Knowledge work should accumulate insights over time, but most knowledge workers don't have systems that support this accumulation.
The typical pattern is to start fresh with each new project—reading papers, taking notes, then moving on without building lasting understanding. This is incredibly wasteful.
Effective knowledge workers develop systems that help insights accumulate:
The goal is to build a "knowledge asset" that grows more valuable over time, rather than starting from zero with each new project.
Just as compound interest makes money grow exponentially, cumulative knowledge systems can make learning grow exponentially. Each new insight builds on previous insights, creating powerful feedback loops.
This principle underlies why effective deep-work is so important for knowledge workers.