The cohort course "Zettelkasten for Creative Expression" emphasizes the creative aspect and expression rather than solely focusing on writing, allowing for a broader range of output and catering to different forms of creative expression beyond writing.
The cohort course has seen participants using Zettelkasten for various purposes, including fashion design, music composition, and coding, showcasing the method's flexibility to adapt to different disciplines and help users organize and connect ideas in their respective fields.
The structured cohort model in the course contributes to a higher completion rate compared to self-paced courses, offering a fulfilling learning experience with structured format, peer interaction, and accountability to support progress and growth.
The course aims to guide participants in developing their creative expression skills, gaining confidence in their ideas, and providing them with effective tools to organize and connect their thoughts, leading them towards meaningful creative output and growth.
The PKM community, including Zettelkasten practitioners, attracts individuals passionate about learning and knowledge development, with a genuine desire for intellectual pursuits and an inclusive atmosphere encouraging diverse voices to contribute and expand the community.
Deep dives
Creative Expression as the Focus
The cohort course "Zettelkasten for Creative Expression" emphasizes the creative aspect and expression rather than solely focusing on writing. This allows for a broader range of output and caters to different forms of creative expression beyond writing.
Diverse Usage
The cohort course has seen participants using Zettelkasten for various purposes, including fashion design, music composition, and coding. The flexibility of the method allows for adaptation to different creative disciplines and helps users organize and connect ideas in their respective fields.
Benefits of the Cohort Model
The cohort model has gained popularity as it offers a higher completion rate compared to self-paced courses. The structured format, interaction with peers, and accountability within the cohort leads to a more fulfilling learning experience and supports progress and growth.
Focus on Building Skills and Confidence
The course aims to guide participants in developing their creative expression skills, gaining confidence in their ideas, and providing them with the tools to effectively organize and connect their thoughts. The focus is on growth and progress, leading participants towards meaningful creative output.
Chaos and Coding
Chaos in coding can be restrictive and hinder creativity, as coding has rules and constraints. The wilderness aspect of coding is lost as it becomes more specific. Coders and software developers primarily use Zettelkasten as a knowledge database or PKM to develop thoughts and creative output. Writing is a thinking tool and brings joy to the process, relieving stress. The Zettelkasten community can be crowded, with some appearing as gatekeepers, while others genuinely want to learn and engage. The PKM scene is inclusive and attracts people passionate about learning and knowledge development.
Building a Strong PKM Community
The PKM community is characterized by a genuine desire to learn and a passion for intellectual pursuits. However, there can be a presence of gatekeepers who try to control the narrative. Expanding the community and encouraging diverse voices is essential for its growth and development. As more knowledgeable individuals enter the scene, there will be a richer and more mature discourse. The scene is currently at a stage of self-discovery and finding its boundaries. Over time, it is expected to settle into a more diverse and inclusive community.
The Intersection of Anarcho-Marxism
Anarcho-Marxism is a combination of anarchism and Marxism, drawing from both ideologies. Anarchism reflects the bottom-up approach and a focus on individual freedom, while Marxism considers social conditions and labor's impact on creativity and expression. The scene and community associated with anarcho-Marxism can be passionate and diverse. The community focuses on the political, societal, and cultural aspects of subcultures and scenes, examining how they self-define and interact. While the scene can be gatekeeper-y at times, it also encourages open-mindedness and the pursuit of knowledge.
Discussion on classification systems
In this podcast episode, the speakers discuss their different approaches to classification systems in Zettelkasten note-taking. One speaker uses a top-down approach, starting with predefined top-level categories and adding sub-branches as ideas emerge. He follows the Wikipedia's academic disciplines as his classification scheme. The other speaker takes a more emergent approach, starting with a flat structure and creating categories as ideas develop. He believes that predefined categories can lead to paralysis and confusion. They both agree that personalization and individual preferences are key in choosing a classification approach.
The importance of personalization and evolving ideas
The speakers emphasize the importance of personalization and adapting note-taking systems to fit individual needs. They discuss how Zettelkasten evolves over time, reflecting changes in the person's knowledge and interests. One speaker mentions that his Zettelkasten started with a focus on social media, but other topics emerged as he explored new ideas. They highlight the flexibility of Zettelkasten and the potential for unexpected connections to arise. Both speakers believe that the process of categorization can be fluid and subjective, allowing room for new ideas and perspectives to shape the structure.
In this interview, Bob Doto shares his love of Zettelkasten, his thoughts on writing, thoughts on creative expression in Zettelkasten, anarcho-marxism, categories in Zettelkasten, and more.
Check out Bob's upcoming course "Zettelkasten for Creative Expression": https://bobdoto.computer/zettelkasten-101-2
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