I don’t know who thought up the index card. My guess is that Dewey, inventor of the library classification system, seized upon the idea. Why is the index card so great, because it keeps people from getting overwhelmed. Ever try to fit one more idea on a card?
That’s why writers, 12-steppers, project managers, school teachers, and grandmas them into their lives. They make novels and screenplays, recovering from addiction, managing a software project, learning your students names, and writing down recipes more manageable. The craziest thing for me is that I always had negative associations with index cards. For me the index card reminds me of school ma’amry at its highest art. Let’s deduct 5 points for the missing period. Often in school, I would rewrite my note cards to match my research paper. I associated them with sternness and lack of imagination. “I’m a creative person,” I’d think. “I don’t need them to right.” So right when I started college, I threw out every note card in an act of defiance, unless I was learning German vocabulary (that was an OK use for 3×5 cards). Funny things is, I’m discovery many of my inner demons: resisting writing, compulsive debting, and clutter can be reduced by these little cards. They help you break things down bird by bird (thanks Anne Lamont) style. The best design is simple. 3 x 5 and white. Perfect. Kudos to the 3 x 5 card.
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