The Analog Knowledge System (Antinet) is the Best Tool for Visual Learners
I am a visual learner. Many people I’ve met are visual learners.
The ones who aren’t visual learners are just in denial. I’ve embraced this “flaw” and haven’t looked back. This is one of the main reasons why I am enjoying the analog knowledge management system (known as the “Antinet” in niche circles).
I mainly use 4 x 6 index cards to take notes. I dabbled with a journal. I’ve tried digital systems. All have their strengths. I was fairly productive when I was a full on digital note-taker, but I just couldn’t get over the lack of a visual and tactile feedback that only an analog system could provide.
There is something about physically seeing my thoughts that just clicked with me. I am able to see the relationships between different points and how they are connected. This can help me come up with new ideas for my writing and see where I might need to make changes in order to improve it. Plus, it’s just really satisfying to flip through a set of index cards and find ideas that I’ve written in the past. I could do all this in the digital world, but I simply enjoy this platform.
I am not going to lie. The search capability on my analog system is almost non-existent. However, I’ve found that this forces me to think deeply about where to file a notecard. It forces me to think deeply about how to index the notecard. All of this deep thinking helps to internalize the notecard’s contents.
Overall, I’ve found that taking notes has not only helped me better remember the material, but also helped me become a better writer. The process of visually laying out my notes has allowed to see the relationships between different points and how they are connected.
