On note taking apps and AI
So right now we have both note taking apps and AI. When various note taking apps emerge, we even have a new idea of "the second brain" so that we can organize our life with systematic workflows and digital databases.
Some of us have already built our own database when we can google anything we want. With the introduction of AI, we are not only able to find the answers from AI, but the app can also save our conversations and information with titles automatically generated for looking back afterwards just in case.
I sometimes think, will we no longer need note taking apps?
The future of note taking apps
I don't think note taking apps will fall, because they have already evolved into other kinds of applications before AI, say Evernote integrating with time (reminders and calendars) and task management; Notion as an OS built by users. Even writing apps like iA Writer can do some content management by providing links to other notes. No apps are no longer either for note taking or writing. A kind of fusion.
A note taking app itself can include AI too, like Evernote, Notion, Craft and Apple Notes to help editing and organising.
Some notes like Bear stated that they won't add AI. It does make sense since note taking is a deliberate process of observing, thinking, sketching and/or writing.
Books like Building Your Second Brain available the bookstores imply there are certain numbers of users, even though they are not the majority of people, supporting note taking or "digital life organization" market. As most people just simply take a short note to avoid missing out while they can save various kinds of contents in a way they find easy, for instance, places to-go on Google Maps, books to read later on Kindle, and friends meeting information on WhatsApp.
People usually feel a lot when AI is coming, especially when talking about it on the internet, but when they leave the conversation, they still google, save information on their basic notes app (Apple Notes or Google Keep) and bookmark places on Google Maps, while in some cases they may find ChatGPT useful, and thus some information can be found on AI apps too!
Instead of opening a spreadsheet to schedule our upcoming trip, we can choose to ask AI to arrange for us. For sure during the trip we can be opening ChatGPT rather than Google Maps or Microsoft Excel.
The power of writing
There is a recurring issue, though, because the information we gather has become a kind of clutter. Some of us will opt for saving less information, and even writing in my own words as a way to filter. It's because writing takes time and involves thinking, which is not convenient, so that if we really need those information, we will eventually write it down especially by giving some context which can bring motivation and passion to make us do.
We don't need to have masterpieces every time, and we don't need to be proficient in any language. We just have to talk to ourselves through writing, and we can write on the go on any paper (including napkins), and on our phone too. A few words at a time is fine, but you don't need to schedule a block of time in a very comfortable space dressing nicely make it a kind of ritual. Make writing as light as possible.
The issue related to convenient applications is that you will have to rely on them so that you will be more vulnerable when they are not available from battery running out, internet connection unavailable to the service being shut down if the company cannot sustain their business.
If you keep writing and even organize information and your thoughts, "upgrading your own content into new stages of your life, you are learning and upgrading yourself. Even when your data is unfortunately lost due to some technical issues or the app you are using becoming no longer available, at least you have some memories of what you learnt, and you are so skilled enough in handling new information and thoughts. You are only better and better and can't be vulnerable as before.
Apps are nice, especially when they let our involvement in doing and making something, we can become more satisfied in our life, and better by gaining some abilities. So don't bother if things are not convenient: you will find it increasingly good!
