# How I Organize My Obsidian Vault 📥 Tags, Topics & Maps of Content  ## Intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=0s) - The video is hosted by Callum, also known as Water Louts, and it covers the topic of organizing an [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] vault using tags, topics, and maps of content [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=0s). - The video aims to address the common confusion people have when structuring their Obsidian vaults, which is understandable given the customizable nature of Obsidian [(00:00:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=9s). - Obsidian's customizability allows users to create a truly [[Personal knowledge management | personal Knowledge Management]] System [(00:00:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=18s). - One of the main confusions people have when using Obsidian is how to use tags versus topics, which will be addressed in the video [(00:00:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=22s). - The video will cover what tags and topics are, as well as their pros and cons in different scenarios [(00:00:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=29s). - The video will follow a structured outline, starting with an overview of tags [(00:00:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=33s). ## Today's Outline [(00:00:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=34s) - The main topics to be covered include setting up tags, the three main types, setting up topic notes, and leveling up topic notes with maps of content [(00:00:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=35s). - The discussion will also cover the key characteristics of tags versus topic notes, as well as tips and best practices for using them [(00:00:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=42s). - Personal tips and best practices on using tags versus topics will be shared at the end of the video, once the pros and cons of each have been explained [(00:00:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=47s). - The goal is to provide a better understanding of the pros and cons of tags versus topics, enabling informed decision-making [(00:00:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=54s). ## Structure (Tags) vs Emergence (Topics) [(00:00:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=57s) - Structure and emergence are two concepts that help in understanding the use cases of tags and topics in organizing notes, with structure referring to a predetermined system and emergence referring to a pattern that grows over time [(00:00:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=58s). - Tags enable structure by providing a predetermined system for organizing notes, similar to a filing cabinet, which removes the decision process of organizing notes [(00:01:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=70s). - Topics enable emergence, allowing a structure to emerge and grow over time without predetermination, similar to a tree trunk with branches and leaves that form clusters over time [(00:01:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=89s). - A hybrid system that uses both tags and topics is considered the best approach, allowing for the structure of tags to remove decision fatigue and the emergence of topics to provide serendipitous insights [(00:01:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=112s). - The hybrid system allows for a balance between structure and emergence, enabling users to follow their intuition and connect to their notes naturally without overthinking or decision fatigue [(00:02:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=125s). - [[Personal knowledge management | Personal Knowledge Management]] is unique to each individual, and what works for one person may not work for another, so it's essential to establish a system that works best for each person [(00:02:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=150s). - The goal of a hybrid system is to allow users to generate ideas, find insights, and follow trains of thoughts to new areas in their second brain without overthinking or decision fatigue [(00:02:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=166s). ## Overview of Tags v Topics [(00:02:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=175s) - The goal of using tags and topics in an [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] Vault is to introduce both structure and emergent organization systems, allowing for a balance between predetermined and organic organization methods [(00:03:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=196s). - There are two main approaches to organizing a system: top-down and bottom-up, with the top-down approach involving predetermined organization and the bottom-up approach being more emergent and built as you go [(00:03:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=206s). - A top-down approach involves creating a list of tags upfront and assigning them to notes as they are created, while a bottom-up approach allows the structure to emerge organically without predetermined organization [(00:03:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=218s). - Tags can be categorized into three main types: main note type, status type, and inline note type, each serving a different purpose in the organization system [(00:04:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=240s). ## Key Differences & Goals [(00:04:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=246s) - The main difference between a tag and a topic is whether the note is a source, such as a book, or something that involves the content of the notes itself, like psychology or neuroscience, with topics being used for the latter [(00:04:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=246s). - Topic notes are "about" notes that make connections between notes rather than classify them into categories like tags, and they can contain information and link to other related notes [(00:04:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=273s). - Tags operate as folders, pulling up a list of notes with the same tag when clicked, whereas topic notes can be clicked into and contain written contents, ideas, and subtopics [(00:05:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=303s). - Topic notes can also be used to indicate backlinks of related notes that mention the same topic, creating an emerging structure with patterns that naturally appear over time [(00:06:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=384s). - Using topic notes allows for the formation of an emergent structure where patterns and clusters can