The Illusion of Value: Why Notes Apps Are Where Ideas Go to Die

Aug 04, 2023

4 min read

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In today's digital age, we have an abundance of tools and apps designed to help us remember. From note-taking apps to bookmarking tools, we have countless ways to store and organize our thoughts, ideas, and findings. But have you ever stopped to think about why we feel the need to save all this information? Why do we invest so much time and effort into capturing our thoughts, only to rarely revisit them?

The truth is, notes apps are where ideas go to die. And surprisingly, that's actually a good thing. We save our notes and thoughts as a form of insurance for the future. It's a way to feel safe, knowing that we have a record of our ideas, even if we never look back at them again. In a way, it's a natural behavior rooted in our tendency to justify loss aversion.

Loss aversion is a concept explained by psychologist Daniel Kahneman in his book, "Thinking, Fast and Slow." It refers to the idea that we are more sensitive to losses than gains. Our biological instincts prioritize avoiding threats over seeking out opportunities. And this concept extends to how we treat our thoughts and findings.

We ascribe value to our ideas and discoveries because they took time and effort to think up and find. We fear losing them because we want our actions to have meaning and productivity. But in reality, most of our thoughts and random findings aren't actually valuable. We write them down, save them in apps, and bookmark them, only to never give them a second thought.

Imagine writing down your thoughts on a piece of paper, setting fire to it, and scattering the ashes to the wind. That's essentially the same value we get from our notes. They serve as a form of mental insurance, allowing us to forget without feeling like our memories were in vain. Only when we feel safe forgetting can we truly let go.

However, this illusion of value often leads us to blame the tools and techniques we use. We hop from one note-taking app to another, believing that the next one will finally solve our problem of forgotten ideas. We keep seeking the new and better thing, only to end up in the same cycle of safely forgetting.

The reality is that the value lies not in the tools we use, but in our ability to let go. We don't need to remember everything. Instead, we should focus on resurfacing what truly matters. By recognizing that most of our ideas and discoveries aren't worth much on their own, we can free ourselves from the burden of trying to remember everything.

So, what can we do to break free from the cycle of safely forgetting and find true value in our notes and ideas? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

Embrace intentional forgetting: Instead of hoarding every thought and idea, be intentional about what you choose to remember. Recognize that not everything is worth holding onto and allow yourself to forget without feeling guilty.
Prioritize reflection over accumulation: Instead of constantly seeking new apps and tools, take the time to reflect on your existing notes and ideas. Look for patterns, connections, and insights that can truly add value to your work. It's not about the quantity of notes, but the quality of the ideas within them.
Find a partner, not a firm: When it comes to finding investors or partners for your venture, focus on the individual rather than the company they represent. Look for someone who has experience in both product-market fit (PMF) and scaling. The right partner can provide invaluable guidance and support, helping you avoid costly mistakes.

In conclusion, notes apps may be where ideas go to die, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. They serve as a form of mental insurance, allowing us to forget without feeling like our memories were in vain. By recognizing the illusion of value in our thoughts and findings, we can free ourselves from the burden of trying to remember everything. Embrace intentional forgetting, prioritize reflection, and find the right partner to guide you on your journey.