The Freedom to Think: Why Open-Ended PKM Systems Matter
Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) tools should empower, not restrict. Embrace flexibility and avoid prescriptive systems that stifle individuality and creativity.
As we navigate the vast expanse of information and ideas that surround us, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and disorganized. This is where Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) comes in – a deliberate approach to capturing, organizing, and connecting the knowledge and insights that matter most to us. By cultivating a personalized system for managing our thoughts and ideas, we can unlock new levels of creativity, productivity, and understanding. But with so many tools and methods vying for our attention, it's essential to approach PKM with a critical and discerning eye.
I mentioned in another post that I find some of the tools designed with only one Personal Knowledge Management system to be overly restrictive. They can be good to experiment with, but the problem is that they always tie you into a predefined way of handling your thinking – that can sometimes be a strength, offering you new vistas to explore. But being tied to someone else's idea of the perfect note system can also hamper your individuality.
Learning a PKM system takes time, patience, and practice, and you may eventually find yourself ready to settle down with a very specialized tool that best supports a specific style or method of knowledge management.
However, for those starting out on the PKM journey, I stress that tools which are more open-ended and allow for personal deviation from pre-scripted systems are actually the batter choice.
I have what I call a permeable boundaries model of PKM to describe my thinking on this.
The permeable boundaries model of PKM
Within current computer operating systems, the file-folder structure of information is the most prevalent.
By placing folders within other folders, you can create ever-deeper categories of information. The trouble is that what is placed into one folder is not visible from, or in any way connected to, the information in another folder.
A PKM system needs to allow for the organization of information into categories while ensuring that information in one category can be seen, and connected with, information in other categories. The tool that you use for such a PKM system must also allow for this type of visibility and interconnection.
Ultimately, by embracing flexibility and adaptability, we can create a PKM system that truly serves us, fostering creativity, individuality, and a deeper understanding of the world around us. As we navigate the complexities of knowledge management, let us prioritize openness, connection, and freedom of thought – and unlock the full potential of our minds.