As We May Think · Article in the Atlantic

As We May Think · Article in the Atlantic

Vannevar Bush. 1945. (View Article →)

Consider a future device... in which an individual stores all his books, records, and communications and which is mechanised so that it may be consulted with exceeding speed and flexibility. It is an enlarged intimate supplement to his memory.

I use Notion as my second brain. It’s become my Memex. Vannevar Bush imagined and articulated a truly amazing vision for the future - one that we’re still building on today. I’m grateful to live in a time when we have access to this tech.

Bush got the big picture completely right, the power of a personalised information system, the linking of ideas. - that’s extraordinary. This paper is timeless - but he did get the medium wrong. Apparently he held onto the idea of using a mechanical device - long after it was clear digital was the answer.