(2022-02-13) Perret What Is The Point Of A Graph View

Arthur Perret: What is the point of a graph view? The defining characteristic of this group of tools is that they use hyperlinks to organize notes. Indeed, links aren't just navigation tools: they can be used to organize documents (in reticular fashion) just as folders and tags can be used to create hierarchies and apply taxonomies. (digital garden)

In practice though, many of those who use these new tools say that they don't use links very much

links aren't the users' top priority. The spot is occupied by mobile and sync: the most popular tools will be the ones to offer a mobile version and the ability to synchronize files hassle-free. For most people, linking between notes is far less important than being able to capture information on the go.

As I mentioned earlier, links are a way of organizing knowledge; they complement other methods, such as hierarchies and taxonomies

with contextualized backlinks, the power of linking is increased tenfold, as is the number of paths to information.

Now, the issue: these traditional technical documentation have been marginalized by search.

All this brings me to the question of the graph. (graph-drawing)

First of all, you’re not aware of what you’re making until you see it. And so the first use of the “graph” in the sense of a visualization, is to show you the existence of the other “graph”, the abstract structure.

Scholars use the word “text” as a concept to think about literature in a certain way. The words “graph” and “hypertext” are concepts as well,

This realization reorganizes the way you write. From now on, you pay attention to connections, contradictions, and all other kinds of associations. You start looking for patterns, not just in the things you write about but also in the writing technique itself

Visualization brings an overall view which helps to embrace the complexity and navigate it

It’s easier to identify patterns (regularities, irregularities) visually with a graph than by reading files

a third answer: a graph helps you find relevant information that you are not looking for

From the graph to the index card

I’m also wondering why their usefulness is questioned so much in the context of note-taking tools.

a graph view will be most useful if you have a strong methodology for note-taking, with an emphasis on linking

I will now make a dramatic (!) semantic shift from “note” to “index card”

In the scholarly tradition, the card is an important instrument

Paul Otlet, the Belgian pioneer of documentation, worked according to a “monographic principle” (one card, one idea): the idea was to atomize books into conceptual units

Niklas Luhmann, a very prolific German sociologist, used a Zettelkasten (card box)

Andy Matuschak has written about “evergreen notes”

if you read Gordon Brander, well, “all you need is links”:

I chose these examples because the authors have all produced remarkable conceptual work, with great inventiveness and impressive productivity. I belive this is due in particular to their methodical conception of note-taking, which they treat as long-term personal documentation. And the hyperlink is the star of the show.

There’s no point in putting links everywhere if you don’t have backlinks, contextualization, or even the ability to categorize links. And a graph becomes really useful when it leverages all this: when it visually translates categories with different colors and strokes; when you can filter its display by these same categories; etc.

The shape of graphs to come

Last night Hendrik Erz announced the imminent addition of a graph view in Zettlr.

Later, Erz clarified his position, confirming my interpretation: he called the graph a “nice toy” but inferior to note-taking techniques and full-text search.

But there’s another side. I’m thinking of these screenshots of extraordinarily massive graphs, proudly shared on Twitter by people who boast about the enormity of their Obsidian vaults

If these images tell us anything, it’s the fascination attached to networks. It’s a meme, and it doesn’t help anyone think seriously about the graph view; it just propagates a cliché

Because it’s superficial, it gets tiresome, and I’m a little worried that people like Hendrik Erz, who could do phenomenal things with graphs, may not give them the attention they deserve...