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18 reviews for:
Antinet Zettelkasten: A Knowledge System That Will Turn You Into a Prolific Reader, Researcher and Writer
Scott Scheper
3.48 AVERAGE
18 reviews for:
Antinet Zettelkasten: A Knowledge System That Will Turn You Into a Prolific Reader, Researcher and Writer
Scott Scheper
3.48 AVERAGE
I'm going to be totally honest I didn't understand a word I read I don't know if I just need to be a higher level like somebody from Cambridge or something I don't know but I started watching his YouTube videos and now some of it's making sense
This book is a wild ride and needs to be looked at as a journey more so than a text of information.
It starts simple. You watch some stuff on the Zettelkasten, and realize that you want to read something on it. Because it is such a niche topic, the only mass market book I have found, was Ahrens' "How to Take Smart Notes". While that was certainly a great book, its focus is not strictly on the little details of the Zettelkasten - so you go on and look for another book. Now, you find Scheper, watch some videos and think "this guy certainly did his homework on that stuff", and you order the book.
First warning sign: The website states that this book is sold at cost, and this price includes worldwide international shipping. That should tell you that the book is this little carrot on a stick. Because the second you order, you are on Scheper's newsletter of DAILY (!) advertisements of his other services. Ranging from expensive courses to a physical newsletter of one letter a month for almost $100 a month. By the way, the advertised course I've gotten emails about was "Write to Freedom", a course teaching you how to make a five figure amount per month by selling to a highly dedicated small crowd of customers. The irony, right?
Since I'm an international gal to people like Scheper, getting my book of course took a tiny bit. And opening it provided me with yet another lovely little tidbit: The letter! And here I actually want to quote because it soured any chance this book had to add value to my life:
It starts simple. You watch some stuff on the Zettelkasten, and realize that you want to read something on it. Because it is such a niche topic, the only mass market book I have found, was Ahrens' "How to Take Smart Notes". While that was certainly a great book, its focus is not strictly on the little details of the Zettelkasten - so you go on and look for another book. Now, you find Scheper, watch some videos and think "this guy certainly did his homework on that stuff", and you order the book.
First warning sign: The website states that this book is sold at cost, and this price includes worldwide international shipping. That should tell you that the book is this little carrot on a stick. Because the second you order, you are on Scheper's newsletter of DAILY (!) advertisements of his other services. Ranging from expensive courses to a physical newsletter of one letter a month for almost $100 a month. By the way, the advertised course I've gotten emails about was "Write to Freedom", a course teaching you how to make a five figure amount per month by selling to a highly dedicated small crowd of customers. The irony, right?
Since I'm an international gal to people like Scheper, getting my book of course took a tiny bit. And opening it provided me with yet another lovely little tidbit: The letter! And here I actually want to quote because it soured any chance this book had to add value to my life:
Now...
Before you open the cover, I have one request...
After you've had enough time to read it, would you please share with me your favorite parts on Goodreads.com?
Simply visit Goodreads.com and search "Antinet Zettelkasten." Then, please give it a (great) review (if you think it's great!)
Unfortunately, until now, most of the people who have reviewed my book are digital notetaking junkies who hate [underlined] that I preach that analog is the way!
... is that so? If you're up to it, go to Goodreads and check it out. The book came out in December 2022, and already, in the same month, got reviews. I'll quote some:
[1/5 stars]
It feels like the author 'collected' a lot of notes from a lot of research and without prioritising or editing, dumped everything into a book.
-
[1/5 stars]
For those looking to learn how to create an analogue zettelkasten, this book contains useful ideas but is badly structured and badly written. It should not be considered the default option for learning how to create a zettelkasten, digital or analogue. It is full of theory, and internecine conflicts.
[...]
Obsession with Luhmann's original work as the only relevant example The book is troubled by an obsession with Luhmann, rather than with developing a system that works best. It has the chief effect of turning Sonke Ahrens into the figure of the devil, who leads the faithful astray. In these passages, we see Scheper as the figure of the inquisitor, routing out those heretics who have fallen from Luhmannian truth.
