Obsidian: The Most Powerful Learning Technology in History?

Summary

This video explores Obsidian, a powerful tool for enhancing creativity and thought processes by mimicking the way our brains link ideas. Inspired by the Zettelkasten method, Obsidian allows users to create a personal knowledge base, linking notes and ideas to foster new connections. The script provides a basic guide to getting started with Obsidian, emphasizing the importance of creating notes, establishing links, and using tags to build a web of interconnected thoughts, ultimately transforming the way one thinks and creates.

Takeaways

• 📚 Obsidian is a tool designed to enhance thinking and creativity by providing an electronic version of a historical note-taking technique.
• 💭 It is sometimes misunderstood as a simple note-taking app, but it is more accurately described as a 'thought linking' app that mimics the way our brains work.
• 📚 The script references Elizabeth Gilbert's 'Big Magic', suggesting that Obsidian can help uncover hidden creative treasures within us.
• 🔗 Obsidian allows for the creation of a personal knowledge base (PKB) by linking ideas and notes, similar to the Zettelkasten method used by prolific writers and thinkers.
• 📝 The Zettelkasten method is about connecting notes in a way that encourages the emergence of new ideas, which Obsidian facilitates effectively.
• 📚 The script mentions 'How to Take Smart Notes', a book that explains the Zettelkasten technique and its principles for successful writing.
• 💻 To get started with Obsidian, users need to download it from Obsidian.md, create a 'vault' for storing notes, and begin linking notes and using tags.
• 🔗 Linking notes in Obsidian is done by typing double open square brackets followed by the name of the file to link to, creating a web of interconnected ideas.
• 📁 The 'vault' in Obsidian is essentially a folder that houses all markdown files containing the user's notes.
• 🌐 Obsidian's power lies in its ability to create a personal wiki where all important thoughts and ideas from various projects are interconnected and accessible.
• 🚀 The script encourages users to start using Obsidian without getting caught up in researching the 'perfect' tool, emphasizing that Obsidian does everything needed to build a PKB.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is Obsidian, a tool that enhances thinking and creativity by providing an electronic version of a historical note-taking technique.

What does the speaker suggest about the complexity of Obsidian?

The speaker suggests that although some people say Obsidian is complicated and offputting, it is actually not, and it has a fascinating story and capability.

Who is Elizabeth Gilbert, and what is her connection to the video's topic?

Elizabeth Gilbert is the author of 'Big Magic, Creative Living Beyond Fear.' She is mentioned in the video as she asks a question about bringing forth hidden treasures within oneself, which Obsidian can help uncover.

What is the Zettelkasten method, and how is it related to Obsidian?

The Zettelkasten method is a note-taking technique used by many great thinkers and writers, where each note is an idea connected to other relevant notes. Obsidian is seen as a digital implementation of this method, mimicking the way our brains work.

Who is Nicholas Luhmann, and what is his significance in the context of the video?

Nicholas Luhmann was a social scientist and prolific writer who attributed his high productivity to the Zettelkasten method. His approach is relevant to the video as it exemplifies the effectiveness of the method that Obsidian emulates.

What is a 'vault' in Obsidian, and why is it important?

A 'vault' in Obsidian is essentially a folder where all your notes are stored. It is important because it houses all the markdown files that make up your personal knowledge base.

How does Obsidian facilitate the linking of notes?

Obsidian facilitates the linking of notes by allowing users to create a link by typing double open square brackets followed by the name of the file they want to link to. If the file doesn't exist, clicking on the link will create it.

What role do tags play in Obsidian, and how are they used?

Tags in Obsidian help combine notes into categories. Users type a hashtag followed by the tag they want to create. All notes with that tag are linked, and a note can have more than one tag.

Why is Obsidian described as a 'personal Wiki' or 'PKB'?

Obsidian is described as a 'personal Wiki' or 'PKB' (Personal Knowledge Base) because it allows users to link all their important thoughts and ideas from various projects, making them accessible and interconnected like the worldwide web.

What is the documentary 'Hannah Fry's Magic Numbers' about, and where can it be found?

