During my travels, I often talk about using the Zettelkasten method, which piques people’s curiosity. They asked questions like, “What exactly is it?” and “Why not just use a computer for this?” Today, I want to share the benefits of this analog system and how it ties into the writing processes used by comedians and the insights shared by magician Mike Caveney.
What Is Zettelkasten?
Zettelkasten, a German term meaning “slip-box,” is a method of note-taking and knowledge management using index cards. You write ideas, quotes, and references on these cards and organize them in a way that allows for easy cross-referencing and the creation of new connections. The physical act of handling and arranging the cards helps uncover relationships between ideas that might not be immediately apparent in a digital system.
Why Not Go Digital?
This question often comes up: why not use Evernote or another digital tool? While digital systems are efficient, they often limit you to finding exactly what you’re looking for, missing out on the serendipitous discoveries that can happen with physical cards. Handling the cards and flipping through them can lead to unexpected insights and connections that aren’t as easily found in digital files.
Lessons From Comedy Writing
National Comedy Center
On a recent trip from Providence, Rhode Island, to Jamestown, New York, I visited the National Comedy Center. This visit highlighted the importance of the writing process in comedy. I saw the handwritten notes and index cards of legendary comedians like Joan Rivers and George Carlin. Joan Rivers had thousands of cards with individual jokes, constantly revising and refining them. George Carlin’s notes showed a similar process of continuously honing his material.
George Carlin’s list of jokes about the English language. You can see the edits on the individual pages.
Why College Students Should Learn From Comedians’ Writing Processes
Seeing comedians’ writing processes is important for college students because it demonstrates the value of writing, rewriting, and honing a message. Comedy writing isn’t just about the final joke; it’s about the numerous revisions and tweaks that make it perfect. This meticulous process is similar to academic writing and can teach students the importance of perseverance and attention to detail.
The Value of Paging Through Magazines: Insights From Mike Caveney
During my recent trip, I also listened to a fascinating podcast featuring Mike Caveney, a renowned magician and historian of magic. Caveney emphasized the unique benefits of physically paging through magazines rather than relying solely on databases. He highlighted how manually flipping through the pages of old magazines can lead to unexpected discoveries. When you search a database, you often go directly to the information you seek, which is efficient but limiting. In contrast, paging through a physical magazine allows you to stumble upon articles, tricks, and insights you might not have known existed.
Serendipity in Research
Caveney pointed out that when you randomly come across an old trick or article you haven’t seen in years, it can spark new ideas and inspiration. This serendipitous discovery process is invaluable. It opens up possibilities that might never have emerged through a targeted database search. The tactile experience of handling physical pages engages your mind differently, making connecting and drawing insights from seemingly unrelated pieces of information easier.
Tying It Back to Zettelkasten
This concept ties beautifully into my use of the Zettelkasten method. Like Caveney’s experience with magazines, handling and organizing index cards in Zettelkasten can lead to serendipitous connections. When you manually write down your ideas and shuffle through your cards, you’re more likely to notice patterns and relationships that might not be evident in a digital format. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper engagement with your material, enhancing your creativity and understanding.
Conclusion
The Zettelkasten method, the comedy writing processes of legends like Joan Rivers and George Carlin, and Mike Caveney’s insights on the value of paging through magazines show the unique power of analog systems. For college students, learning from these methods can foster a deeper understanding of the importance of revising and perfecting their work. So, next time you’re tempted to go straight to a database, consider picking up a magazine or a stack of index cards. You might just find the inspiration you were looking for—and more.
