describe using characteristics rather than labels
[[distillation-data]]
I prefer to (initially) describe things using characteristics instead of labels. Or perhaps more practically, I prefer to define labels with characteristics... which is maybe an extremely "math way" of thinking.
Characteristics are more precise.
Labels are OK, but can lose meaning. They can be imprecise or have multiple meanings based on context. As an example, all definitions of Zettelkasten are speculative.
Labels are groupings of characteristics. Labels should be as simple and unambiguous as possible.
Labels can carry baggage. Labels can imply these characteristics are good and these characteristics are bad.
But sometimes imprecision is more powerful. Sometimes groups of related characteristics creates a sense of collective identity for the people that share them.
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Created 2025-03-17 Last Modified 2025-04-15