be identified, making it easier to write notes and follow the flow of ideas without overthinking the structure [(00:07:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=421s). - The goal is to establish rules for using tags versus topics to avoid overthinking the structure and make it easier to write notes and follow ideas [(00:07:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=436s). - Tags are used for classifying notes into categories, such as sources or books, whereas topic notes are used for creating connections between notes and containing information related to a specific topic [(00:04:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=281s). - A top-down approach for tags involves having a predefined list of tags to use in the system, which helps categorize notes and establish a predetermined structure [(00:07:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=462s). - In contrast, a bottom-up approach is used for topics, where new or existing topics can be used based on what has already been included, allowing for building on existing information [(00:08:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=482s). - There is no one-size-fits-all solution for using tags versus topics, and it's up to each person to establish a system that works for them, with the goal of establishing a system of consistency [(00:08:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=491s). - The system should allow for stopping worries about organization and starting to think about the next idea, with the goal of generating an emergent organization system [(00:08:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=503s). - Tags help file notes in a way that makes them easily searchable, while topics allow for connecting notes in a more intuitive way, enabling an emerging structure to develop over time [(00:08:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=538s). - Topics can eventually be expanded into maps of content, which allow for further improvement on the semantic structure of the second brain [(00:09:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=551s). - The process of setting up tags, topics, and maps of content is unique to each person, and the system is constantly changing, but the goal remains the same [(00:08:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=514s). ## Setting Up Tags: 3 Main Types [(00:09:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=563s) - A tag can be created by typing a hashtag followed by a word or series of words, which then generates a list of files containing that tag, effectively functioning as a folder [(00:09:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=563s). - Both tags and folders can be used in a personal system, with some people preferring one over the other, and it's possible to use a plugin like Auto note mover to automatically move notes to different folders based on the tag used [(00:09:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=582s). - The Auto note mover plugin uses a system of hashtags to automatically organize notes, and this process is discussed in more detail in a separate video on automatically organizing an [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] Vault using inboxes and indexes [(00:10:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=609s). - Tags can also be used by including a property, such as the default "Tags" property, in the [[YAML]] front matter of a note to keep track of metadata [(00:10:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=634s). - Adding a tag to the YAML front matter can automatically move a note to a specific folder, such as moving a note from the "sources" folder to the "books" folder when the "book" tag is added [(00:10:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=635s). ## Tag Type 1 [(00:10:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=654s) - The first type of tag used is kept in the front matter in the tag section, which includes main note type tags [(00:10:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=655s). - These tags can be added as properties to new notes, such as adding a "tags" property and assigning it a value like "# book" [(00:11:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=669s). - Adding the "# book" tag automatically moves the note into the "books" folder [(00:11:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=672s). - Clicking on the "book" tag displays a list of all notes containing the "# book" hashtag in the side panel [(00:11:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=677s). - This method provides an easy way to search for notes using tags, allowing users to find notes containing specific hashtags like "# book" [(00:11:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=683s). ## Tag Type 2 [(00:11:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=690s) - Tags can be used to indicate the status of a note, in addition to the main category or note type, allowing for further organization and filtering [(00:11:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=691s). - A tag such as "#unread" can be added to a note to signify its unread status, and later changed to "#read" once the book has been finished [(00:11:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=697s). - Using tags in this way enables easy tracking and filtering of notes based on their status, such as finding all unread or read books [(00:11:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=704s). ## Tag Type 3 [(00:11:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=718s) - The third way to use tags is referred to as inline note types, which can be seen in a daily note, specifically in a section called "ideas for Solutions" [(00:11:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=718s). - In this section, new ideas are written with a hash symbol followed by "idea" and the idea itself, allowing for easy tagging and referencing [(00:12:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=731s). - Clicking on the "idea" tag pulls up a list of all different ideas, and clicking on a specific note takes the user to the section where the idea was written [(00:12:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=738s). - The benefit of using inline tags is the ability to jump to all sources listed and to specific sections where the idea was written, not just the note itself [(00:12:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=748s). ## Searching & Common Tags [(00:12:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=755s) - Using tags in a Knowledge Management System allows for easy navigation to specific sections within a note related to the tag