Summary

The article discusses the author's preference for simplicity in Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) over the complexity introduced by advanced software and methodologies.

Abstract

The author of the article reflects on the tendency to overcomplicate Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) with sophisticated software and methodologies, such as Obsidian, Notion, Roam Research, and Zettlekasten. They argue that while these tools and systems may be necessary for some, such as rocket scientists, many people may not need such complexity. The author suggests that the proliferation of PKM tools, processes, courses, and forums can lead to a cycle of endless searching for the "Holy Grail" of PKM, which can be counterproductive. The article hints at a follow-up piece where the author will share their own simple PKM methods and the essential tool they rely on.

Opinions

The author believes that the automation in technology, like car headlights, often adds unnecessary complexity to simple tasks.
They express skepticism about the need for advanced PKM software and methodologies for the average person.
The author suggests that the PKM industry has created a "complexity trap" that may seduce users into adopting more intricate systems than they need.
They caution against the allure of sophisticated tools and the belief that they are the definitive solution to PKM, likening the quest for the perfect tool to the search for the Holy Grail.
The author implies that the time and effort spent on learning and setting up complex PKM systems might be disproportionate to the benefits for most users.
They humorously compare the pursuit of the ideal PKM setup to a Monty Python sketch, emphasizing the absurdity of overcomplicating the process.
The author teases that their personal PKM approach is straightforward and doesn't involve any of the complex tools mentioned in the article.

Simplifying Personal Knowledge Management

Escaping the Complexity Trap

I’m a simple fellow.

I like simple things.

And it strikes me that there are too many complicated things in this world. Things that don’t need to be so.

Take the headlights on my car (bear with me). They’re automated. They come on as dusk falls and should I be driving around at stupid-o-clock, they’ll go off again as dawn breaks. At least that’s the theory. The problem is, the technology involved in making this happen doesn’t actually know what time of day it is. Drive under the shadow of some trees in broad daylight and the lights come on. If there are multiple pools of shadow the lights come on, go off, come on, go off… The guy in front wonders why I’m flashing him.

I don’t need that.

I know when it’s appropriate to put my headlights on. The click of a switch is all it takes.… Simple.

But I’ve digressed (sort of).

My point is this.

Sometimes (often) we humans turn simple into complicated. And not always for the better.

Take Personal Knowledge Management (PKM).

A flood of sophisticated cutting-edge software has inundated planet PKM.

Obsidian
Notion
Roam Research
RemNote
Capacities
Heptabase

There are many more.

And it’s not only software. Associated methodologies abound.

PARA
Johnny Decimal
LYT (Linking Your Thinking)
Zettlekasten

And of course, you’re going to need a way of connecting everything. TOCs, backlinks, graphs, tags, folders etc.

Managing knowledge is a complicated business, isn’t it?

But here’s my question: Does it need to be?

For some, I guess it does.

But I already held my hands up. I’m a simple guy with simple needs. My personal knowledge would be of no use to a rocket scientist. In PKM terms I’m the village yokel sitting on a gate chewing straw.

I accept that rocket scientists need complexity.

But for the rest of us, it’s worth checking that we haven’t been seduced. Lured away from unsullied Ms Simple into the cathouse of Mme. Complicated.

And if you’ll forgive another (less sexist) analogy.

That we’re not trying to use space shuttles to nip down the shops.

Because it’s all too easy for that to happen. I know. I’ve been there.

All those tools listed above. I’ve spent days, weeks, playing with them.

All those processes. Same story.

I’ve bought courses, watched tutorials, and lurked on forums. I’ve downloaded plugins and templates, tweaked and refined, built and re-built.

All these tools claim to be the Holy Grail of PKM and we’re all too ready to believe. Usually, it takes a while to discover we’ve been fooled. And what do we do? We shrug our shoulders and set off on another quest. Our faith is undiminished. The Grail is out there, we know it.

We’re as characters in that Monty Python film.

On a never-ending journey dotted with comedic events.

Always trying to avoid being cast into the Gorge of Eternal Peril.

I make light of it.

But it’s not funny.

Because like Python’s King Arthur, we’re riding a pretend horse to the sound of clacking coconuts.

And that’s not getting us where we need to be.

Next time I’ll lift the lid on my own simple PKM methods and the one tool I can’t do without. (Spoiler alert. It’s none of those listed above)