#+title:      Zettelkasten Method
#+date:       [2024-01-15 Mon]
#+filetags:   :notes:methodology:
#+identifier: 20240115T093012

* What is Zettelkasten?

The Zettelkasten (German: "slip box") is a personal knowledge management system developed by sociologist Niklas Luhmann. He wrote over 70 books and 400 scholarly articles using this method.

* Core Principles

** Atomic Notes

Each note contains exactly one idea. This forces clarity and enables flexible linking.

** Unique Identifiers

Every note gets a permanent, unique ID — in Denote, this is the timestamp =20240115T093012=.

** Links Between Notes

Notes connect to each other through explicit links. Over time, clusters of knowledge emerge naturally.

* Why It Works

- Forces you to reformulate ideas in your own words
- Creates a "second brain" that grows more useful over time
- Surfaces unexpected connections between different domains

* Getting Started

1. Write a fleeting note whenever you encounter an interesting idea
2. Process it into a permanent note within 24 hours
3. Link it to at least one existing note
4. Let the structure emerge from the content