Direct links are the strongest type of relationship.
They are the purest and most explicit way of connecting two notes.
This is the core method of growing a healthy, dynamic zettelkasten.
Pros
A flat structure of notes — i.e. one big folder — is “frictionless”. There is no thinking “now where exactly does this go?”
Links force you to focus on “relevance”. Links encourage lateral thinking and the generation of unexpected insights.
Cons
Using only links can lead to a messy, overwhelming, and claustrophobic note library.
Despite the proclamations during the “Great Folder Rebellion”, direct links alone are not enough.
They do not allow for easy, dependable high-level navigation.
Remember the graphic showcasing Cards/Idea Emergence? Direct links only keep you at ==eye-level in the dense forest (Emergence Level 2)==, but many times you want to zoom out and view the map. That is where higher-order notes (like MOCs) will help.
