Although the concept of a “digital garden” has been around for at least a decade, I only recently discovered it on Maggie Appleton’s website. I was fascinated by the idea of having a personal website as a more dynamic and interconnected space that grows organically and non-linearly. In essence, it is an intimately individual realm, centered on the process of one person’s learning and exploration; however, the ideas that thrive within it are extended to an audience.
The concept draws inspiration from the idea of a garden, where ideas can be planted, nurtured, and allowed to grow in a more natural and interconnected way.
It’s also somewhat related to the idea of personal knowledge manager and second brain where digital tools are used to capture, organize and make sense of information in a way that makes more sense to a person’s mental processes. In practice, individuals often integrate these concepts, using a digital garden as a way to share and explore ideas with a broader audience, while their second brain serves as a private repository for personal knowledge and information management. Both concepts share the common goal of leveraging digital tools to enhance cognitive abilities, creativity, and knowledge retention.
Some of the best-known examples of “digital gardens” that I find interesting:
This is a concept that I’m interested in exploring and which greatly enhances the scope of a personal website.