Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I have a theory on this point, after witnessing this effect in a few other places (emails from prominent writers, CEOs, etc).

Writers write so much that their fear of shipping their writing is diminished through practice, so they write, ship, write, ship, write, ship. They're in creative mode, just putting words on the paper. They're busy, so they go quickly, so that they can get more done. They know that when it matters, they can copyedit—or have someone else proofread.

On the other hand, there are those of us who will spend an extra 5 minutes on every comment we post looking over it out of perfectionism or OCD or fear of the inevitable, "You sound like a moron" comment later in the thread.

I've taken to really admiring the type-type-type get a million emails/comments/tweets/posts out a day style.

Move fast and break things. Edit later.



That's the problem though. These 'writers' tend to demand respect and be acknowledged as journalists, yet can't even proof their own words. I don't think I've gone gone through a day where I don't find grammar and spelling errors on high volume news sites like HuffPo and Techcrunch.

I think when you have such a high profile and mass visibility, the bar for quality is raised higher (or should be), even in the context of speed posting and scoops. Your product influences a generation that is sadly forgetting and ignoring the value of proper grammar.


> They're busy, so they go quickly, so that they can get more done. > Move fast and break things. Edit later.

What if time("go quickly... get more done") + time(fixing "[broken] things") > time("spend an extra 5 minutes")?

> I've taken to really admiring the type-type-type get a million emails/comments/tweets/posts out a day style.

I can't tolerate this style. In my experience, the type-type-type individuals often express their ideas in unclear ways.

Measure twice, cut once. I proudly spent 6 minutes writing this reply.


I might have to steal/quote that last line.

"Move fast and break things. Edit later." Perfect.


Release early and often.

The prolbem ocrcus wehn exprsesd tghins are had to undrestnad, or the idaes pooryl tghought out.


Interestingly enough, most people will be able to understand exactly what you wrote there. People can easily recognize common words "by shape". They only ever have to look at the first and last letters.

I'm not saying people won't notice there's something wrong with what you wrote. They will. But they'll be able to understand you perfectly despite that.


I'm aware people can understand that, but it's certainly not as easy as the properly formed words. I used that technique to make sure my point was carried across.


> Move fast and break things. Edit later.

Ironically, you can't edit posts on Facebook.


You sound like a moron!




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: