Ideas (Concept)
by johnataylor · 10 things on NewTwos
- For researcher Bianca Pereira, "Ideas are not words or concepts that 'exist out there'. Instead, ideas are created by us, individually, within our minds and bodies..."
- Instead of concepts, Pereira views ideas as "Objects of Attention."
- It is a form of sensemaking, how we understand the world, develop new ideas, and organize our notes (thinking).
- > Objects of attention are the parts of the landscape that 'we choose' to be the focus of our attention.
- Pereira contrasts atomic notes with idea notes. Atomic notes, as those of us in the PKM world know well, contain a single idea. However, Pereira believes it is impossible for an idea to be contained in this way. How can we define the exact boundaries of an idea we want to write about? Plus, ideas are meant to be contrasted in view of other ideas, so for Pereira, it is unproductive to take note of a singular idea, without contrasting it with similar or diverse ideas.
- How can we test ideas in the marketplace of thought if we don't contrast or connect these ideas with others?
- > Idea notes focus on a single idea.
- Contrast this with atomic notes which *contain* a single idea. Instead, idea notes **focus** on a single idea, while tuning down competing ideas, separating them as needed into their own respective notes. This helps you make sense of your thinking, develop notes that reflect that thinking, and develop a clearer focus to contrast and "differentiate between ideas."
- Source: Prolific Researcher's Playbook (Subscribe)