The Unmistakable Creative Podcast Dennis Xu: Designing Tools That Think Like We Do
Sep 17, 2025
Dennis Xu, co-founder of Mem and Stanford alumnus, explores the future of personal knowledge with an innovative approach to cognitive design. He shares insights on transforming traditional information management into fluid, brain-like systems. The conversation dives into the philosophical underpinnings of knowledge work, emphasizing the importance of radical agency and creative autonomy. Dennis highlights how Mem serves as a powerful infrastructure for knowledge workers, blending technology with human cognition to manage complexity effectively.
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Founders Built Community Projects First
- Dennis Xu and his co-founder built many small projects together before Mem, including a classroom app and an anonymous polling tool.
- Their recurring question was why we produce so much information but can't use it when needed.
Personal Search Engine For Your Life
- Mem's core vision is a personal search engine that maximizes the utility of your private information.
- Advances in language-understanding AI mean computers can manage and retrieve your info automatically.
Why Folders Break Modern Thinking
- Folders originated from physical filing cabinets and don't match how our brains form networks of knowledge.
- Rigid hierarchies force constant reorganization and cause anxiety when information changes.