-
[5/5 stars]
I could see his use of his Antinet in is writing. Information was written in clusters of thought, using blocks of information that I’m assuming came from his note cards. The result was positive and interesting.
In general, this book has earned an average rating, with many negative reviews pointing out cultish behavior by Scheper and flawed writing and editing, and positive reviews pointing out having a better idea about digital vs. analog notetaking, the Zettelkasten and knowledge management. Does it feel necessary to ask potentially new customers to position themselves against these evil digital "junkies" who just hate on Jesus Scheper for "preaching that analog is the way?"
I'd say it rather sets a very disturbing image of his view of others committed to their craft, their learning or their writing. Are you with him in calling Luhmann's Zettelkasten an Antinet (which I find a very odd thing to do, as "Antinet" is the term Scheper uses to describe his form of doing Zettelkasten), or are you against him and following people like Ahrens who - I'd say - never intended to make people do things exactly as Luhmann did. Or as they did. Or any way that does not make sense to their readers.
But what is the fuss even about? Well, Scheper, former employee of a cryptocurrency company, struggled with things when said company fell flat. His way out was the Zettelkasten. Learning and notetaking became his new "thing". Which is very nice to see, until you read the smaller details, e.g.:
I'd say it rather sets a very disturbing image of his view of others committed to their craft, their learning or their writing. Are you with him in calling Luhmann's Zettelkasten an Antinet (which I find a very odd thing to do, as "Antinet" is the term Scheper uses to describe his form of doing Zettelkasten), or are you against him and following people like Ahrens who - I'd say - never intended to make people do things exactly as Luhmann did. Or as they did. Or any way that does not make sense to their readers.
But what is the fuss even about? Well, Scheper, former employee of a cryptocurrency company, struggled with things when said company fell flat. His way out was the Zettelkasten. Learning and notetaking became his new "thing". Which is very nice to see, until you read the smaller details, e.g.:
Yet what I really desired was to serve people worth serving. Sure, there were some excellent people I got to serve at the cryptocurrency company; but, let's face it, the vast majority of those involved were in it to make money without having to do anything. [p. 23]
This is a very one-dimensional way of looking at both crypto and people. For people, the question is: Are the only people allowed to partake in decentralization those who a) are able and willing to put in the effort that Scheper deems acceptable? Or b) those who are able and willing to pay someone else to do that for them?
This is certainly a point usually not worth addressing, but in this book, I was reminded of this little sentence later on when Scheper goes into the perceived "digital-washing" of the notetaking world in general, and the Zettelkasten online spaces in specific. See this for example:
This is certainly a point usually not worth addressing, but in this book, I was reminded of this little sentence later on when Scheper goes into the perceived "digital-washing" of the notetaking world in general, and the Zettelkasten online spaces in specific. See this for example:
Analog is harder than digital not only in terms of the effort it requires, but in other ways as well. With an analog system, you must buy a variety of materials. Blank notecards (1), boxes, containers, Wite-out [sic], pens, rulers, and others items (2). That's not too difficult, yet it does indeed require more space. (3)
Analog systems also result in quizzical regard from others who see you using such. They may question your sanity for investing so much time and energy into boxes of physical notecards. (4) If you aren't strong-minded, you may even end up questioning your own sanity! (5)
Here's the Truth: The Hard Way Is Better
One of the biggest myths about Zettelkasten centers around the tradeoff between ease vs. effort. Here's the truth: you must be prepared to do things the hard way if you wish to produce great work. (6) [p. 190]
This snippet strikes me out of a few reasons:
1. Why specifically blank? Isn't it your own choice whether you want blank, grid, lined or dotted cards? Apparently not.
2. That's a lot of stuff for something you might not want to do. Or maybe your note-flow does not require half of these things. Making up rules about how many things you need is really weird.
