How to Address Cards in Zettelkasten

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide to the address system in the anti-et community, explaining how to categorize ideas using a structured numbering scheme based on academic disciplines. It covers the distinction between main ideas and their variants, emphasizes the importance of maintaining clarity in organization, and introduces the 'Golden Rule' of placing cards close to related ideas. Common user questions are addressed, providing insights into the flexibility of the system and encouraging personal adaptation. By following these guidelines, users can effectively manage and reference their ideas.

Takeaways

• 😀 Every card has an address composed of a top-level category and an idea, with the top-level determined by academic disciplines.
• 📚 The first digit of the address indicates the top-level category: 1000 for Arts and Humanities, 2000 for Social Sciences, 3000 for Natural Sciences, 4000 for Formal Sciences, and 5000 for Applied Arts and Sciences.
• 🔢 Subcategories can be defined arbitrarily, allowing flexibility in how ideas are organized under their respective top-level categories.
• ➡️ To create new ideas or branches, simply adjust the number in the address (e.g., adding a slash followed by a digit for expansions or variants).
• ❓ It's acceptable to have longer addresses as you delve deeper into topics; the focus should be on maintaining clarity rather than brevity.
• 🔄 The golden rule of addresses is to position each card close to its most similar idea, regardless of the established numbering system.
• 🛠️ You can develop your own address schemes to better suit your organizational needs within the antet system.
• 📋 When renumbering or moving ideas, instead of encapsulating them within another card, simply create a new card that references the existing ones.
• 🆕 Avoid using letters in the address for top-level categories; they should be reserved for variants of existing ideas.
• 💡 For vocabulary sections or specialized topics, consider using unique separators or identifiers within the address to facilitate retrieval.

Q & A

What is the basic structure of an address in the anti-et community?

An address consists of a top-level category and an idea. The top-level categories are defined by academic disciplines, while the idea is based on the surrounding ideas.

How are the top-level categories numbered in the anti-et system?

The top-level categories are numbered as follows: 1000 for Arts and Humanities, 2000 for Social Sciences, 3000 for Natural Sciences, 4000 for Formal Sciences, and 5000 for Applied Arts and Sciences.

What does adding a slash (/) signify in the address system?

Adding a slash indicates a branching of ideas. For example, if you have an idea and want to expand on it, you would use a slash followed by a number (e.g., 1/2 for the second idea).

When should letters be used in an address?

Letters are used to denote variants of an idea. For instance, if you have a variant of idea 11, you would use 11a to indicate this.

What is the golden rule for organizing cards in the anti-et system?

The golden rule is to place each card behind the card it relates to most closely, regardless of whether it's a variant, a branch, or a new idea.

Can the numbering system be changed or customized?

Yes, users can create their own address schemes after mastering the basic numbering and letter system, allowing for greater flexibility in organizing ideas.

How can users handle long IDs in the anti-et system?

To avoid overly long IDs, it's recommended to limit the top-level categories to four digits and to keep the structure fuzzy rather than overly detailed.

What should be done if a topic fits into a more general category later on?

Instead of moving cards to encapsulate each other, you should create a new card for the more general category and place it before the existing ones.

Is it acceptable to go beyond four digits in the top-level categories?

While it's generally recommended to limit top-level categories to four digits for clarity, users are free to go beyond that if necessary for their structure.

What is the significance of having dividers or separators in the anti-et system?

Dividers or separators help organize sections within the anti-et, making it easier to navigate different categories and topics, such as vocabulary.