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About When Notes Fly

A long-term editorial project exploring how people think, learn, work, and interact with technology and culture through research-informed analysis.

Our Mission

When Notes Fly exists to publish expert-authored, research-backed analysis about the mental models, systems, and behaviors that shape modern knowledge work and intellectual life.

Every article is written by domain experts—researchers, practitioners, and scholars with deep expertise in their fields. We don't publish surface-level commentary or aggregated content. Our contributors spend weeks researching, synthesizing academic literature, and consulting primary sources to produce original analysis you won't find anywhere else.

We believe that the best ideas deserve space to breathe—room for nuance, complexity, and depth. In an information ecosystem optimized for speed and virality, we're building a publication optimized for accuracy, rigor, and long-term value.

This isn't a news site. It's not a blog network. It's a carefully curated collection of expert-driven, research-informed analysis designed to help thoughtful readers understand how minds work, how learning happens, and how technology shapes human behavior.

What We Cover

Mental Models & Cognition

How people make decisions, form beliefs, evaluate evidence, and reason about the world.

Learning & Knowledge

How we acquire, retain, organize, and apply information in effective and durable ways.

Technology & Human Behavior

How digital tools, platforms, and systems influence thinking, attention, and social dynamics.

Work & Creativity

Insights on knowledge work, creative processes, productivity systems, and professional development.

Culture & Ideas

Cultural analysis, intellectual trends, and the evolution of ideas across disciplines.

Our Editorial Principles

01

Expert Authorship

Every article is written by someone with genuine expertise—researchers with published work, practitioners with years of experience, or scholars with deep domain knowledge. We verify credentials and require authors to cite their sources.

02

Research-Backed Analysis

Our contributors spend weeks researching each article, consulting academic literature, empirical studies, and primary sources. Claims are supported by evidence, arguments are built on established research, and speculations are clearly labeled as such.

03

Original Thinking

We don't republish press releases, rehash viral takes, or recycle content from other sources. Every article represents original research, fresh synthesis, or novel analysis that advances understanding.

04

Intellectual Rigor

Complexity should be respected, not reduced to simplistic narratives or clickbait headlines. We fact-check aggressively, peer-review internally, and maintain editorial standards comparable to academic publications.

05

Clear Communication

Expert knowledge should be accessible. We avoid jargon unless necessary, define technical terms, and never sacrifice clarity for the appearance of sophistication.

06

Long-Term Value

We optimize for evergreen content that remains authoritative years after publication, not viral trends that disappear in days. Articles are continuously updated as new research emerges.

07

Editorial Independence

We're not beholden to advertisers, sponsors, or external agendas. Our editorial decisions serve readers and the pursuit of accurate, nuanced understanding—not revenue targets or ideological commitments.

Our Research Process

Every article published on When Notes Fly goes through a rigorous research and editorial process designed to ensure accuracy, depth, and originality.

Deep Research (2-4 weeks)

Contributors review academic literature, empirical studies, and primary sources. We consult peer-reviewed journals, established frameworks, and expert practitioners to build comprehensive understanding.

Original Synthesis (1-2 weeks)

Authors synthesize research into original analysis, connecting insights across disciplines and identifying patterns that advance understanding beyond existing literature.

Editorial Review (3-5 days)

Internal peer review for accuracy, clarity, and rigor. We fact-check claims, verify sources, and ensure arguments meet our editorial standards before publication.

Continuous Updates

Articles are living documents. As new research emerges or understanding evolves, we update content to maintain accuracy and relevance over years.

3-6 weeks
Research & Writing Time
15-30
Sources Per Article
100%
Expert-Authored
Peer-Reviewed
Editorial Process

Who This Is For

When Notes Fly is designed for thoughtful readers who value expert knowledge over hot takes, research-backed analysis over opinion, and intellectual depth over viral content.

This Is For You If...

  • You're a knowledge worker, researcher, or educator who values rigorous analysis
  • You want to understand complex topics through expert perspectives
  • You prefer depth and nuance over speed and simplification
  • You're willing to spend 10-15 minutes reading a well-researched article
  • You value accuracy and intellectual honesty over ideological alignment
  • You're building long-term understanding, not just staying current

This Probably Isn't For You If...

  • You're looking for breaking news or trending hot takes
  • You prefer listicles and content optimized for social sharing
  • You want quick summaries rather than detailed exploration
  • You're seeking entertainment over education
  • You prefer opinion pieces to research-backed analysis
  • You need everything to align with your existing worldview

If you've made it this far, you're probably in the right place. Welcome.

Who Writes for When Notes Fly

Academic Researchers

PhDs and postdocs with published research in cognitive science, psychology, education, and related fields.

Industry Practitioners

Senior professionals with 10+ years applying research principles in education, product design, and organizational development.

Domain Experts

Authors, educators, and thought leaders with demonstrated expertise and recognized contributions to their fields.

Credentials Matter: All contributors provide verification of expertise. We list author credentials, publications, and affiliations on every article to maintain transparency and accountability.

Are You an Expert in Your Field?

We're looking for researchers, practitioners, and domain experts who want to share rigorous, research-backed analysis with a thoughtful audience. If you have deep expertise and a commitment to intellectual honesty, we'd like to hear from you.

Pitch Your Expertise