being used, making it a convenient way to organize and classify notes without having to think about the organization or classification process [(00:12:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=755s). - The goal of using tags is to create a structured system with a predetermined list of tags that can be used regularly, eliminating the need to think about categorization or organization [(00:12:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=765s). - Tags can be used to identify the type of note, such as a book, source, or video, making it easy to quickly organize notes by giving them relevant tags [(00:13:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=796s). - Commonly used tags include "daily note," "Source," "idea," "digital Garden," "atoms," "molecules," "[[Alloy | Alloys]]," and tags to indicate authors, such as "#author" [(00:13:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=816s). - Tags can also be used to organize a digital Garden, with examples including "#creativity/knowledge work," which is an example of a nested tag [(00:14:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=866s). - Nested tags use a slash to separate categories, allowing for more specific organization and classification of notes [(00:14:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=870s). - The use of tags enables quick organization of notes, allowing for efficient continuation of note-taking and introduction of topics [(00:13:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=809s). ## Nested Tags [(00:14:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=879s) - Nested tags can be created by adding a slash between two tags, such as "book/fiction", which would categorize all notes with this tag under the main "book" category and the subcategory "fiction" [(00:14:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=884s). - This method allows for the creation of subcategories within a main category, but it's not a commonly used approach by the user, who instead prefers to use tags as a classification system [(00:15:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=901s). - An alternative approach is to use a main category and a subcategory to indicate the status of an item, such as "book/red" or "book/unread", which can be changed as needed [(00:15:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=912s). - Nested tags can be used to organize notes in different ways, and plugins like DataView can be used to query or pull specific information from the Vault [(00:15:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=942s). - DataView can be used to create custom queries, such as pulling all notes related to a specific tag, like "#creativity knowledge work", and creating a list of related notes [(00:15:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=959s). - DataView is a useful tool for introducing indexes and inboxes, which can be used to organize and manage notes in the Vault [(00:16:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=971s). ## Tag Summary [(00:16:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=979s) - Tags can be used to structure and organize a system in a predetermined way, allowing for a top-down approach to organizing notes within a second brain [(00:16:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=981s). - This method involves creating a predetermined structure for notes, similar to a filing cabinet with different folders for each type of note, and using tags to categorize each note [(00:16:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=992s). - The use of tags enables easy searching and location of specific notes, similar to searching for resources in a library organized by type, such as books, magazines, or videos [(00:16:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=998s). - Topic notes can be used in conjunction with tags to further organize and structure a system [(00:16:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1010s). ## Setting Up Topics [(00:16:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1013s) - Topic notes are created by assigning a "topic" tag to a note, which moves it into a designated topic folder in the vault [(00:17:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1021s). - Unlike tags, topic notes are actual notes that can be written in and used to provide more information about a specific topic [(00:17:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1031s). - Topic notes can be used to link to other notes, including subtopics, by creating new notes or using ghost notes, which are notes that haven't been created yet [(00:17:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1049s). - Ghost notes can be used to start organizing and linking related notes together without having to create the actual note [(00:17:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1067s). - Topic notes can be used to connect and organize notes that are related to one another, and backlinks can be used to show all the notes that contain a specific topic [(00:17:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1079s). - The backlinks feature can be used to pull up specific notes that all relate to a particular topic, making it easier to access and organize related information [(00:18:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1085s). ## Topics = Connections [(00:18:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1093s) - Topics are used to make connections between notes based on their relationships, rather than categorizing them into a specific bucket or folder structure [(00:18:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1093s). - By using topics, new clusters of related notes can emerge, showing connections between different categories and topics [(00:18:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1109s). - Overlapping topics can reveal interesting relationships between notes, such as the connection between AI and psychology [(00:18:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1126s). - Making connections between notes using topics can lead to emergent behavior, allowing users to notice clusters of information and gain insights into the relationships between their notes [(00:19:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1141s). - This can spark new ideas and "aha" moments, such as understanding how one topic relates to another, like AI and psychology [(00:19:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1152s). - Visually examining the graph of connected notes can help identify specific relationships between topics, such as how AI relates to psychology through a particular note [(00:19:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1161s). - By making connections between notes, users can facilitate emergent behavior and follow trains of thought across different disciplines [(00:19:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1177s). - Topic notes are preferred over tags for concepts and substantive note content, rather than the type of note or information being pulled in [(00:19:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1184s). - Multiple topics can be included in a single note using the [[YAML | yaml]] front matter, allowing users to see how different concepts relate to one another [(00:20:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1229s). - Examples of topics include flow, [[Epistemology | epistemology]] (the study of knowledge), and locations like [[Canada]] [(00:20:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1239s). ## Summary of Topics [(00:20:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1249s) - Topics allow for an emergent structure and semantic organization within a second brain, using specific topic notes to identify pockets of insight and bridge concepts across different mediums [(00:20:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1250s). - This structure enables seamless movement between different types of notes, such as books, videos, magazines, and podcasts [(00:21:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1268s). - Topics facilitate following intuition between different types of notes, allowing for connections to be made across various mediums [(00:21:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1272s). - There are similarities between tags and topics, as both can be used in most situations to link notes [(00:21:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1277s). - Tags can be used for types of notes, while topic notes can be used for about notes and can contain information, making them more versatile [(00:21:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1290s). - Topic notes can be leveled up into a map of content, providing a more comprehensive organization system [(00:21:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1298s). ## Maps of Content (MoC) [(00:21:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1299s) - Maps of Content (MoC) are used to organize and structure topics, making it easier to surface insights and save time and energy when working through a second brain [(00:21:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1300s). - A topic note can become crowded over time, and creating a Map of Content helps to break down the topic into subtopics and keep track of them [(00:21:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1317s). - Maps of Content are created by taking a note, such as a topic note, and converting it into a map, allowing for the organization of related subtopics and concepts [(00:22:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1321s). - Notes with an "about" property are used to create Maps of Content, as they are related to the substantive content of the note rather than its type [(00:22:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1331s). - Using a topic instead of a tag allows for writing and expanding on thoughts related to the topic over time, making it easier to organize and create subtopics [(00:22:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1356s). - Maps of Content help to create subtopics and keep track of them over time, making it easier to navigate and find related information [(00:22:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1349s). - Subtopics can be organized into subcategories, creating a hierarchical structure within the Map of Content [(00:23:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1388s). - Each subtopic creates a "jumping off point" for further research or exploration, making it easier to continue working on a topic [(00:23:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1410s). - Using a Map of Content provides a more effective way to start research or a project, compared to using a simple tag, as it provides a clear starting point and organization of related information [(00:23:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1428s). ## New Topic Example [(00:23:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1435s) - A new topic example is created by writing about emergent AI behavior, which is added as a file property with the tag "topic" and moved to the topic folder, updating the graph [(00:23:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1435s). - The topic of emergent AI behavior is of interest due to its potential value, as it is hard to predict but provides significant value when it happens, and the goal is to facilitate its occurrence [(00:24:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1463s). - The AI note is linked to the emergent behavior topic, which in turn is connected to The Hinton lectures, a lecture series that discussed emerging AI behavior [(00:24:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1474s). - The connection between the Hinton lectures, emergent behavior, and artificial intelligence is established, allowing for the exploration of ideas and the expansion of thoughts [(00:24:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1484s). - The train of thought is followed through the second brain, creating a map of content that enables the generation of ideas and the expansion of existing ones [(00:24:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1493s). - The map of content can be thought of as a leveled-up version of a map of content, allowing for a deeper exploration of ideas and connections [(00:25:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1502s). ## MoC = Levelled Up Topic [(00:25:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1503s) - A topic note serves as a central location to organize topics and subtopics, providing a jumping-off point for research and a way to revisit past interests [(00:25:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1506s). - Topic notes can be thought of as an index or table of contents for a particular topic, containing definitions, subtopics, and references to specific sources [(00:25:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1522s). - Subtopics within a topic note can point to specific concepts, such as "[[Personal knowledge management | Personal Knowledge Management]]" within the topic of "[[Epistemology]]", which includes concepts like "Second Brain" and "Smart Note Taking" [(00:25:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1534s). - Topic notes can also link to other relevant notes, such as a public "Personal Knowledge Management System" for expressing knowledge through digital gardens [(00:25:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1552s). - Maps of content emerge over time as topics and subtopics are created and linked, and it's best not to try to create them from scratch [(00:26:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1575s). - As a topic note grows, it can be given a "Map of Content" tag, allowing for easy retrieval of all topics that have been converted into maps of content [(00:26:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1603s). - Using topics to sort information, rather than tags, enables the addition of more information to notes and facilitates pattern recognition in large graphs [(00:26:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1617s). - In large second brains with thousands of notes, maps of content become essential for noticing patterns and connections between notes over time [(00:27:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1631s). ## Visualizations With Graph View [(00:27:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1641s) - Graph view can be limited to a specific topic by searching for it, allowing users to find all related notes, such as searching for "AI" to find all notes related to AI [(00:27:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1643s). - Tags can be used to indicate how files are organized and related to one another, and can be viewed in the graph view as green tags, such as the "daily note" tag [(00:27:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1651s). - The graph view can also be used to visualize how tags relate to other notes, similar to searching for a tag on the side, but this view is not very helpful aside from showing a visual representation of thoughts and ideas [(00:27:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1674s). - The local view is more powerful and can be augmented by using topics, allowing users to finesse their massive knowledge graph into specific topics related to their current research [(00:28:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1688s). - Topics can be used to create a map of content, introducing a hierarchy of topics and subtopics, and providing entry points into the second brain based on frequently walked paths [(00:28:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1716s). - Topic notes can contain information, unlike tags, making them more valuable for organizing concepts, and can be leveled up into a map of content [(00:28:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1711s). ## Key Characteristics: Tags vs Topic Notes [(00:28:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1731s) - The characteristics of tags and topic notes are important to understand in order to effectively organize a digital mind or second brain, with the biggest difference being the structure: tags have a predetermined structure, while topic notes have an emergent nature that develops over time as new information is added [(00:28:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1738s). - With tags, the structure is predetermined by selecting specific tags, such as #Source, #Book, or #Country, which can be thought of as a folder where notes are sorted into specific categories [(00:29:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1750s). - Topic notes, on the other hand, are created as new information is added, and are used to bridge between different types of notes, such as books, videos, or articles, to create a cluster of information around a specific concept [(00:29:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1771s). - The organization of tags is like a filing cabinet, where notes are sorted into specific categories, while topic notes are more flexible and allow for overlap between different types of notes [(00:29:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1784s). - When deciding whether to use a tag or a topic note, it's helpful to ask if the note is a type of something, a status, or a folder type structure, in which case a tag is likely more suitable, or if it's about a concept, in which case a topic note is more suitable [(00:31:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1873s). - Topic notes can be used to create a map of content, which can be used as an index to organize and navigate information, and can be converted into a map of content later on [(00:31:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1896s). - The locating method is also important, with tags being used for searching and finding specific types of notes, such as all books, while topic notes are used to create a cluster of information around a specific concept [(00:31:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1911s). - The goal is to create connections between notes by bridging different mediums, such as books, videos, articles, and podcasts, and relating them together through backlinks and topic nodes [(00:32:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1923s). - Tags are considered less versatile and more rigid, as they are predetermined and don't allow for emergent structure, whereas topics are more flexible and can create subtopics and maps of content [(00:32:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1937s). - Tags help remove thinking by providing a predetermined system for classifying notes, but this rigidity also opens up flexibility for topic notes [(00:32:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1966s). - Topic notes can contain information and turn into maps of content, making them suitable for adding information in the long run, whereas tags cannot contain information in themselves [(00:33:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=1992s). - It's possible to use both tags and topic notes, and having both can be beneficial, such as creating an index that shows all the books in the vault based on the tag #book [(00:33:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2007s). - A data view table can be created in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] to pull in everything that has a specific tag, such as #book, and display it in a note related to the topic of books and articles [(00:33:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2021s). - There is no right or wrong way to organize the system, and what matters is that it works for the individual, making it [[Personal knowledge management | personal knowledge management]] [(00:34:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2047s). - It's recommended to follow intuition and experiment with different methods, such as a hybrid connection between tags and topics, to