Roam Research
Roam Research is a note-taking tool built around bidirectional linking. Every bullet point can reference any other, creating an emergent knowledge graph from your notes.
Why this score
The block-reference system requires you to think about how ideas relate to each other. Daily notes provide a natural starting point but the linking is entirely user-driven.
No engagement mechanics, no social features, no AI assistance.
The breakdown
- Attention Capture1.0
Mechanics designed to keep you in the app right now — infinite scroll, autoplay, variable rewards, and reactive swipe-tap loops.
- Habit Formation1.0
Mechanics designed to bring you back — streak coercion, default push notifications, and re-engagement of dormant users.
- Social Pressure1.0
How much the experience exploits social psychology — public metrics, profile curation, and status comparison against others.
- Time Theft1.0
Mechanics that steal more time than you intended to give — no stopping cues, short units, and 'just one more' loops.
- Cognitive Erosion1.0
Mechanics that replace your independent thinking, memory, or judgment — creating dependency on the tool to function.
- Cognitive Nourishment8.0
Whether the app actively strengthens your ability to think for yourself. Shown on the label, but it does not affect the score.