Writing by Bob Doto

Folgezettel Will Not Necessarily Create Discrete Topical Sections in Your Zettelkasten

A common misunderstanding regarding alphanumeric IDs (aka "folgezettel") has to do with the first number in the sequence—i.e., the "1" in 1.3a6b, or the "17" in 17.4f. People sometimes assume these first numbers indicate clearly demarcated topical sections of the zettelkasten, where, say, the "1s" deal with social media and the "17s" ecology. While for some zettelkasten, especially those in their infancy, notes identified with the same first number will speak to the same topic, there’s no reason to believe this should or forever will be the case.

For more on how alphanumeric IDs / folgezettel function in a zettelkasten, check out my latest book A System for Writing: How an Unconventional Approach to Note-Making Can Help You Capture Ideas, Think Wildly, and Write Constantly.

Things are never just one thing

Let’s look at a selection of hypothetical main notes found in chapter 5 of my book, A System for Writing:

From the looks of it, all the notes beginning with "1," despite their varying jumping off points, have to do with apples, suggesting that "1" could conceivably delineate "Apple notes," or if things start to meander, "Fruit notes." But, watch what happens when I add the following notes to the bottom of this section:

Note 1.2a1 relates to the previous note, 1.2a, because in my mind it builds on, informs, or challenges it, fulfilling my criteria for establishing a connection. And, because the notes that follow do the same, the "1" at the beginning of the alphanumeric sequence can no longer be said to indicate "Apple notes." Instead, with the addition of ideas discussing biblical symbols, the discrete topical identity of "1" has ruptured.

But, this is not only hypothetical. The same thing happens in my actual zettelkasten:

Looking at the abbreviated sample above, it would appear as if the “4s” deal with personal knowledge management. After all, the first one hundred fifty notes in this section discuss pkm systems, Niklas Luhmann, and zettelkasten. That is, right up to note 4.3k1, after which the notes branch off into trains of thought discussing meaning-making, reading, and literary theory:

Using the criteria mentioned above, note 4.3k1a branches off “communication” in note 4.3k1 because it builds on, informs, or challenges it, leading to trains of thought that divert from the original focus of the section. So, what do the “4s” speak to now? PKM / Meaning-making / Reading / Literary theory. Far from a single topic.

But, this is not the only way first-number stability is undermined.

Not only are the first numbers in the alphanumeric sequence not bound to a single topic, they also don't lay claim to all notes dealing with that topic. For example, while some of my note IDs beginning with "4" discuss writing, the vast majority are identified by note IDs beginning with “6." Then, there are my notes on Bauhaus. While most of the note IDs starting with "19" contain thoughts on Bauhaus design, architecture, and the latter's relationship to socialism, any notes dealing with “Bauhaus writing” have thus far been given alphanumeric IDs beginning with "6." There are also my notes on "knowing" reflected in note IDs beginning with "3" and "4," notes dealing with spiritual topics beginning with "4" and "7," and notes on "labor" starting with "5" and "9."

In short, alphanumeric IDs need not indicate a discrete topical section, nor will the same alphanumeric ID have a monopoly on the topics you develop.

*If you enjoyed this piece, please pick up a copy of my latest book, A System for Writing: How an Unconventional Approach to Note-Making Can Help You Capture Ideas, Think Wildly, and Write Constantly. You may also sign up for my intermittent newsletter HERE. To read more of my writing, click HERE. To learn more about me, click HERE. For my full website, click HERE.

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