(2019-12-23) Hoy ThinkingTool Designing

Amy Hoy is thinking about designs for a Tools for Thought code-named "phyla": ways & why’s we gather notes and references, and what we do with them. conceptual approaches and “modes.”...GATHER mode is very different from the other mode of bookmarking/saving — DUMP... controversial opinion: maps / webs are a thinking tool only good for when you first make it, not an organizational or reference tool. webs (associative) suck for organizing and retrieval... i hate outlining. when i write, structure is very important, but it’s ALSO emergent. i use index cards. i slide them around (whiteboard) until the flow feels right. a story is a multi-dimensional space. software wants you to pin the butterfly to the mat IMMEDIATELY. Ah, she already has an MVP working (for herself).

Jul24'2021: computers can do ANYTHING with text documents (and text IN documents):

• totally free-form layouts
• lists
• webs
• versioning
• infinite references
• “free” duplications

but software designers only ever pick one. if that.

tweets over time

Jan19'2020: i’ve been trying to come with a model for phyla where i don’t waste a ton of energy trying to monetize it; i don’t think it’s a viable business

Jan09'2022: had a prototype working before we got covid/the pandemic and haven’t been able to work on it since