Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1213IR // #c1213Synthesis

"Remember the lesson: ‘An idea or a fact is not worth more merely because it is easily available to you.’"

— In our words · Source: How to Take Smart Notes (Sönke Ahrens)

[Use when]

A team is about to pick a direction from whatever ideas surface in a single meeting.

[Why it matters]

Ahrens opens his case against brainstorming with Munger's line. What comes to mind in a session is what is most recent or vivid, which is a poor proxy for what is most promising. An external store of notes widens the pool.

More from How to Take Smart Notes

#c1208"The trick is that he did not organise his notes by topic, but in the rather abstract way of giving them fixed numbers. The numbers bore no…Your files or notes are sorted into categories that no longer match how you actually think about the work. #c1209"By restricting ourselves to one format, we also restrict ourselves to just one idea per note and force ourselves to be as precise and…You're building a library of ideas, research or reusable material and want the pieces to combine later. #c1210"Write exactly one note for each idea and write as if you were writing for someone else: Use full sentences, disclose your sources, make…You're capturing anything you expect to use in writing, a pitch or a decision months from now.

Same situation, different book

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