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Permanent notes

Permanent notes are the fundamental, durable units of knowledge within a Zettelkasten system.^[300-閱讀筆記__Zettelkasten.md] Unlike Fleeting notes—which capture temporary thoughts—and Literature notes—which record information from external sources—permanent notes are refined, fully-formed ideas intended for long-term retention and integration.^[300-閱讀筆記__Zettelkasten.md]

Core Principles

To ensure their utility within the knowledge network, permanent notes are constructed according to specific guidelines:

  • Atomicity: Each note should focus on a single idea or topic to maintain clarity.^[300-閱讀筆記__Zettelkasten.md]
  • Independence: A note must be comprehensible on its own, without relying on external context. This allows it to be moved, merged, or linked freely.^[300-閱讀筆記__Zettelkasten.md]
  • Autonomy: Concepts should be explained in the author's own words rather than through copying and pasting source text.^[300-閱讀筆記__Zettelkasten.md]

Workflow and Integration

The primary function of a permanent note is to contribute to a interconnected web of knowledge. This is achieved by actively linking new notes to existing ones, explicitly annotating the reason for the connection.^[300-閱讀筆記__Zettelkasten.md]

To preserve the evolution of thought, old or outdated notes are never deleted.^[300-閱讀筆記__Zettelkasten.md] Instead, they are linked to newer iterations to document past errors, updates, or the development of understanding.^[300-閱讀筆記__Zettelkasten.md]

Sources

^[300-閱讀筆記__Zettelkasten.md]