3. Especially because it does not just cost space (something you know to value more if you do not live alone or in a smaller apartment), but also money. It might not feel like a lot, but with a single box and pack of cards (let alone other things that feel valuable like index register cards from A to Z), in the economy from 2022 until today, it's something you might feel.
Maybe you also have other factors impacting your ability to use analog tools: Unreadable handwriting (I see you, fellow people on the spectrum!), chronic illnesses that make even sitting a challenge, disabilities that mean you might not even have your dominant hand anymore, or lost a lot of functionality in it, just to name a few.
4. Was this really still an issue in 2022? I mean, seriously, the notebook was brought back into fashion, Bullet Journaling is a thing, and we all knew at least one person in our classes who always had these fancy looking notecards, and tools like Anki show daily that flashcard-styled learning is highly valuable.
5. Maybe what we really need is better friends if one interest in learning and writing it down a specific way results in judgment that makes us doubt ourselves.
But it gets even weirder how specific Scheper is about materials required if you look at Luhmann's "Communcation with noteboxes" (dt. "Kommunikation mit Zettelkästen", Luhmann, 1981):
1. Why specifically blank? Isn't it your own choice whether you want blank, grid, lined or dotted cards? Apparently not.
2. That's a lot of stuff for something you might not want to do. Or maybe your note-flow does not require half of these things. Making up rules about how many things you need is really weird.
3. Especially because it does not just cost space (something you know to value more if you do not live alone or in a smaller apartment), but also money. It might not feel like a lot, but with a single box and pack of cards (let alone other things that feel valuable like index register cards from A to Z), in the economy from 2022 until today, it's something you might feel.
Maybe you also have other factors impacting your ability to use analog tools: Unreadable handwriting (I see you, fellow people on the spectrum!), chronic illnesses that make even sitting a challenge, disabilities that mean you might not even have your dominant hand anymore, or lost a lot of functionality in it, just to name a few.
4. Was this really still an issue in 2022? I mean, seriously, the notebook was brought back into fashion, Bullet Journaling is a thing, and we all knew at least one person in our classes who always had these fancy looking notecards, and tools like Anki show daily that flashcard-styled learning is highly valuable.
5. Maybe what we really need is better friends if one interest in learning and writing it down a specific way results in judgment that makes us doubt ourselves.
But it gets even weirder how specific Scheper is about materials required if you look at Luhmann's "Communcation with noteboxes" (dt. "Kommunikation mit Zettelkästen", Luhmann, 1981):
Zur technischen Ausstattung des Zettelkastens gehören hölzerne Kästen mit
nach vorne ausziehbaren Fächern und Zettel im Oktav-Format. [...] Um dem entgegenzuwirken, empfiehlt es sich, auf Karteikarten zu verzichten und Papier zu nehmen.
(The equipment of the Zettelkasten requires wooden boxes with drawers that can be opened to the front and notecards in octavo format. [...] To avoid this, it's best to use paper instead of index / flash cards.)
In other words, Luhmann recommended a box made out of wood in which your paper can fit, and just regular old paper to cram in as many notes as your box can carry - simple, practical, and economic. But even that seems like a secondary thought of Luhmann, given that the primary idea of a Zettelkasten seems to be that you have a way to create, store and use notes, with an emphasis on usage. By adopting a Zettelkasten structure, you are forced to see your accumulated knowledge again and again. The format? Who cares?
Well, Scheper does. He cares so much that he has written almost 600 pages about how much he cares about the evils of the digital crowd and the advantages of analog, not even shying away from namecalling (e.g. "Letter-Day Ahrensian Teachings", see for example p. 76).
And it has an effect on the Zettelkasten community. People can be weirdly judgmental about others who are not analog purists. Which is a cultish way to handle your own life, and ultimately self-defeating. Going through life with your nose up in the air does not necessarily hurt other people, but you'll be the one running against whatever is in your way.