The documentary 'Hannah Fry's Magic Numbers' is about the evolution of mathematics from its philosophical origins to its status as a universal language and the foundation for all of science. It can be found on Mellen TV, a platform offering a curated selection of documentaries.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the use of tools like Obsidian?

The speaker advises against falling into the trap of spending hours researching the 'right' tool, as this can lead to wasted time. Instead, the focus should be on using a tool like Obsidian effectively to build a personal knowledge base.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Unveiling Obsidian: A Tool for Enhanced Creativity and Thought

The first paragraph introduces the video's focus on Obsidian, a versatile tool that can enhance one's thinking and creativity. It dispels the myth that Obsidian is complicated and instead highlights its roots in historical techniques used by great thinkers and writers. The script references Elizabeth Gilbert's 'Big Magic' and the concept of bringing forth personal treasures, which Obsidian can help uncover. It explains that Obsidian is more than a note-taking app; it's a thought-linking app that mimics the way our brains naturally connect ideas. The paragraph also introduces the Zettelkasten method, a note-taking technique attributed to writers like Nicholas Luhmann, and suggests that Obsidian is an excellent tool for implementing this method. The script ends by sharing the author's personal use of Obsidian to write the video script itself.

05:01

🔗 The Power of Linking in Obsidian: Building a Personal Knowledge Base

The second paragraph delves into the power of linking within Obsidian, likening it to the worldwide web, where ideas and notes can be interconnected to form a personal knowledge base (PKB). It contrasts the traditional method of note-taking and research, where ideas are often trapped within individual documents, with the interconnected web of thought that Obsidian facilitates. The paragraph emphasizes the transformative potential of Obsidian for the way one thinks and works, and it cautions against spending excessive time researching tools instead of using them. The script also mentions a documentary on Mellan TV called 'Hannah Fry's Magic Numbers,' which explores the evolution of mathematics, as an example of the diverse content available on the platform.

Keywords

💡Obsidian

Obsidian is a digital note-taking application that helps users organize and link their thoughts and ideas. In the video, it is positioned as a tool to enhance thinking and creativity, aligning with how great thinkers historically organized their thoughts. Obsidian is described as more than a note-taking app; it’s seen as a thought-linking app, allowing users to create a personal knowledge base that mimics the brain’s natural way of forming connections.

💡Zettelkästen

Zettelkästen is a method of note-taking that involves writing ideas on individual cards and linking them to related notes. The video references this method as a way to emulate the thought processes of the brain. It discusses how Obsidian utilizes the principles of Zettelkästen by encouraging users to create individual notes that are interconnected, much like how our thoughts link together naturally.

💡Personal Knowledge Base (PKB)

A Personal Knowledge Base (PKB) refers to a system for organizing and accessing personal information and knowledge. In the video, Obsidian is framed as a tool to create a PKB, allowing users to store and access all their thoughts and ideas in a connected web, enhancing the ability to retrieve and build upon previous knowledge.

💡Markdown

Markdown is a lightweight markup language for creating formatted text using a plain-text editor. The video mentions Markdown as the format in which notes are stored in Obsidian. Learning Markdown is encouraged as it enables users to improve the appearance and structure of their notes, contributing to a more organized and visually appealing personal knowledge base.

💡Creativity

Creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something. The video suggests that Obsidian can enhance creativity by helping users organize their thoughts and ideas in a flexible and interconnected manner. This structure facilitates the emergence of new ideas and connections, reflecting the natural flow of creative thinking.

💡Linked Ideas

Linked Ideas refers to the concept of connecting different thoughts or pieces of information that are related. The video emphasizes how Obsidian enables the creation of links between notes, mirroring the way the brain processes information by forming connections between different ideas. This feature is central to the functionality of Obsidian, as it supports the development of a cohesive knowledge network.

💡Vault

In Obsidian, a Vault is a folder where all the notes are stored. The video explains that users create a Vault when they first start using Obsidian, choosing a name and a location on their computer. The Vault acts as the central repository for all notes, allowing for easy access and organization of information.

