It’s never been easier for us to obtain information in today’s digital age. But at the same time, it’s never been more difficult for us to organize, synthesize, and make sense of all that information we have at our fingertips.

That’s why author Tiago Forte believes we need to build a “second brain,” or a personal system for knowledge management. To build up this system, Forte recommends using the CODE system: C for Capture, O for Organize, D for Distill, and E for Express.

Forte elaborates on his idea of the second brain — and much, much more — in this wide-ranging Big Think interview.

0:00 Meet Tiago Forte

00:16 How much information do we consume?

4:37 Why did history’s great minds keep ‘commonplace books’?

9:58 What is the CODE framework?

12:16 How do we determine what is important to capture?

24:04 What are the benefits and limitations of capturing?

29:38 How do we organize what has been captured?

35:14 What is the distillation process?

38:05 What are the stages of expression?

44:26 How can we make the most out of CODE?

49:06 What are divergence and convergence?

1:01:29 When do we pivot between divergence and convergence?

1:06:32 Why are second brain practices important?

1:09:36 What is the future of second brains?

1:21:14 When should we start teaching second brain practices?

1:26:21 Can productivity and mindfulness coexist?

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About Tiago Forte:

Tiago Forte is one of the world’s foremost experts on productivity. He has taught more than 20,000 people worldwide through his programs and writes and speaks on how technology can help knowledge workers revolutionize their personal effectiveness.

Tiago’s online course, Building a Second Brain, has produced more than 5,000 graduates from over 70 countries. The course draws on his experience in academic disciplines such as information science, practical fields such as user experience design, and his work with top organizations and leaders in Silicon Valley. Tiago believes knowledge management is one of the most impactful skills in the world today, and his work is dedicated to making it accessible to individuals for the first time.

In a previous life, he worked in microfinance in Latin America, served in the Peace Corps in Ukraine, and consulted for large companies on product development in San Francisco. He lives in Long Beach, California, with his wife Lauren, son Caio, and dog Ximena.

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