> Getting lost in your knowledge management system is a fantastic way to avoid creating things.
> All of the above applies to reading books about note-taking, taking courses about note-taking, and watching videos about note-taking.
> I am waiting for any evidence that our most provocative thinkers and writers are those who rely on elaborate, systematic note-taking systems. I am seeing evidence that people taught knowledge management for its own sake produce unexciting work.
It sounds like Mr. Chapin is referring to formalized techniques or processes for format and organization of notes. But he doesn't give any examples, and I'm not familiar with the ones he hints at - I've never watched any YouTube videos on note taking or read any books on organizing your thoughts.
When I was in college, I took detailed notes in paper notebooks, and still do so occasionally when I'm sitting in a lecture. Otherwise, I send narrative emails to myself, write more business-style notes in Microsoft OneNote, or doodle in a small memo pad. It's clear to me that this is not what he means by a "note-taking system," but what is?