💡Plugins

Plugins are add-ons that extend the functionality of an application. The video mentions that Obsidian supports thousands of plugins, which can enhance the user experience by adding new features and capabilities. This allows users to customize their note-taking experience and adapt Obsidian to their specific needs.

💡Tags

Tags are keywords or labels that categorize and organize content. In Obsidian, tags help users group notes into categories, making it easier to find and link related notes. The video highlights the use of tags as a fundamental feature for organizing information and creating connections between different ideas.

💡Personal Wiki

A Personal Wiki is a system where an individual can create, organize, and link their knowledge in a way that is personal and unique to them. The video describes Obsidian as a Personal Wiki, where users can follow links between notes, akin to navigating a web of personal knowledge. This approach facilitates a more dynamic and interconnected way of thinking and learning.

Highlights

Obsidian is a tool designed to enhance thinking and creativity by providing an electronic version of a historical note-taking technique.

Obsidian is sometimes misunderstood as complicated, but the video aims to clarify its simplicity and utility.

Elizabeth Gilbert in 'Big Magic' connects courage with the ability to bring forth hidden creative treasures, a concept Obsidian supports.

Obsidian allows for the organization of thoughts in a manner similar to how the human brain naturally processes information.

The video introduces Nicholas Lumen, a prolific writer who attributed his success to the Zettelkasten method, which Obsidian emulates.

Zettelkasten is a note-taking method that links ideas, mimicking the brain's thought process and fostering new ideas.

The book 'How to Take Smart Notes' is recommended for further understanding of the Zettelkasten method and learning theory.

Obsidian is not just a note-taking app but a thought-linking app that encourages the emergence of new ideas.

The video script was written using Obsidian, demonstrating its practical application.

A 'vault' in Obsidian is a folder where all notes are stored, and it's the starting point for organizing thoughts.

Obsidian's interface is simple, allowing users to get started with creating notes and linking them easily.

Linking notes in Obsidian is done by typing double open square brackets followed by the file name, creating a direct connection between ideas.

Tags in Obsidian help categorize and combine notes, allowing for multi-faceted organization of thoughts.

Obsidian offers advanced features such as backlinks, search functionality, and markdown support for more complex note organization.

Plugins and templates in Obsidian can further customize the note-taking experience to suit individual needs.

Obsidian enables the creation of a personal knowledge base (PKB), a web of interconnected ideas that can transform thinking.

The video emphasizes the importance of starting with the basics in Obsidian and developing a personal system over time.

Obsidian prevents the loss of ideas by creating a linked system where thoughts from different projects can interconnect.

The video concludes by advising viewers not to fall into the trap of endless tool research, which can be a waste of time.

A documentary recommendation, 'Hannah Fry's Magic Numbers', is shared as a resource for further exploration of mathematical concepts.