In other words, Luhmann recommended a box made out of wood in which your paper can fit, and just regular old paper to cram in as many notes as your box can carry - simple, practical, and economic. But even that seems like a secondary thought of Luhmann, given that the primary idea of a Zettelkasten seems to be that you have a way to create, store and use notes, with an emphasis on usage. By adopting a Zettelkasten structure, you are forced to see your accumulated knowledge again and again. The format? Who cares?
Well, Scheper does. He cares so much that he has written almost 600 pages about how much he cares about the evils of the digital crowd and the advantages of analog, not even shying away from namecalling (e.g. "Letter-Day Ahrensian Teachings", see for example p. 76).
And it has an effect on the Zettelkasten community. People can be weirdly judgmental about others who are not analog purists. Which is a cultish way to handle your own life, and ultimately self-defeating. Going through life with your nose up in the air does not necessarily hurt other people, but you'll be the one running against whatever is in your way.
Dedicated to cards and pen
I disagree with the perspective taken by this author and find some of his justifications flawed. Still, I found value in reinterpretations many of his suggestions based on principles from cognitive science. The author suggests that dealing with challenges and contradictions can be useful and I agree.
I disagree with the perspective taken by this author and find some of his justifications flawed. Still, I found value in reinterpretations many of his suggestions based on principles from cognitive science. The author suggests that dealing with challenges and contradictions can be useful and I agree.
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
slow-paced
Like many other reviewers, I firmly believe that this book should have been half the length it was. It took me 3 weeks to read this book 'closely' and it's 3 weeks I am never getting back! Which is such a shame because it could have been so much more, if only the author had paid for a decent editor. He proudly announced on several occasions that he wrote this book using his Antinet cards and it shows. Short choppy paragraphs that reek of him organising his cards and regurgitating the material wholesale, rather than thinking about how he could make it flow and avoid repetition. And there is LOTS of repetition. By the end of the book I felt like I had been hit by a barrage of requests by an over enthusiastic toddler, wanting me to drink the Kool Aid from their very special sippy cup.
And he will want you to drink the Kool Aid, despite several assertions in the book that he did not write the book for the money, the minute you order that book if you aren't careful about ticking or not ticking the right boxes your inbox is inundated with spam trying to persuade you to sign up for various courses and programmes to further teach you the system. Eye wateringly expensive courses, I may add. If you make the same mistake I did, unsub the minute you get the book in your hands.
Furthermore, I found the grammar difficult, and at times I questioned the research. Despite him claiming proudly his non-academic status, he was obviously desperately trying to convey how much he knew in a pseudo-academic style. However, the minute he used Wikipedia as a source I started to lose respect. Rule 101 in writing, even non academic writing, don't cite Wikipedia. At times the author also contradicted themselves, fairly early on he stated that typing out notes was boring, yet later said that he found it fun!
His understanding of the history of early modern computing is more than a little skewed as well, claiming that Luhmann could have moved to using a computer system and yet chose not to despite home computers being available in the 80s. Affordable home computing that would have been capable of coming close to allowing Luhmann to digitise his work was not available until a good decade later. Luhmann was 70 years old when he died in 1998. There is no way that at a relatively advanced age, he would or even could have migrated his magnum opus to a digital system. Think how hard it is for older people to leave certain social media platforms these days. Ones that they have invested considerable time in; his Zettlekasten was his life, it is comparable. Scheper even mentions the 'sunk cost dilemma' in his book and yet somehow it never crossed his mind that a man in his 60s with a lifetime of work in boxes would have made a choice not to move just for that reason alone. It's far from a valid argument for why analog is better.
Finally, his treatment of other well known authors within this field left me with a really nasty taste in my mouth. It's just not done. He had a massive flea up his butt about Sönke Ahrens particularly (it almost felt like sour grapes). There was an entire section about the 'cult' of Ahrensianity and everything that is wrong with it, yet he had the arrogance to call his own take on the system the 'Sheperian' system in the latter half of the book. Hypocrisy rules apparently.
