Frequently asked questions about thinking, epistemology, and cognitive tools. 3434 answers
If processing an item takes less than two minutes, do it immediately — deferring it costs more than completing it.
Set dedicated times to process your inbox rather than handling items as they arrive. Batch processing protects cognitive depth; continuous processing fragments it.
Record why an idea matters and what triggered it not just the idea itself.
Record why an idea matters and what triggered it not just the idea itself.
When writing is impossible, speaking into a recorder preserves the thought. Your voice is a capture tool — and in high-friction moments, it is the only one fast enough.
When writing is impossible, speaking into a recorder preserves the thought. Your voice is a capture tool — and in high-friction moments, it is the only one fast enough.
When writing is impossible, speaking into a recorder preserves the thought. Your voice is a capture tool — and in high-friction moments, it is the only one fast enough.
A photo of a whiteboard, sketch, or physical artifact is a legitimate capture method — and for spatial, visual, or environmental information, it is the superior one.
A photo of a whiteboard, sketch, or physical artifact is a legitimate capture method — and for spatial, visual, or environmental information, it is the superior one.
A photo of a whiteboard, sketch, or physical artifact is a legitimate capture method — and for spatial, visual, or environmental information, it is the superior one.
Link capture to existing habits like morning coffee or commute time so it becomes automatic rather than effortful.
Link capture to existing habits like morning coffee or commute time so it becomes automatic rather than effortful.
Link capture to existing habits like morning coffee or commute time so it becomes automatic rather than effortful.
Link capture to existing habits like morning coffee or commute time so it becomes automatic rather than effortful.
Link capture to existing habits like morning coffee or commute time so it becomes automatic rather than effortful.
A weekly review catches anything your daily capture missed — it is the redundancy layer that keeps your entire epistemic system trustworthy.
A weekly review catches anything your daily capture missed — it is the redundancy layer that keeps your entire epistemic system trustworthy.
A weekly review catches anything your daily capture missed — it is the redundancy layer that keeps your entire epistemic system trustworthy.
New captures go to a hot inbox — only processed items move to permanent storage. The separation protects both speed of capture and integrity of storage.
When you resist writing something down, examine what you are avoiding. The resistance itself is data about what matters most.
When you resist writing something down, examine what you are avoiding. The resistance itself is data about what matters most.
When you resist writing something down, examine what you are avoiding. The resistance itself is data about what matters most.
When you resist writing something down, examine what you are avoiding. The resistance itself is data about what matters most.
When you resist writing something down, examine what you are avoiding. The resistance itself is data about what matters most.