Transcripts

in this video we're going to delve into

obsidium we're going to look at what it

is how it works and how it can enhance

your thinking and your creativity take a

look what do you think some people say

that it's very complicated which can be

offputting it's not though the story of

obsidian is a fascinating one it enables

you to have an electronic version of a

technique used by many of the great

thinkers and writers throughout history

get yourself comfortable while we dig

into obsidian in her book big magic

creative living beyond fear Elizabeth

Gilbert asks the question do you have

the courage to bring forth the treasures

that are hidden within you obsidian is a

tool that will help you uncover those

Treasures oh that's what I like about it

how do you think I don't mean at a

biological level I mean when you're

thinking about a subject or an event

what happens you probably have a series

of connected thoughts going through your

mind some are clustered tightly around a

particular topic others are related but

more distant and some of those thoughts

could be relevant to other subjects that

aren't currently the focus of your

attention obsidian is sometimes referred

to as a notetaking app which makes it

sound boring and understands what it's

capable of I see it more as a thought

linking app have you heard of Nicholas

lummen there's no reason why you should

unless you're a fan of zettle Casten

Nicholas Lumen was a social scientist

and a prolific writer he wrote 70 books

and almost 400 papers what subjects did

he write on well the according to

Wikipedia uh law economy politics art

religion ecology mass media and love he

attributed his huge capacity for writing

to the zetel Casten method and a lot of

other writers and thinkers have used

something similar Walter Benjamin Lee

nits Ronald Reagan this video is not

about Ronald Reagan or the zettle castan

method but now that I've mentioned it

I'll give you a brief overview because

it is very relevant to obsidian uh zetel

Casten is a notetaking method each note

is an idea a thought a piece of

information and each new note is

connected to other potentially relevant

notes but wait a minute that's how we

described thought processes earlier on

linked

ideas and zettle Casten is designed to

mimic the way our brains work

encouraging the emergence of new ideas

obsidian is fabulous for that if you

want to find out more about zetel Casten

there's a book there's always a book how

to take smart notes um this is uh split

into three sections the first section is

about zettle Casten I mean it's all

related to zettle Casten but the first

section explains the technique and then

the second section talks about the four

underlying principles and the third

section is the six six steps to

successful writing I thought sections

two and three were better than the first

section but those two sections talk

about learning or the theory of learning

and I like the book for that reason and

now to obsidian and by the way guess

which app I used to write the script for

this video yes obsidian to get it you go

to obsidian MD and you can download it

once you've downloaded and installed it

then open it up and you need to create a

vault now vault is essentially a folder

where all your notes are stored on the

first launch you'll be prompted to

create a new Vault choose a name and a

location on your computer for your Vault

and the Vault will house all your notes

but just just simple markdown files and

this is the obsidian interface I'm going

to show you the most basic setup get

used to that and then over time your way

of using it will emerge exactly what

will happen with your

ideas this is all you need to know to

get started control n command n on a Mac

opens a new note give the note a title

at the top of the note and that's also

the file name linking notes is Obsidian

strength you create a link by typing

double open square bracket and then the

name of the file that you want to link

to if that file hasn't already exist by

clicking on it you will create that file

and tags tags help you combine notes in

two categories type a hashtag and then

the tag that you want to create all

notes with that tag will be linked and

you can give a note more than one tag

and that's it that's all you need to

know to get you started there's so much

more you can create folders there are

back links showing you how many notes

link to the current node you can look at

how many outlinks there are in a

particular note you can search notes and

filter the results there are thousands

of plugins you can make templates for

frequently created notes you can

synchronize everything across multiple

devices and make your notes look better

by learning markdown all of this will

come but but to start with create a note

create links and use tags and then

develop your own system why does this

work imagine you're writing an essay you

do your research make notes write them

in a Word document you expand on your

ideas and everything goes in the word

document when you finish writing the

essay you save your notes close them and

then move on to the next project all of

those thoughts and ideas are trapped in

that document are not accessible for any

other project with each project you

create these research and note prisons

your work from previous projects cannot

link to new work it's kind of lost and

wasted the power of obsidian is that all

of your important thoughts and ideas

from projects are linked to other

important thoughts and ideas from other

projects it's like the worldwide web you

can follow links it's the web of your

brain your personal Wiki the proper name

for it is pkb personal knowledge base

it's powerful use it and is Obsidian the

best tool for this kind of thing

yes no yeah I don't know depending on

who you ask it's the best or there are

many apps that are better it's great or

it isn't the important point is this it

works and it does everything that you

need it to do to build your personal

knowledge base which could transform the

way you think and now you've watched

this video you know how to use it don't

fall into the Trap of spending hours

trying to research the right tool

because you'll waste your time worse

than that you'll waste your time under

the illusion that you're spending it

wisely oh before you go there's

something I want to share that I think

you'll like it's a documentary I found

on mellan TV called Hannah Fri magic

numbers it's a journey through the

evolution of maths from its

philosophical Origins to its status as a

universal language and the foundation

for all of science mellan TV is a

platform that's dedicated to bringing

you a curated selection of the finest

documentaries from around the world the

adree 4K content includes the drama of

History the thrill of scientific

discovery and the beauty of the natural

world click on the link in the

description to get a 30-day free trial

and watch Hannah Fry's magic numbers and

all the rest of mellan TV's extensive

collection of over 3,000 documentaries