The Limitations of Note-Taking Apps in Enhancing our Intelligence (13 words)

The article discusses the limitations of productivity platforms, particularly in relation to note-taking apps, and the potential impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on these tools. The author reflects on the overwhelming amount of data and information that both farmers and journalists have to manage, highlighting the need for effective tools to analyze and make sense of this data. The author initially found promise in note-taking apps like Roam Research, which offered features such as bidirectional linking. However, the author’s enthusiasm waned as they found themselves unable to fully leverage these tools to improve their thinking process. The article ultimately suggests that productivity tools are hindered by the constant distractions of the internet and the illusion of multitasking, which impede our ability to focus and build knowledge.

In terms of expanding the summary to three paragraphs, an additional paragraph could delve into the effects of constant distractions and multitasking on productivity. The author references a professor of information science, Gloria Mark, who found that people spend an average of just 2.5 minutes on a single screen and often switch tasks frequently. This continuous switching between tasks and screens hampers our ability to focus and retain information, essentially acting as an “acid bath for human cognition.” Multitasking is debunked as a myth, with research suggesting that humans can truly focus on only one task at a time. The author even admits to their own inability to stay focused on one screen for more than 47 seconds. This context helps to further highlight the challenges faced by productivity platforms and the need to overcome the distractions of the internet.

The final paragraph could explore the concerns raised by the article about the potential impact of AI on productivity. The author cites Ezra Klein, who argues that while AI may promise to enhance productivity, it could also introduce even more distractions and paralyze us. The fear is that as AI generates new forms of entertainment and distractions, our ability to stay focused and extract meaningful insights from tools like note-taking apps may diminish further. The author, who relies on their database of links in Notion for productivity, expresses a hope that AI can ultimately improve their productivity. However, they acknowledge that AI’s potential to overload us with distractions must be carefully managed to ensure that it genuinely enhances productivity rather than hinder it.

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