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Mind maps vs context maps: what's the difference?
Both use nodes and connections, but they solve very different problems. Here's how to tell them apart.
From a distance, mind maps and context maps look similar. Up close, they're solving completely different problems.
Mind maps are for organising your thinking
A mind map is a static, manually-built diagram. You draw nodes for ideas and lines for relationships. The map helps you, the human, see structure in your own thoughts.
Context maps are for organising the AI's thinking
A context map is generated from your AI conversation and is connected to the AI itself. The nodes aren't just visual – they represent slices of context the AI can be focused on. Selecting a node changes what the AI pays attention to next.
Why this distinction matters
If you only need to brainstorm with yourself, a mind map is fine. If you're working with AI, you need something the AI can actually use. That's a context map – and it's what BrainStorm is built around.