The FUN and EFFICIENT note-taking system I use in my PhD

morganeua

27 Jan 202217:26

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative video, Morgan, a fifth-year PhD candidate, introduces the Zettelkasten method, a powerful knowledge management system for efficient note-taking and idea organization. Originating from the 1960s, the method is enhanced by modern software like Obsidian, which facilitates interlinking of notes. Morgan shares the four core principles of the system and demonstrates how to transform fleeting notes into permanent, interconnected knowledge, advocating for the method's adaptability and its ability to enhance creative and critical thinking.

Takeaways

📚 Morgan is a fifth-year PhD candidate in theater and performance studies who needed a better note-taking method for her extensive research and writing.
🔍 She sought a system to store large amounts of information that was easily accessible and fully interconnected to facilitate creative and critical thinking in her academic work.
📝 Morgan's undergraduate note-taking methods, such as highlighting and margin notes, were insufficient for her PhD program's demands.
💡 She discovered the Zettelkasten method, originally used by Nicholas Luman in the 1960s, which is a knowledge management system that stores and organizes notes digitally.
🖥 Morgan uses the software Obsidian to implement the Zettelkasten method, but she mentions that there are many other software options available.
✍️ The Zettelkasten method emphasizes writing in one's own words and creating notes that are irreducible yet complete thoughts.
🌐 The core principles of the Zettelkasten method include the belief that all knowledge is interconnected and that connections between notes are what make the system powerful.
📝 The process involves taking fleeting notes and then converting them into permanent notes that are written in paragraph form and linked to other related notes.
🔗 Morgan demonstrates how to use Obsidian to create bibliographic notes, permanent notes, and make connections between them, enhancing the interconnectedness of her knowledge base.
🎯 She emphasizes the importance of trust in the system, as the value of a Zettelkasten increases with the number and quality of connections made between notes.
📈 The Zettelkasten method makes the process of writing papers more efficient by allowing Morgan to pull pre-written, interconnected notes into her essays, streamlining the writing process.

Q & A

What was the main challenge Morgan faced with traditional note-taking methods during their PhD program?
-Morgan found that their undergraduate note-taking methods, such as highlighting and margin notes, were insufficient for the demands of their PhD program, particularly the need to store and access large amounts of interconnected information efficiently.
What is the Zettelkasten method and how did it originate?
-The Zettelkasten method is a knowledge management system used for note-taking and organizing thoughts. It was originally used by Nicholas Luman in the 1960s and has been adapted for digital use with the help of computer software.
What software does Morgan recommend for implementing the Zettelkasten method?
-Morgan recommends using Obsidian, a software that helps in creating and connecting notes digitally, although they acknowledge that there are other choices available as well.
What are the four core principles of the Zettelkasten method as mentioned by Morgan?
-The four core principles are: 1) Write all the time in your own words, 2) Consider everything as knowledge, not just academic sources, 3) Treat thought as the basic unit of knowledge, making notes irreducible yet complete, and 4) Recognize that knowledge is interconnected, making connections between new and existing notes.
How does Morgan suggest turning fleeting notes into permanent notes?
-Morgan suggests reviewing fleeting notes, such as sticky notes from a book, and writing them in your own words in paragraph form, making them as concise as possible while still conveying a complete thought.
What is the significance of naming a note in the Zettelkasten method?
-Naming a note according to its main idea helps in creating a unique identifier for the thought, making it easier to search and connect with other related notes within the system.
How does the Zettelkasten method differ from traditional note-taking in terms of organization?
-Unlike traditional note-taking which can become chaotic with more notes, the Zettelkasten method emphasizes the value of connections between notes, making the system more useful and valuable as more notes and connections are added.
What is the purpose of making connections between notes in the Zettelkasten system?
-Making connections between notes allows for a network of interrelated thoughts, which enhances the ability to make associations and draw insights that can be used for creative and critical thinking in writing and research.
Can the Zettelkasten method be used without a computer?
-Yes, the Zettelkasten method can be used without a computer, as originally practiced by Nicholas Luman with physical index cards and boxes. However, digital tools like Obsidian can automate the process of connecting notes.
What additional principle does Morgan suggest at the end of the script for effective use of the Zettelkasten method?
-Morgan suggests trusting the system as an additional principle. The effectiveness of the Zettelkasten method comes from the quantity and quality of connections made between notes, which requires consistent use and trust in the process.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Discovering the Zettelkasten Method for PhD Studies

Morgan, a fifth-year PhD candidate in theater and performance studies, introduces the challenges faced in transitioning from undergraduate note-taking to the demands of a PhD program. The need for a method to store and access vast amounts of interconnected information for academic writing is highlighted. Morgan shares her discovery of the Zettelkasten method, originally used by Nicholas Luhmann, and how modern software like Obsidian enhances the process. The video promises to teach the audience the Zettelkasten method, emphasizing four core principles for effective knowledge management.

05:02

📝 Implementing the Zettelkasten Method with Obsidian

The second paragraph delves into the practical application of the Zettelkasten method using the software Obsidian. Morgan explains the process of taking fleeting notes and transforming them into permanent notes, which involve writing in one's own words to ensure ideas are captured effectively. She demonstrates how to create bibliographic notes, link sources, and form connections between notes to build a network of knowledge. The importance of naming notes after single ideas and the utility of Obsidian's linking and graph view features are also discussed.

10:02

🔗 Building Connections and the Power of Interconnected Thoughts

In this paragraph, Morgan illustrates the process of turning book notes into interconnected Zettelkasten entries. She emphasizes the significance of connecting new notes to existing ones, thereby creating a robust network of thoughts. The example of linking notes about student autonomy and the impact of grades on independent thinking is given. The paragraph showcases how Obsidian's graph view can help visualize the complex web of connections, highlighting the method's efficiency in aiding the writing process.

