# The Real Impact of Personal Knowledge Management Systems Do note-taking tools truly transform knowledge? - **Source:** [Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-28 - **Topic:** [Career Growth](https://brifing.si/c/growth) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0c1c9515-c04c-4272-893b-07362e63045b ## The Purpose of Note-Taking Systems Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) systems are designed to help individuals organize information, create connections, and support long-term learning. Tools like Obsidian allow users to create local Markdown files and build a personalized knowledge network. However, the real-world impact of these systems remains debatable. ## Brennan's Critique Brennan Kenneth Brown questions whether tools like Obsidian have increased 'public-facing understanding and knowledge.' Brown argues that the existence of a tool doesn't automatically lead to societal contributions. For example, tools like Emacs and vim have existed for decades without directly impacting public knowledge. Brown emphasizes that tools mediate what users create. ## Obsidian's Core Claims The Obsidian team states that the tool offers a 'customizable foundation' and lets users build their own systems. Concepts like data privacy, portability, and 'future-proofing' are highlighted. However, as Brown points out, there's no evidence these features carry 'higher-brow epistemological value.' ## Tool or User? Brown argues that the impact of tools like Obsidian depends on how users employ them. A tool alone doesn't automatically transform knowledge. For instance, Obsidian is essentially an extension of the wiki concept invented in 1994. Brown stresses that tools rely on users' creativity. ## Diversity of PKM Systems Various PKM systems like PARA, Johnny Decimal, and Zettelkasten cater to different needs. But Brown questions whether these systems make 'important and meaningful contributions.' For example, academic contributions don't automatically translate to broader societal understanding. Brown maintains that PKM's measurable impact is unclear. ## The Core Questions of the Critique Brown poses a series of questions to evaluate PKM systems: 'Do these systems contribute to our understanding of the world?' and 'Is knowledge shared rather than gatekept?' Yet these questions themselves are contentious. For instance, academia is often seen as a form of elitism in knowledge distribution. ## The Obsidian User Community Brown notes that the ecosystem around Obsidian can sometimes be off-putting. However, he argues that tools should be judged by their functionality, not their users. Obsidian's developers emphasize that it's a 'customizable foundation' for users to build their own systems. ## Limitations of Note-Taking Tools Brown asserts that note-taking tools don't automatically transform knowledge; they only help organize it. For example, a personal wiki tool's effectiveness depends on how the user structures information. Brown reiterates that tools rely on users' creativity. ## The Future of PKM Brown explores how PKM systems might evolve, such as through AI integration. But the core question remains: Tools gain value based on how users leverage them. Brown continues to investigate whether PKM has measurable societal impact. ## Conclusion: The Role of Tools Brown's analysis shows that note-taking tools don't revolutionize knowledge on their own but gain value through users' creativity. Tools like Obsidian provide a strong foundation for organizing information, but their real impact depends on how users apply them. The true effect of PKM systems lies in what users do with them. ## Sources covering this story - https://unattributed.cc/note-taking-and-personal-knowledge-management — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._