202107292136 The context of a link should give you a reason to follow it

When linking Zettel in a Zettelkasten, we should include the link in the context of the connection itself. That is to say, connections should be described in the Zettel that is connecting (or forward linking) to another Zettel.

For example, imagine I'm writing about apples and find that there's a striking similarity in how they grow to pears. I want to link from the Zettel about apples to the pear one, but I want to include the reason for the connection.

You could also make connections that are interesting about things that are not related. This concept is somewhat subtle, but there might be a good reason for saying that apples are very different to oranges. That reason should be in the context of the link.

Good

Apples grow in such and such a way that is nearly identical to [[pears]]. They have the same x and y, and do the same z.

Apples are strikingly different to [[oranges]] in almost every way. They taste completely different, are different colors, grow differently. Because of their massive differences, the saying "comparing apples to oranges" is a ubiquitous way to signify two completely dissimilar things.

Bad

See [[pears]]

Contrasts with [[oranges]]