connections.

Main themes

• note-taking strategies
• productivity and overwhelm
• loss aversion and hoarding
• knowledge management and retrieval
• writing and internalization
• technology and tooling

What commenters say

• Some users find that plain text files and simple search functions are sufficient for their note-taking needs, and that more complex systems can be overwhelming.
• Others argue that networked notes and knowledge graphs can be useful for exploring related topics and making new connections.
• The value of notes lies in their ability to cure the fear of forgetting, allowing users to accumulate new information without mental clutter.
• The act of writing itself is what helps to internalize information and make ideas one's own, regardless of whether the notes are revisited or not.
• Some users believe that notes should be organized and curated, while others think it's not worth the effort and that search functionality is enough.
• The idea that notes are meant to be abandoned or forgotten is seen as liberating by some, but others disagree and think that notes should be revisited and built upon.
• The use of AI-powered search and contextual understanding can potentially revolutionize note-taking and make it more efficient and effective.