Summary
This discussion delves into the intricacies of personal knowledge management through the lens of Obsidian, a powerful note-taking and knowledge management application. The conversation highlights the importance of a second brain, a concept that emphasizes externalizing thoughts and information to augment cognitive capacity. Specific techniques and workflows are explored, including the use of tags for organization, the creation of templates for efficiency, and the development of a personal wiki for interconnected knowledge. The benefits of these methods are detailed, such as enhanced learning, improved creativity, and better project management. The discussion also touches upon the flexibility of Obsidian, allowing users to tailor the software to their unique needs and workflows, fostering a deeper engagement with their information.
See also How To Template Zettelkasten In Obsidian + Practical Note-Taking.
Takeaways
This video opened my eyes to the possibilities that Obsidian opens through its opinionated, heavily-customizable format. Ewan seems to have totally locked in his setup, which inspires me to seek to do the same. I see his setup as quite literally a second brain—a concept I couldn’t quite fathom before—where everything is semantically connected like the neurons in your brain.
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I see it as creating the Markov chain of your brain
I hope that I can find inspiration through building my own second brain. Today, 2/2/26, marks the first day of seeking this cognitive justice.