In her book, The Extended Mind, Annie Murphy Paul says:
“We extend beyond our limits, not by revving our brains like a machine or bulking them up like a muscle — but by strewing our world with rich materials, and by weaving them into our thoughts.”
"Note" is an overloaded word: we use it to describe different things — stickies, shopping lists, mind maps, etc. — that serve different purposes. Knowing why you're taking notes helps you think better.
@scottmatter Hadn’t read that (also popping it on my ever-expanding list, thank you) but yes, indeed, the human mind extends far beyond the brain. And you’re entirely correct that this is fundamental to design. Not just to the process itself but also in determining the character of the things we create and how those things, in turn, shape our reality.