Bozoma

I think there's four things I suggest you consider.

1. Writing is thinking [1][2][3]

There are a number of articles that explain this concept better than I can here, but assuming you understand the idea, I'll continue.

The next time you're thinking about some problem, try to write your thoughts and reasoning down as notes. Your writing should be an extension of reasoning, and help formulate and refine your ideas. Whether your notes are on paper or by pixel shouldn't matter, but just get your ideas down. Next, order these ideas by logical progression: maybe one concept leads you to the next, so order them in that progression. Finally, make sure the links between each idea are not leaps in thought but rather fluid and clear progressions. Fill in the gaps as necessary.

Now you should have an outline for your article. At this point, I've found it's more or less a matter of expanding on and explaining each idea more thoroughly. Of course, the hook and conclusion are less well-defined.

For me, if it's really something I care about writing a post about, I've found I've already done the note-taking part at least. After that, the post seems to write itself.

If you don't already take notes or use writing to help you think, I recommend taking this as a first step to helping you write your blog posts. I personally prefer pen and paper, since I can still keep the mistakes around!

2. Write for yourself

Assume no one is going to read your article, at first. Write the article that…

Facebook / Meta has argued in court that their “fact checks” are opinion and not subject to defamation etc: https://mobile.twitter.com/PoliticalShort/status/1469674040805707784/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1469674040805707784%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthefederalist.com%2F2021%2F12%2F13%2Ffacebook-quietly-admits-its-third-party-fact-checks-are-opinions%2F

This position aligns with Meta CTO boz’s thesis of the “Platinum Rule:” choose personal success over authenticity.
https://boz.com/articles/malcontents

The sad thing for BMJ is they spent so much time “investigating” and trying to criticize here. That’s exactly what Zuck wants—- any news is good news when you’re the dominant network. Following boz’s own advice (“co-opt the establishment not fight it”), BMJ should go after sanctioning the Meta board. E.g. file a breach of fiduciary claim with the SEC. Everybody should be doing that. False “fact checks” can legally mislead users, but you can’t mislead investors. Get Zuck and his empty metaverse vision out of there before Snap and Ticktok take he market.

I'm sure you can understand how if an article with religion at its core makes it to the front of HN, discussions about that religion are completely on topic and justified (and not at all generic).

This is not meant as a flame war or a tangent. When I say I find religion scary, it's in response to the article pointing out that a blogger who focused on the absence of religious tolerance was hacked to death with a machete by members of the very religion he stood against.

I don't think I'll come to your way of thinking about my post (no surprise) but I'm a bit confused why HN would allow an article to get to the front page if it doesn't want the contents therein discussed.

Edit in response to Being Kinder. Be Kind
http://boz.com/articles/be-kind.html

“The first step is to find someone on the team and ask for 30 minutes with them. In that meeting you have a simple agenda:

For the first 25 minutes: ask them to tell you everything they think you should know. Take copious notes. Only stop them to ask about things you don’t understand. Always stop them to ask about things you don’t understand.
For the next 3 minutes: ask about the biggest challenges the team has right now.
In the final 2 minutes: ask who else you should talk to. Write down every name they give you.
Repeat the above process for every name you’re given. Don’t stop until there are no new names.”

https://boz.com/articles/career-cold-start

Two recommendations:

* On Writing Well

* Google's free, self-guided technical writing courses

Using these, you should get much better at refining your writing. Write naturally, then go back and edit when rereading according to the your new skills.

Another thing to get better at is layering your message. Assume that some percentage of people drop off each paragraph. Important details for the entire audience should be front and center. Then gradually get more specific.

Boz has a nice write up on this: https://boz.com/articles/communication-is-the-job

There's another "be kind" story that's also been submitted to HN in the past:

http://boz.com/articles/be-kind.html

- Brian recalls a time he was treated with kindness, and remembers to be kind to others.

- Boz recalls a time he was almost fired due to not being kind, and remembers to be kind to others.

So remember, be kind!

Previously:

- 2475 points, 2 years ago: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12707606 (Brian)

- 1198 points, 3 years ago: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9534310 (Boz)