Darren's Knowledge Garden 🪴

About This Site

Feb 13, 20252 min read

This site itself is an example of the principles it discusses - it’s built as a digital garden and knowledge graph using open-source, decentralized tools:

  • Content Creation: Markdown files edited with tools like Obsidian (for networked thought) and VS Code
  • Publishing: Quartz for converting the knowledge graph into a browsable website
  • Version Control: GitHub as a repository for content and collaboration
  • Knowledge Graph: Bidirectional links and backlinks enable exploration of connected concepts

This architecture was chosen intentionally to align with the site’s focus on decentralized knowledge systems and reflects key principles:

  • Open Source: All tools and content are open source and freely available
  • Decentralized: Content can be edited locally and synced when needed
  • Composable: Each tool serves a specific function and can be replaced or upgraded
  • Interoperable: Standard formats (Markdown) ensure content portability
  • Version Controlled: Changes are tracked and can be collaborated on
  • Network Structure: Content is interconnected rather than hierarchical

A Template for Knowledge Graphs

This setup serves as a practical example of how discourse and knowledge graphs can be implemented. Other projects can use this same framework to create their own networked knowledge bases:

  1. Local Editing

    • Use Obsidian for visual graph exploration and linking
    • Use VS Code for technical editing and git integration
    • Any text editor can work with the Markdown files

  2. Publishing Options

    • Quartz provides a clean, searchable interface
    • Other static site generators can be used
    • Content remains portable due to standard formats

  3. Collaboration Workflow

    • Git/GitHub enables distributed contribution
    • Pull requests for suggested changes
    • Issue tracking for discussions
    • Version history for transparency

  4. Knowledge Organization

    • Bidirectional links create organic connection
    • Tags and categories for flexible organization
    • Full-text search capability
    • Visual graph exploration

Relevance to Broader Themes

This architecture embodies many of the principles discussed on this site:

  • Decentralized yet coordinated information management
  • Open protocols for knowledge sharing
  • Bottom-up organization through organic linking
  • Composable tools that can evolve with needs
  • Balance of local autonomy and global connectivity

For technical details on setting up a similar system, see:

Graph View

Backlinks