Tools for Thought

Software that extends your mind rather than just storing information.

Obsidian — local-first markdown with bidirectional links. My current daily driver. The graph view is fun but the real value is in how linking forces you to connect ideas.

Notion — good for structured data, less good for freeform thinking. I use it for project management, not for ideas.

Are.na — visual bookmarking and idea collection. Great for mood boards and visual research. The "channel" metaphor is underrated.

Figma — not traditionally a "thinking tool" but spatial canvases are underrated for brainstorming. FigJam even more so.