Creating a personal Wiki (like wiki.garysheng.com) serves as a distinct platform to document, structure, and share knowledge, differing significantly from blogging platforms like Substack. While both platforms have their place and some overlap, they serve different functions and cater to different content types.
Difference between Blogging and a Personal Wiki
A blog, like Substack, is generally utilized for more subjective and expressive content. Blog posts can range from personal anecdotes and arguments to musings and timeless observations, often showcasing an author's artistic flair and emotional undertones. Blogs serve as a space for heartfelt expression, authentic to the individual at the moment of writing. Importantly as well, blog posts get sent directly to the inboxes of email subscribers (so you should have a lot of discernment on what to send to them, because you want to respect their scarce attention).
On the other hand, a personal Wiki serves as an objective repository of knowledge. Think of a Wiki article as a guide providing general, factual information on a topic, always aimed to be the most current and accurate. A personal Wiki's posts tend to be more factual and less emotional, designed as references for readers. For example, one might post an impassioned manifesto about foundational technology on their blog, while the Wiki would contain an objective article explaining what foundational technology is and listing top sectors within the field.
Benefits of a Personal Wiki
- Organizing Your Knowledge: A personal Wiki can serve as a "cathedral" of your knowledge. It enables the curation and structuring of your knowledge artifacts in a way that's easily accessible and navigable.
- Defining Your Identity: A Wiki can be part of your identity's constellation, alongside other facets such as occupation, relationships, and thought leadership. It allows you to showcase the knowledge you've accumulated, making it part of your personal and professional identity.
- Creating Useful Resources: Unlike a blog post that might be sent to subscribers' inboxes, a Wiki article exists as a resource that can be shared whenever relevant. It can serve as a reference for people seeking your expertise on specific topics.
- Enhancing Individual Sovereignty: A personal Wiki provides a space to document knowledge beyond an organization's bounds, enabling you to share expertise that doesn't necessarily fit within your professional sphere. This aids in fostering a sense of independence and sovereignty, free from reliance on organizational platforms.
- Future Trend: As we advance in the knowledge economy, personal Wikis are expected to gain popularity among thought leaders and strategists, serving as a strategic tool to showcase and share their expertise.
Overall, a personal Wiki can be an empowering tool for any individual looking to document and share their knowledge systematically. It offers a dedicated space for facts, guides, tips, and other information that may not fit into a blog's more subjective and expressive format. Creating a personal Wiki can be an investment that helps shape your identity and potentially impacts others in your field or beyond.
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