Bi-directional links create emergent structure
When A links to B, B should know about A. This simple property transforms a collection of notes into a network.
Traditional hyperlinks are one-way. You can go there but you can't see what points here. Bi-directional links fix this. Every link creates a backlink.
This matters because:
- Structure emerges from content. No need to pre-organize. Link patterns reveal clusters naturally.
- Serendipity increases. Unexpected connections surface through backlinks.
- Notes stay discoverable. Orphan notes are visible failures. Even broken links serve purpose.
The concept appears in digital-gardens, wikis, and tools like Roam, Obsidian, and Notion.
Bi-directional links enable knowledge accrual by making every addition strengthen the whole network.