Writing in the open
Look beneaththe finished draft.
Essays about arguments, evidence, writing memory, and the structure hidden inside prose.
What Is Problem Formulation? How to Define and Structure Problems
Learn what problem formulation is, how it differs from a problem statement, and how to deconstruct complicated and complex problems to find true root causes.
Open the essay8 min read · Ezra SuLogic Tree: How to Break Down Complex Problems and Find the True Root Cause
Learn how to use a logic tree to break down complex problems, separate diagnostic from solution trees, and find true root causes using the MECE principle.
Open the essay10 min read · Ezra SuWhat Is a Complex Problem? (Complicated vs. Complex vs. Wicked Explained)
Learn how to solve problems more effectively by distinguishing different categories of complex problems and starting from their unique characteristics.
Open the essay7 min read · Ezra SuObsidian Canvas vs. Heptabase: How File-Centric and Card-Centric Architectures Shape Spatial Thinking
An architectural comparison of Obsidian Canvas and Heptabase: how file-centric vs. card-centric models shape spatial thinking, graph indexing, and portability.
Open the essay10 min read · Ezra SuLogical Compilation: Collapsing Linear Prose into Explicit Proposition Trees
Why does natural language need an AST? Exploring computable environments, decoding costs, and collapsing linear prose into explicit proposition trees.
Open the essay8 min read · Ezra SuWhat Writing Actually Is When You Strip Away the Fluff
A deconstruction of writing as an asynchronous communication protocol—and how practical utility meets emotional resonance.
Open the essay7 min read · Ezra SuWhy Rapid Iteration Fails Without a Clear Question
Speed creates learning only when you know what you test. A practical way to explore the market, diagnose real constraints, and iterate with purpose.
Open the essay5 min read · Ezra Su