Molecular notes

A molecular note is a note that contains multiple topics (or ideas) within it.
It contrasts an atomic note, which focuses on a single topic.

Tip

Use atomic notes when you want maximum flexibility and precise linking.
Use molecular notes when ideas naturally belong together and separating them would weaken their meaning.

Concept

The metaphor comes from chemistry:
- Atoms are the smallest indivisible units.
- Molecules are combinations of atoms, originating more complex structures.
In the same way:
- Atomic notes = minimal, single-topic notes.
- Molecular notes = richer, multi-topic notes that serve as the base unit of information.

Single atoms rarely exist in isolation; they almost always combine into molecules. Likewise, notes often make more sense when grouped into coherent clusters of meaning.

Why molecular notes?

Contextual richness: They allow related ideas to live together.
Practicality: Reduces fragmentation when topics are too interdependent.
Natural structure: Mirrors how knowledge is often applied — in clusters, not in isolation.
Base unit: Instead of always combining atomic notes, the molecule itself can be the starting point.

In real life…

I’ve seen that many people start fragmenting their notes and creating thousands (literally!) of atomic notes. The thing is that to understand something, you can’t read a single note and you have to navigate through multiple notes and paths to be able to remember something or to learn other things. With molecular notes, whenever we have multiple atomic pieces that always have to go together we create a molecular note.

It is the fight against premature optimization and excessive note atomization.