An interesting overview of the history of note-taking, specifically as it relates to the concept of a commonplace book and the myriad related forms, including the most recent idea of a digital garden.
It also serves as a reminder of all the things I want to achieve in this space, but have yet to find the time...
On the general lack of understanding behind note-taking:
People are “taught” (maybe told is the better verb) to take notes in school, but they’re never told why, what to do with them, or how to leverage them for maximum efficiency.
On the historical impact and use of commonplace books (I really like this sentiment):
... [commonplace books are] somewhat like a portable Google search engine for their day, but honed to [the author's] particular interests.
On florilegia, a term I've not come across before:
Florilegia are a subcategory of commonplace book starting around 900 CE but flourishing in the 12th and 13th centuries and primarily kept by theologians and preachers.
On wikis, and the discovery that I share my birthday with both the ending of the Third Age of Middle-Earth and their creation – sweet 😄:
Inspired, in part, by Apple’s HyperCard, Ward Cunningham created the first public wiki on his website on March 25, 1995
(Mildly related, but this does strike me as a good idea for a microsite, perhaps bday.theadhocracy.co.uk 😁)
On the (less than ideal) history of the term "second brain" (and why other terms should probably be preferred):
Second brain is a marketing term which stands in for the idea of the original commonplace book.
