Distributed Cognition

Notes

• It's a process of getting things out of your head and into objective, and reviewable format.

• It's an extended mind or a second brain.

• Few people can hold their focus on a topic for more than a couple of minutes only relying on their minds.

  • You need tools and some objective structure to help. For instance, if we have a pen and paper, then we can stay focused for hours.

• The mind works this way:

  1. It will give you some ideas as you feel you can effectively use them.
  2. If you're not collecting it in a trusted way, it won't give you more.
  3. If you're recording them, even for later evaluation, it'll give you more ideas.

• It helps you organize your thoughts.

  • Natural and complex connections may emerge.

References

• David Allen. Getting Things Done. Chapter 3