15:02

🌟 Trusting the Zettelkasten System for Enhanced Productivity

The final paragraph reinforces the importance of trust in the Zettelkasten system, as the value of the method increases with the number of notes and connections made. Morgan contrasts the Zettelkasten with traditional notebooks, which can become chaotic and less useful over time. She encourages viewers to embrace the system for its long-term benefits in idea generation and writing projects. The video concludes with an invitation for feedback and further exploration of knowledge management topics, with links provided in the description for those interested in Obsidian and additional resources.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Zettelkasten method

The Zettelkasten method is a knowledge management system originally used by Niklas Luhmann in the 1960s. It involves taking notes in a way that allows for easy retrieval and interconnection of ideas. In the video, the method is presented as a solution for managing vast amounts of information, making it accessible and interconnected for academic writing and critical thinking. The method is central to the video's theme of efficient note-taking and knowledge organization.

💡Note-taking

Note-taking, as discussed in the video, refers to the process of recording information during learning or reading. It is essential for Morgan, the video's narrator, as she seeks a method to store and access information effectively. The video emphasizes the evolution of note-taking from traditional methods like highlighting and margin notes to a more sophisticated system that supports deep learning and writing.

💡Interconnected

Interconnected, in the context of the video, refers to the way information is linked within the Zettelkasten system. This feature allows for the creation of a network of thoughts and ideas, which is vital for making creative and critical connections in academic work. The term is used to describe the power of the Zettelkasten method in facilitating the formation of a complex web of knowledge.

💡Knowledge management

Knowledge management is the process of capturing, distributing, and effectively utilizing knowledge. In the video, it is the overarching concept that the Zettelkasten method addresses. Morgan explains that she was missing a holistic system for knowledge management, which she found in the Zettelkasten method, highlighting its importance in organizing and retrieving information for scholarly work.

💡Obsidian

Obsidian is a piece of software mentioned in the video that facilitates the Zettelkasten method by allowing users to create and interlink notes digitally. It is presented as Morgan's preferred tool for implementing the Zettelkasten system, emphasizing its role in modernizing the process of knowledge organization and making it more efficient.

💡Fleeting notes

Fleeting notes are temporary records of ideas, thoughts, or information that come to mind and need to be captured quickly. In the video, Morgan describes the process of taking fleeting notes while reading, which are later transformed into permanent notes within the Zettelkasten system. This concept is integral to the initial stage of knowledge capture in the method.

💡Permanent notes

Permanent notes are the refined, in-depth records of ideas that are created from fleeting notes. They are written in the individual's own words and are designed to be stored and interconnected within the Zettelkasten system. The video illustrates the process of converting fleeting notes into permanent notes as a critical step in the knowledge management process.

💡Bibliographic notes

Bibliographic notes are a specific type of permanent note that contains citation information about a source, such as a book. In the video, Morgan demonstrates how to create bibliographic notes in Obsidian, including the author's name, publication date, and MLA citation, which serve as a reference point for connecting other notes to the source material.

💡Irreducible

Irreducible, in the context of the Zettelkasten method, refers to the process of distilling a note down to its most basic, indivisible idea. The video emphasizes the importance of creating notes that are irreducible to ensure that each note represents a single, complete thought, which facilitates effective knowledge management and retrieval.

💡Graph view

Graph view is a feature in Obsidian that visually represents the interconnected network of notes. In the video, Morgan uses the graph view to demonstrate the complex web of connections between her notes, illustrating the power of the Zettelkasten method in creating a comprehensive and accessible knowledge base.

💡Trust the system

Trusting the system is a principle that Morgan introduces towards the end of the video, emphasizing the importance of having faith in the Zettelkasten method over time. It suggests that the effectiveness of the method grows with the number and quality of connections made between notes, encouraging consistent use and reliance on the system for knowledge management.

Highlights

Morgan, a fifth-year PhD candidate, found traditional note-taking methods insufficient for her doctoral program.

The need for a method to store vast amounts of information for later accessibility and interconnection arose from Morgan's academic challenges.

Morgan's undergraduate note-taking involved highlighting and margin notes, which proved inefficient for paper writing.

The search for a holistic system led Morgan to the Zettelkasten method, originally used by Nicholas Luman in the 1960s.

Zettelkasten is facilitated by modern software like Obsidian, which automates the connection of thoughts.

Core principles of Zettelkasten include constant writing in one's own words and considering all encountered information as valuable knowledge.

The system views thoughts as the basic unit of knowledge, encouraging the creation of irreducible, single-idea notes.

Interconnection is key; each note should relate to existing knowledge within the Zettelkasten.

Morgan demonstrates the process of turning fleeting notes into permanent notes using the book 'Punished by Rewards' as an example.

Obsidian's functionality allows for easy linking and backlinking between notes, creating a network of interconnected thoughts.

Morgan emphasizes the importance of naming notes after single ideas for effective retrieval and connection.

The process of note-taking in Obsidian involves creating bibliographic notes and linking them to sources and related ideas.

Morgan's use of the Zettelkasten system in Obsidian is shown through the creation and connection of notes on student autonomy and grading.

The graph view in Obsidian illustrates the complex network of thought connections, emphasizing the system's power.

Morgan concludes with a fifth principle: trust the system, as the value of Zettelkasten grows with the number and quality of connections made.

The video offers additional resources and invites viewers to engage with the content for further exploration of the Zettelkasten method.

Transcripts

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