It actually galled me to give it the amount of stars that I did to be honest. But, if you are prepared to wade through the waffle and gumpf it does give a good explanation of a zettlekasten system, if Youtube doesn't do it for you (there are loads of good resources on there) then it might be worth it.
And he will want you to drink the Kool Aid, despite several assertions in the book that he did not write the book for the money, the minute you order that book if you aren't careful about ticking or not ticking the right boxes your inbox is inundated with spam trying to persuade you to sign up for various courses and programmes to further teach you the system. Eye wateringly expensive courses, I may add. If you make the same mistake I did, unsub the minute you get the book in your hands.
Furthermore, I found the grammar difficult, and at times I questioned the research. Despite him claiming proudly his non-academic status, he was obviously desperately trying to convey how much he knew in a pseudo-academic style. However, the minute he used Wikipedia as a source I started to lose respect. Rule 101 in writing, even non academic writing, don't cite Wikipedia. At times the author also contradicted themselves, fairly early on he stated that typing out notes was boring, yet later said that he found it fun!
His understanding of the history of early modern computing is more than a little skewed as well, claiming that Luhmann could have moved to using a computer system and yet chose not to despite home computers being available in the 80s. Affordable home computing that would have been capable of coming close to allowing Luhmann to digitise his work was not available until a good decade later. Luhmann was 70 years old when he died in 1998. There is no way that at a relatively advanced age, he would or even could have migrated his magnum opus to a digital system. Think how hard it is for older people to leave certain social media platforms these days. Ones that they have invested considerable time in; his Zettlekasten was his life, it is comparable. Scheper even mentions the 'sunk cost dilemma' in his book and yet somehow it never crossed his mind that a man in his 60s with a lifetime of work in boxes would have made a choice not to move just for that reason alone. It's far from a valid argument for why analog is better.
Finally, his treatment of other well known authors within this field left me with a really nasty taste in my mouth. It's just not done. He had a massive flea up his butt about Sönke Ahrens particularly (it almost felt like sour grapes). There was an entire section about the 'cult' of Ahrensianity and everything that is wrong with it, yet he had the arrogance to call his own take on the system the 'Sheperian' system in the latter half of the book. Hypocrisy rules apparently.
It actually galled me to give it the amount of stars that I did to be honest. But, if you are prepared to wade through the waffle and gumpf it does give a good explanation of a zettlekasten system, if Youtube doesn't do it for you (there are loads of good resources on there) then it might be worth it.
This book it's kind of hard to rate, on one hand I think it's one of the most practical books on Zettelkasten, on the other the book is just SO long, at least half the book could be removed and would be several times better... Alas, this is what it is. If you're curious try to get into Scott's content beforehand otherwise this will be tough.
informative
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
A good book that is marred by very poor or nonexistent editing. There are so many mistakes that it actually harms the author's credibility and reliability. Repeated sentences in the same paragraph, weird formatting, and other amateurish mistakes make me wonder how careless he was with his sources. In the physical version of the book, he also references color in some of the figures he uses, but the book is in black and white. Its ironic that he is an analog diehard yet doesn’t cater to them in his own physical book.
An editor would have also cut this down by at least a third. Many supporting arguments are great, but too many are just weak. The author has a strong preference for analog tools that I happen to agree with, but his framing of digital tools is comical. For me, it's a bad sign that an author isn't willing to steelman their opposition.
Despite all this, I agree with the author's overall point, but the book almost makes me wish I didn't.
An editor would have also cut this down by at least a third. Many supporting arguments are great, but too many are just weak. The author has a strong preference for analog tools that I happen to agree with, but his framing of digital tools is comical. For me, it's a bad sign that an author isn't willing to steelman their opposition.
Despite all this, I agree with the author's overall point, but the book almost makes me wish I didn't.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
informative
slow-paced
This is a book that could have been condensed down to about 1/3 the length and not lost anything. The author relates himself A LOT.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
If you want to dive in to making an analog Zettlekasten, follow the author’s advice and don’t skip the preface.