What is Diaryx?

The word "Diaryx" is like 'diary' plus the letter 'x'! Like a futuristic version of a diary. (It is pronounced just like it looks: "diary - x.")

Diaryx is a project that seeks to spread awareness of the power of writing to change hearts and minds for the better. To do this, it provides:

1. the Diaryx Writing Specification, a useful and open writing standard,
2. the Diaryx application, which uses the specification,
3. and an upcoming persistent identifier (PID) system to make permanence accessible.

To read about the writing standards, the Diaryx Writing Specification, visit spec.diaryx.org. To use the Diaryx app, visit app.diaryx.org.

The creator of Diaryx is Adam Harris. He is building Diaryx in public. You can read his weekly newsletter at adammharris.substack.com (if you don't want to put your email in, just click "No thanks" and you will be able to see all the content).

Philosophy

There was a time in history when the ability to read and write was rare and valued. Eventually, nearly everyone learned how to read and write, which led to a revolution— primarily in the way people could think and how they could express themselves. Then, like clockwork, followed advancements in the sciences and the arts.

With that in mind, consider the following statements of belief:

• We believe that the ability to read and write were key to all of the technological advancements that we benefit from today.
• We believe that one of the most powerful ways to benefit humanity today is to increase their literacy.
• We believe that personal writing is important for three reasons: first, metacognition; second, structure; and third, consistency.

Metacognition is the ability to think about your own thoughts. You can look inside yourself and see what is actually going on in there! Writing in a diary or journal makes this easier by helping you see your thoughts outside yourself— on paper.

Structure is the antidote to unhelpful thinking. When we observe our own thoughts, we may see things we don't like. Writing helps us introduce structure into our mind by putting our thoughts through a filter, and into physical, seeable text.

Consistency helps you keep the good in and the bad out. You may change from day to day, but your writing doesn't change unless you choose to change it. Therefore, writing can be like a ship's anchor— when the storms of life come, you have the option to read what you have written and stay strong.

Diaryx is designed to help you in these three ways: metacognition, structure, and consistency.

How does it do that?

Right now, Diaryx is in its infancy. Neither the writing specification nor the Diaryx software are ready for widespread use. It boils down to a web-based markdown editor and a YAML frontmatter schema. But there are big dreams!

Right now, the Diaryx specification is probably most useful for power users of the Obsidian app. (Click here to see how!) But eventually it will be the universal format for all personal writing, and perhaps even more forms of self-quantifying.

Contact me!

If you have questions about Diaryx of any kind, or just want to chat, feel free to email me at adam@diaryx.net.