The True Value of Notes Apps: Insurance for Ideas

The True Value of Notes Apps: Insurance for Ideas

Notes apps, the digital repositories of our thoughts, ideas, and findings, are often referred to as the graveyard for creativity. But perhaps that's not such a bad thing. We save our notes, links, and thoughts as a form of insurance for the future, providing us with a sense of security even if we never revisit them. It's a natural behavior rooted in our desire to justify loss aversion.

Interestingly enough, we don't write things down to remember them. We write them down to forget. This concept may seem counterintuitive at first, but it holds a deeper truth. When we engage in the process of writing, we retrieve information from our minds, which aids in memory retention. However, when we jot down fleeting notes, we often feel satisfied that we have captured the essence of our thoughts, and subsequently, we may forget the specifics. It's almost as if the act of writing itself provides a sense of closure, allowing us to move on without the burden of constant recollection.

This is where the true value of notebooks, notes apps, bookmarking tools, and other similar platforms lies. They serve as a form of insurance for our ideas. They provide us with the freedom to forget, knowing that our thoughts and findings are safely stored for future reference. Most of what we write down or save is not inherently valuable. We seldom revisit these notes, yet we ascribe value to them because they represent our time and effort. We fear losing them, and thus, we cling to them as if they hold immense significance.

Daniel Kahneman, in his book "Thinking, Fast and Slow," explains the concept of loss aversion. He states, "The response to losses is stronger than the response to gains." This biological tendency ingrained in our DNA compels us to treat threats as more urgent than opportunities. We strive for meaning and productivity, and we want to believe that our thoughts and findings contribute to our progress. However, the desire to remember everything can lead to an overwhelming mental burden, diminishing our ability to retain what truly matters.

We need to forget, but we can only do so once we feel safe in the knowledge that our memories were not in vain, that they will be there if we need them again. It is this sense of security that allows us to let go. However, as we flip through our old notes, we may come to the realization that most of our ideas and discoveries are not as valuable as we initially believed. The tools we use, whether it's Evernote, OneNote, Roam, or Obsidian, are not to blame. We blame them, and in turn, seek out new apps and techniques, hoping that they will provide a better solution. But ultimately, we find ourselves back in the cycle of safely forgetting things.

We may stumble upon our best ideas repeatedly, realizing that our notes serve more as a record of when we first encountered them rather than a wellspring of original thoughts. And yet, we continue to hold onto these notes, perpetuating the illusion of value. After all, storage is cheap, and as long as it gives us the mental safety to forget, we are willing to maintain this illusion.

So, how do we navigate this paradoxical relationship with notes apps and the insurance they provide for our ideas? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace the forgetfulness: Recognize that forgetting is a natural part of the creative process. Instead of fixating on the fear of losing ideas, focus on the act of capturing them in the first place. Allow yourself the freedom to forget, knowing that your notes serve as a safety net.

2. Curate and revisit selectively: Rather than attempting to remember everything, actively curate your notes and revisit them selectively. Identify the ideas and findings that truly hold value and prioritize those as you continue to explore new territories. By resurfacing what matters most, you can avoid the mental strain of trying to retain everything.

3. Emphasize meaning over accumulation: Shift your mindset from the accumulation of ideas to the pursuit of meaning. It's not about the sheer quantity of notes or the number of apps you try, but rather the depth of understanding and the impact your ideas can have. Focus on cultivating a discerning eye for what truly matters and let go of the rest.

In conclusion, notes apps serve as a form of insurance for our ideas. They provide us with the mental safety to forget while retaining the knowledge that our thoughts and findings are there if we need them. We must acknowledge that not everything we write down or save holds immense value, and that's perfectly fine. By embracing forgetfulness, curating selectively, and emphasizing meaning over accumulation, we can navigate the world of notes apps with a newfound sense of purpose and clarity.