Notes in the Margins

I had often heard about this, but I could never truly grasp the idea myself. I’m talking about the fact that notes, in any format or medium, are first and foremost for ourselves.

Earlier, inspired by Luhmann, Matuschak, and others, I wrote notes because “that’s what you’re supposed to do.” I had heard they worked, that “evergreen” notes should produce some kind of effect in the future. I believed it, but I didn’t really understand what it meant for a note to “work.” Of course, I enjoyed writing, and that gave me energy to continue, but from time to time I would find myself facing a concrete wall with a large inscription: “WHY?”

Andy has a whole note about this, but until you encounter it yourself, it still remains someone else’s experience.

Now, as I work on my own product, I’m starting to better understand the role of notes: they outline contours, connect ideas, and create a nourishing environment¹. At that point, the medium stops mattering. Voice, text, essay, video, book — all of these are just containers.

In the end, they’re simply notes in the margins. Reference points along the way.