notation, n.All

Notation (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the labels on the pigeonholes into which memory sorts perception — and it is very hard to notice anything that has no label.

A Notation (n.) can ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠irresistibly attract or repel us; like a change of clothes or of names, changing it may mean very little and may mean a great deal.

Notation (n.) decides ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠how hard a problem looks: multiplication torments those using Roman numerals, is easy in Arabic ones, easier on an abacus.

Notation (n.) that ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠makes every tautology recognizable as a tautology in one and the same way is the fundamental problem of logic.