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Why note-taking apps don’t make us smarter

Aug 25, 2023 - theverge.com
The article discusses the author's experience with productivity platforms and note-taking apps, particularly their limitations in improving thinking and managing information overload. Despite the promise of making work easier, these tools often lead to data paralysis, similar to the overwhelm experienced by farmers using software tools to manage their crops. The author highlights Roam Research's bidirectional linking and journaling features, but notes that these did not significantly enhance his thinking or knowledge base. The distractions of the internet, the author argues, pose a significant challenge to effective note-taking and thinking.

The author also explores the potential of AI in enhancing productivity, particularly in managing and extracting insights from large databases of information. He envisions a future where AI-powered databases could serve as perfect research assistants, capable of generating briefing documents and timelines on command. However, he acknowledges that the reliability and trustworthiness of AI-generated summaries remain a concern. Despite these challenges, the author remains optimistic about the potential of AI in productivity tools, while recognizing that effective thinking ultimately requires active engagement and cannot be automated.

Key takeaways:

  • The author discusses the challenges of managing large amounts of data and information, particularly in the context of productivity platforms and note-taking apps.
  • Despite the promise of apps like Roam Research to improve thinking and knowledge work, the author found that the distractions of the internet and the limitations of the software itself often hindered their effectiveness.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance productivity tools, such as Notion's database of links, by providing automatic tagging and summarizing capabilities. However, the author notes that these features are not yet fully reliable or useful.
  • Ultimately, the author suggests that while software can assist in managing and organizing information, it cannot replace the active process of thinking that takes place in the human brain. They also express interest in AI tools that could potentially aid in this process.
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