created: 2023-11-17T12:24:26+00:00 modified: 2023-11-17T12:47:32+00:00
maggie appleton explores this notion of tools for thinking as having a surprisingly narrow meaning in modern times - this big ol' software packages which let one configure workflows, nag teammates, attach images, generally in a nice web interface
we use jira, notion and gitlab at work, all of which fit under this thinky tools umbrella. i find however that they are really one or two steps removed from where i actually get my thinking done.
the first step to anywhere for me begins on paper, with a pen. being fast, convenient and flexible, not to mention simple and not distracting, this is the easiest place for me to get an idea out of my so that i can start to develop it
the next stage is a vim buffer. this is less flexible (can't draw diagrams) in some ways but more in others (can reorganise text blocks). it allows me to begin to prepare plans of action, and incorporate new information without having to scratch stuff out and rewrite it.
only after these two stages do i find my ideas suitably structured for my to adapt them to jira, or some other advertised "tool for thinking". I don't think like jira does, and thinking is hard, so the added friction of trying to use jira as a canvas directly is detrimental to my actually getting stuff done
it's great to have a journal so immediately available paper notes are best for notekeeping? https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2021.634158/full