06 May 2026 #books
Search for “Zettelkasten” and you’ll drown in endless breakdowns of note types and apps.
But the Zettelkasten method isn’t complicated.
How to Make Notes and Write by Dan Allosso shows a simple way to adopt it.
Here are five lessons I’ve learned from reading it:
#1. Avoid the mere-exposure effect.
Seeing a concept frequently doesn’t mean you understand it.
You truly understand something when you write about it.
Writing makes you think.
#2. Read with a project in mind.
Don’t extract everything from a book in one pass.
Record what’s useful for your current project.
You can always reread.
“What’s the best plugin for Obsidian?”
“When should I use this note type?”
Arrggg!
Forget about tweaking fancy tools.
Niklas Luhmann, the Zettelkasten godfather, didn’t even have a computer.
He only used pen and paper—and a typewriter.
The process is rather simple:
- Highlight or underline.
- Record data as you find it.
- Interpret and make it relevant for your projects.
#4. Use only two types of notes.
Use Source notes to record data.
Quotations, definitions, ideas, concepts.
Source notes collect evidence of what you find.
Use Point notes to write conclusions.
Anything you want to turn into knowledge counts as a note.
Point reminds you to write a single observation in a note.
How to Take Smart Notes calls them literature and permanent notes.
But they’re the same thing.
#5. Originality is also finding new connections.
Without connections, notes are just a collection of trivia.
That’s why my first Zettelkasten attempt didn’t work.
05 May 2026 #writing
Telling readers you don’t want to waste their time is already wasting it.
Last week in a grocery line, I picked up a self-help book from the nearby shelves. In the introduction, the author said he liked getting straight to the point without wasting time.
Then today I started a note-taking book. After listing two well-known note takers, the author gave the same disclaimer. Arrggg!
What if, instead of opening your book or post with a disclaimer, you went directly to the point? That’s how you don’t waste people’s time.
That’s the main lesson from Smart Brevity and that’s the whole point behind mini books.
04 May 2026 #misc
To warm up my idea muscles and celebrate May 4th, here’s why Star Wars is the best saga:
#1. A proven story. A constant fight between good and evil, light and darkness, bright side and dark side. We see that in almost all religions.
#2. Full of action, alien species, locations, futuristic weapons. You’d never imagine how diverse life is in a galaxy far, far away.
3. A story for all family members. It’s a war saga, but no matter the battles, treason, and plots, there’s no blood or sex on screen.
#4. Well-known cast. I only imagine our moms and aunts’ generation going crazy seeing Harrison Ford on the screen in the original trilogy. Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Liam Neesson…
#5. Legendary quotes that became part of the pop culture. “May the Force be with you,” “Do or do not. There’s no try.” Even I’ve adopted one Star Wars line as a mantra…and couldn’t help but include some references in my books.
#6. Reflection of human nature. With the right or wrong motivations, we could become what we fight. The fear of losing a loved one turned Anakin into a cruel being. I mean, executing Order 66 without hesitation?!
#7. The best and cruelest of all villains. Even if you haven’t seen the movies, you know about Darth Vader.
His mysterious suit, his breathing sound, his tone of voice, his motivations, his ruthless methods make him terrifying. “Be careful not to choke on your own aspirations…“ right after choking someone? The best villain.
By the way, here’s what I’d write if I were Darth Vader brand strategist.
#8. The most iconic plot twist in the history of cinema. “No…I am your father.” Toy Story made a parody and The Simpsons made fun of that scene.
#9. More than a trilogy. It’s such a great story that has given birth to prequels, sequels, spin-offs, videogames, animated movies, comics. If you’re a fan, you’ll never get bored of Star Wars.
#10. Grogu and Mando. Whoever came up with the idea of a cute, baby Yoda is a genius. I bet they should already have a good raise or stock package. Mandalorian has brought new fans to the saga. “This is the way!”
04 May 2026 #misc
When facing a decision or hard choice:
If it doesn’t make say “Hell yes,” say no.
Credits to Derek Sivers.
In past weeks, a journalist found my rules for AI coding.
He invited for an interview to write a story about it.
A story featuring me in a tech news site? “Hell yes.”
After the interview, I had to send a photo of my ID, a professional headshot, and about a dozen of casual photos…plus some follow up via email.
Photo of my ID? Casual photos?
Were they training an AI or something?
It wasn’t a “hell yes” anymore.
A “hell yes” could consume more time than expected.
Or it couldn’t be a real “hell yes” after all.
Choose what to focus on and say no.
Remember: a “hell yes” can always become a no.
02 May 2026 #misc
Recently, I’ve started to list interesting ideas I found over the week—to practice my 10-idea list habit. Here are 7 from the last week.
#1. The Matthew effect.
Inspired by a verse from the gospel of Matthew, recognition goes to already-recognized people.
Visit social media and you’ll see it.
#2. The one sentencing to death wields the sword.
Or something like that.
This comes from Game of Thrones.
Decision makers should stay close to their decisions.
#3. Don’t treat reading as background noise.
Know whether you’re reading for pleasure and insight.
When reading for insight, make it active.
Otherwise, you won’t remember anything.
#4. Solve the problem with what’s in your room.
Or in your head or in your notes.
#5. Three interesting questions from Tim Ferriss’s Tools of Titans:
- What if you only solve a problem by removing something?
- What if you only had two hours to create?
- What’s the least crowded place to go?
#6. When writing anything emotional, write by hand.
For everything else, type.
#7. Start writing by the end.
What’s the one thing you want readers to take away?
Writing a 10-idea list changed my life. Try it! It could change yours too.