# On the Wonders and Joy of the Thesaurus (in Obsidian) ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qoY_TDS_DXs/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Orwell Intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=0s) - Words have the power to unlock new worlds and dimensions of thought. [(00:00:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=3s) - In George Orwell's novel *1984*, the government limits self-expression by reducing word choice. [(00:00:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=11s) - Limiting vocabulary makes individuals more susceptible to manipulation. [(00:00:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=52s) ## Quick backstory [(00:01:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=69s) - A video about the book *Roget's Thesaurus* was published. [(00:01:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=70s) - The specific edition discussed was published in 1852 and is the 21st century's third edition. [(00:01:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=78s) - Following the video's release, life events took precedence. [(00:01:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=88s) ## The email from Denis [(00:01:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=90s) - Dennis sent an email containing a digital third edition thesaurus with a concept index. [(00:01:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=101s) - The digital thesaurus contains 14,000 notes with definitions and a total of 44,000 words. [(00:01:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=117s) - These combine to create 420,000 links connecting various words and definitions. [(00:02:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=125s) ## How do we use this thing? [(00:02:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=167s) - The word list in the thesaurus is extensive, containing a vast number of words, contributing to its size of 14,000 words. [(00:02:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=179s) - When using the thesaurus, it can be overwhelming to decide where to begin exploring due to the sheer volume of words. [(00:03:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=199s) - An example of navigating the thesaurus involves randomly selecting the word "astonish" from a list of words including "aspirant," "aspirations," "a sale," "assassin," "assistant," and "associate." [(00:03:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=216s) ## What’s nice about the digital thesaurus in Obsidian Publish [(00:03:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=219s) - A digital thesaurus allows users to hover over words and instantly view their definitions. [(00:03:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=226s) - The example word "astonish" is a verb that means "surprise", and some synonyms for it are amaze, astound, bewilder, floor, overwhelm, throw a curve, and stupefy. [(00:03:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=236s) - The words in this thesaurus are related in a "cool" way, similar to the organization of a physical thesaurus created by [[Barbara Ann Kipfer | Barbara Ann Kipfer.]] [(00:04:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=257s) ## Example 1: Word List [(00:04:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=268s) - The word "surprise" is categorized under a broader concept called "actions of a cognitive nature". [(00:04:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=279s) - Exploring synonyms for "surprise" reveals conceptually similar words like "bedazzle", "bewilder", and "overwhelm", which can spark creativity. [(00:05:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=300s) - While "astound" and "alarm" are not direct synonyms, they share a common element of "surprise", demonstrating the interconnectedness of words within this conceptual framework. [(00:05:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=327s) ## One way to use the digital thesaurus in Obsidian Publish [(00:05:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=344s) - One way to use a digital thesaurus is to start with a word and explore related words and concepts, moving laterally among synonyms or up a level to broader categories. [(00:05:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=344s) - For example, starting with the word "flashback," you could explore synonyms like "hallucination," "memory," and "nostalgia," or broader categories like "remember" and "cognitive." [(00:06:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=384s) - The thesaurus can also reveal the number of related words or concepts within a category, such as 42 for "surprise" and 40 for "remember" within the category "actions cognitive." [(00:06:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=413s) ## Why Thesaurus? Shakespeare… [(00:07:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=433s) - A thesaurus can help writers overcome the difficulty of finding the right words to express themselves. [(00:07:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=438s) - The [[English language]] has an extensive vocabulary, potentially reaching up to 44,000 words, similar to the vocabulary used by [[William Shakespeare | Shakespeare]]. [(00:07:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=455s) - Expanding one's vocabulary can enhance writing by enabling more descriptive, original, and insightful expression, even if it doesn't reach Shakespearean levels. [(00:08:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=483s) ## More benefits [(00:08:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=490s) - A large vocabulary can lead to enhanced thinking skills, including analytical, creative, and connective thinking. [(00:08:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=492s) - A strong vocabulary allows for the examination of details, identification of similarities, and recognition of subtle differences and definitions. [(00:08:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=502s) - While a large vocabulary can improve thinking, it doesn't necessitate using complex words in all communication. [(00:08:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=513s) ## Example 2: Categories List [(00:08:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=523s) - The categories list organizes words into groups based on their meaning, going beyond simple synonyms. [(00:09:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=555s) - The categories list is extensive, encompassing various domains such as actions, causes, fields of human activity, life forms, objects, qualities, senses, and geography. [(00:09:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=566s) - The categories list can be used to find more specific and nuanced words to describe experiences and thoughts. [(00:12:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=774s) ## A surprise thought about Grandma [(00:14:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=870s) - A wish is expressed to share the experience with a grandmother who enjoyed words. [(00:14:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=872s) - It is proposed that the experience would involve exploring words together and would likely lead to storytelling. [(00:14:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=881s) - The speaker acknowledges the hypothetical situation and expresses that it would have been enjoyable. [(00:14:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=895s) ## Gift [(00:15:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=902s) - Dennis created a resource that is not available for download. [(00:15:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=909s) - A free public version of the resource is available on Obsidian Publish. [(00:15:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=915s) - A link to the resource is in the video description. [(00:15:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=922s) ## Takeaways [(00:15:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=927s) - Linked-based thinking is a powerful tool, as demonstrated by the digital thesaurus. [(00:15:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=933s) - Expanding one's vocabulary can lead to improved thinking. [(00:15:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=940s) - A wide vocabulary can help protect individuals from manipulation tactics that evoke negative emotions. [(00:15:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=957s) - Expanding vocabulary can lead to more fulfilling interactions with others and oneself. [(00:16:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=972s) ## Two ways to use the Thesaurus [(00:16:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=975s) - There are two ways to use a thesaurus: going on a word excursion by opening the word list and scrolling, or using the concept index by opening the categories note and scrolling. [(00:16:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=975s) - The common theme between the two ways of using the thesaurus is exploration and discovery, similar to the quote by J.R.R. [[J. R. R. Tolkien | Tolkien]], "Not all those who wander are lost." [(00:16:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=990s) - Viewers are encouraged to like the video, subscribe to the channel for more content, and leave any questions in the [[Comments section | comments section]]. [(00:16:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoY_TDS_DXs&t=1001s)