Have you ever wondered if Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) is about more than just finding better tools?
It’s really about understanding how our minds process and organize information. The real shift is in how we view and handle knowledge itself, moving from linear to nonlinear thinking.
From Linear to Nonlinear Knowledge
Traditionally, knowledge was structured linearly, like reading a book from start to finish or following the progression of an academic research paper from introduction to conclusion. This method was clear but rigid.
Today, the internet and search engines let us jump directly to relevant parts, reflecting the idea of nonlinear knowledge. Instead of one fixed path, information now exists as a web of interconnected points, offering multiple pathways for exploration and discovery.
How the Brain Stores Knowledge
Our brains store knowledge by forming links between concepts, a process driven by neurons and synapses.
When you learn a new idea, it connects to existing knowledge, much like how an AI might link a note on “Escher’s artwork” to one on “Bach’s music.” These links, though weak at first, strengthen with usage.
This is called “spreading activation”, and it mirrors how PKM tools like Roam Research and Obsidian work. By using “bidirectional linking”, these tools connect notes in a way that resembles how neurons form connections in the brain, creating a “thinking network.”
The Limits of Current Tools
Many PKM tools still rely on old “folder + subfolder” systems, which reflect linear thinking. While this works for reports and papers, it limits cross-topic connections. Users often have to store one idea in a single location, rather than allowing it to exist in multiple contexts simultaneously.
The Future of PKM: Smarter, Adaptive Networks
Future PKM tools will offer dynamic and adaptive linking. Instead of users manually connecting notes, AI will suggest links based on usage habits, search terms, and click behavior.
This approach allows the system to surface hidden connections automatically. With AI’s ability to generalize and identify patterns, these systems will bridge gaps in our knowledge and help us think in new ways.
The “ChatGPT Moment” in PKM
We’re shifting from “remembering knowledge” to “creating new knowledge”. The nonlinear paradigm isn’t just about better tools — it’s a shift in thinking.
Our “second brain” is no longer a storage vault but a thinking partner. Imagine writing on “Keynes” and having AI suggest connections to “Newtonian Mechanics.” These unexpected links, known as “weak links”, can spark creativity and insight.
The “ChatGPT moment” for PKM is already here. Human-machine collaboration will give rise to a brain-like knowledge network, where tools help discover connections, users reinforce them, and together they create something smarter and more adaptive.
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