You need a structured graph feature to make Obsidian’s Graph useful: Obsidian Persistent Graph Plugin is an example of a plugin that provides a structured graph.
Otherwise, there are alternative tools that contain better graph features than Obsidian. For example, Roam Research supports a graph with degrees in and out which supports process-oriented note graphs (like @ObsidianOverlord9000’s comedy routine graph): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-xnDulxvaw&t=180
Obsidian’s default graph is non-functional because there is no consistency in the actual graph, which prevents analysis of the graph.
- You can not use the default global graph to “view” notes because the position of each note changes on every load. The graph also becomes crowded and unreadable due to overlapping nodes. This problem even occurs at depth = 2 on the local graph, which prevents process oriented graphing.
- You can’t specify a directional flow for nodes (such as SimpleMind’s vertical or horizontal automatic ordering) so you end up with 5 nodes that requires zig-zagging focus to follow.
- You can’t pin nodes on the default graph, which makes categorical nodes add more noise to the graph, when the purpose of a categorical node is to filter noise.
Obsidian has features that are better for the consumer (like offline access, file-based projects that support third-party sync) compared to alternative note-taking applications. However, the only advantage that Obsidian’s default graph features over alternative applications is the ability to create cross-links from the note’s content.
While automatic cross-linking is insightful when you have trouble relating information to other information, it doesn’t help a person who already connects multiple context (thoughts, actions, etc).
Here is an example.
- Person A is responsible for watching over a box until 12 PM.
- Person A takes the lock home.
- Person B is responsible for watching over a box from 1 PM to 5 PM.
- Person B attempts to lock the box, but cannot do so.
- Person B alerts an authority that the lock is missing.
- The box is left unlocked over night. Who is at fault?
A linear thinker argues that Person B is at fault because Person B didn’t lock the box when it was their responsibility.
A graph thinker argues that Person A is at fault because Person A has the lock that Person B needs to lock the box over night.
Most people think in a linear manner, so the graph view for Obsidian is insightful for them. However, this insight is not actionable beyond self-reflection.