[Y_Y]

I like collecting little ideas like this. Slightly meta-ironically I'd describe the genre as "just abstract enough to be useful nuggets of knowledge" and I have an org file full of them. The hard part is I don't know any better name for such "concepts" so I can't search for other people's lists.

Does anyone else keep a similar collect or have advice for finding more?

(For example Gurwinder sometimes posts lists like this: https://www.gurwinder.blog/p/30-useful-concepts-spring-2024 - that's what I'm talking about.)

[tomw1808]

I have some bookmarked, but definitely not a nice list like that one, and not as many. Do you have more like these? I love to indulge into these for a few minutes a day, during commuting on the subway. I am always wondering if its because it somehow gives instant gratification into that desire to do something meaningful with the time with very little effort, ie that something new was learned (and then usually as instantly as learned forgotten :) )

[Y_Y]

Ok, I took a rough list I had on my phone and added LLM summaries: https://pastebin.com/crrkdYfb

[wheelinsupial]

I’m not sure if it’s similar to what you’re talking about, but there is something called “TRIZ” that’s a collection of “things” we were introduced to in a mechanical design class I took.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRIZ

[eternityforest]

I think TRIZ applies to software in some cases too, but I usually get down voted for saying so.

[myself248]

Wasn't that sort of the genesis of KK's Cool Tools?

I don't know a more general name.

[dialup_sounds]

"concept" is the closest term with the least baggage, though I admit it's disappointingly unexciting. Perhaps the concept of concepts needs to be defined and named an eponymous law.

"Epistemological atom" is bulky. Some are principles, some are laws, some are aphorisms, some are patterns. Sometimes you see "nuggets" or "pearls of wisdom". The publishing industry tries to froth these ideas into $25 nonfiction hardbacks, 15 minute TED talks, and hour long podcast appearances, but they are without obvious exception small ideas.

"meme" as analogous to gene might have taken root in some alternate timeline. I think one of the characteristics that makes certain ideas compelling in this way is that they seem to be applicable in ways far beyond their origin (cf. design patterns). That's why they feel collectable.

I liked the term "knol" for a "unit of knowledge" from when Google tried to do a wikipedia like thing. There is definitely a shape and scope relatable to a wiki page. The idea should feel unique and complete enough to have its own wiki page but dense enough to fit in the summary.

[mcphage]

Somewhat related is the idea of "Mental Models"... I sometimes see list of mental models that are kinda akin to what you're describing.