Most knowledge management systems solve the same problem: how to "find what you need when you need it." But there are two distinct philosophies:
- Top-down: establish a classification system first, then fill it with content. The advantage is clear structure; the disadvantage is the dilemma of where to put information that doesn't fit any existing category.
- Bottom-up: record everything without discrimination first, then let relationships emerge naturally through links. The advantage is no classification pressure.
Obsidian's core insight
Obsidian's core isn't "notes"—it's "relationships." A note's value isn't in itself, but in the number of connections it has with other notes.
The value of knowledge lies in connections, not storage. If you're only storing information, you're building a warehouse. If you're building connections, you're building a network.