build a system that establishes the ability to follow one's own intuition in the future [(00:34:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2065s). ## One More Example [(00:34:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2074s) - A new example is created to demonstrate the organization of notes, using the topic of [[Canada]] and a video project with Taylor about travel videos in Canada [(00:34:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2074s). - Instead of just using the hashtag #Canada, subcategories and subtopics related to Canada are created to structure and map the content [(00:34:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2096s). - This approach is compared to using a hashtag like #USA, which would not be as helpful in organizing notes about specific states like [[Hawaii]] or [[California]] [(00:35:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2112s). - A tag for "country" is introduced to sort notes related to specific countries, and subtopics or subnotes are added to the main topic note [(00:35:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2142s). - The example is contrasted with the Neuroscience example, where "neuroscience" is used as a topic note and concept, rather than a hashtag [(00:36:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2171s). - The use of tags and topics is flexible, and there is no one "right" way to do it - the best approach is the one that makes sense to the individual [(00:36:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2206s). - The speaker's approach is to use a rigid structure upfront, with a clear rule established for using tags and topic notes, to avoid overthinking the structure [(00:37:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2230s). - A balance is struck between rigidity and flexibility by combining a top-down approach with an emerging structure of topic notes that appear as needed [(00:37:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2255s). - This approach allows for effortless use of the system, with a mix of structure and flexibility [(00:37:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2268s). ## My Tips & Best Practices [(00:38:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2280s) - To organize an [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] Vault effectively, it's essential to keep things simple and avoid over-organizing, which can lead to decision fatigue and analysis paralysis [(00:38:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2285s). - A simple decision tree can be created to decide when to use tags and when to use topics, such as using tags for note types like books, videos, or sources, and topics for notes about specific subjects like psychology or [[Personal knowledge management | personal knowledge management]] [(00:38:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2310s). - Experimenting with the Vault and recalibrating the system as needed can help introduce more complexity and solve problems as they arise, and maps of content can be used to organize topics and provide an entry point into the digital garden or second brain [(00:38:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2336s). - Introducing changes to the system gradually, rather than trying to change the entire system at once, can save time and energy and allow the system to emerge and grow over time [(00:39:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2365s). - Leveraging visuals, such as Obsidian's graph view feature, can help identify clusters and emerging insights in the second brain and provide a powerful tool for note-taking and knowledge management [(00:39:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2389s). - Having fun and being able to generate emerging insights over time is the ultimate goal of using a second brain like Obsidian, and actively taking smart notes and making connections with topic notes can lead to an exponential increase in value [(00:40:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2408s). ## Automatic Organization of Obsidian [(00:41:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2476s) - There are other videos available that might be of interest, covering topics such as automatic inboxes and indexes in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], which can be used to generate automatic organization and augment the use of tags [(00:41:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2476s). - A video is available that provides an in-depth look at automatic inboxes and indexes in Obsidian, offering a more detailed exploration of these features [(00:41:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2479s). - A comprehensive video tutorial is available that covers all the major features of Obsidian, which has been well-received by viewers as one of the best Obsidian tutorials [(00:41:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2491s). - The tutorial video is recommended for those who want to learn more about the features and capabilities of Obsidian [(00:41:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2500s). ## AI + Obsidian [(00:41:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2504s) - A system called notebook LM by Google's AI allows users to work seamlessly with their [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] notes, adding an AI element to their [[Personal knowledge management | personal Knowledge Management]] System [(00:41:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2505s). - This integration augments the user's personal Knowledge Management System, enhancing its capabilities [(00:41:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2513s). - [[Google]] found their own AI system helpful, which is a notable endorsement of its utility [(00:41:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2517s). ## Next: Molecular Zettelkasten in Obsidian [(00:41:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2519s) - A future video will cover the topic of [[Zettelkasten | Molecular Zettelkasten]], a notetaking system that some people find confusing, and will provide a walkthrough of the entire process of using this system in Obsidian [(00:42:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2520s). - The video will focus on how to take notes using the Zettelkasten system inside [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] [(00:42:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2530s). - Viewers interested in learning more about Molecular Zettelkasten are encouraged to subscribe to be notified when the video is released [(00:42:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZxYau21D20&t=2533s).