Frequently asked questions about thinking, epistemology, and cognitive tools. 1112 answers
An idea that looks like one thing is often several things fused together, each carrying unstated assumptions that silently constrain what you can do with it.
Small self-contained pieces can be assembled into new structures that monoliths cannot. Atomicity is what makes recombination possible — and recombination is how almost all innovation actually works.
Small self-contained pieces can be assembled into new structures that monoliths cannot. Atomicity is what makes recombination possible — and recombination is how almost all innovation actually works.
A precise name converts a fuzzy intuition into a findable, retrievable, composable object — and the act of naming changes what you can think.
A precise name converts a fuzzy intuition into a findable, retrievable, composable object — and the act of naming changes what you can think.
A claim and its supporting evidence are different objects that should be stored separately.
A claim and its supporting evidence are different objects that should be stored separately.
A claim and its supporting evidence are different objects that should be stored separately.
A claim and its supporting evidence are different objects that should be stored separately.
What you saw and what you concluded from it are distinct and must not be fused.
What you saw and what you concluded from it are distinct and must not be fused.
An atomic note should carry enough context to be understood without its original source.
You choose how finely to decompose based on your purpose — not on some inherent "correct" level of detail. The same material supports different grain sizes for different uses.
A well-formed question is as valuable an atom as a well-formed answer.
A well-formed question is as valuable an atom as a well-formed answer.
The definitions you use quietly shape every conclusion built on top of them.
The definitions you use quietly shape every conclusion built on top of them.
The definitions you use quietly shape every conclusion built on top of them.
When you write the same idea twice you have not yet named the pattern they share.
When you write the same idea twice you have not yet named the pattern they share.
When you write the same idea twice you have not yet named the pattern they share.
Ideas evolve. Your system should let you see how any atom changed over time — not just what you believe now, but what you believed before and why it shifted.
Ideas evolve. Your system should let you see how any atom changed over time — not just what you believe now, but what you believed before and why it shifted.
Ideas evolve. Your system should let you see how any atom changed over time — not just what you believe now, but what you believed before and why it shifted.