Even if no one reads your blog, it's still valuable. Writing clarifies your thinking, solidifies your understanding of a topic, and acts as a personal record of your intellectual journey. It can serve as a sandbox for experimenting with ideas, a portfolio to showcase skills, and a springboard for future projects. Essentially, blogging is an act of learning and self-improvement, with the potential bonus of connecting with an audience down the line.
Driven by a lifelong fascination with pipe organs, Martin Wandel embarked on a multi-decade project to build one in his home. Starting with simple PVC pipes and evolving to meticulously crafted wooden ones, he documented his journey of learning woodworking, electronics, and organ-building principles. The project involved designing and constructing the windchest, pipes, keyboard, and the complex electronic control system needed to operate the organ. Over time, Wandel refined his techniques, improving the organ's sound and expanding its capabilities. The result is a testament to his dedication and ingenuity, a fully functional pipe organ built from scratch in his own basement.
Commenters on Hacker News largely expressed admiration for the author's dedication and the impressive feat of building a pipe organ at home. Several appreciated the detailed documentation and the clear passion behind the project. Some discussed the complexities of organ building, touching on topics like voicing pipes and the intricacies of the mechanical action. A few shared personal experiences with organs or other complex DIY projects. One commenter highlighted the author's use of readily available materials, making the project seem more approachable. Another noted the satisfaction derived from such long-term, challenging endeavors. The overall sentiment was one of respect and appreciation for the author's craftsmanship and perseverance.
A Hacker News user is offering to create and physically mail small, simple 3D-printed models to anyone interested. They specify a size limit (roughly a keyring's dimensions) due to printing and postage costs, and encourage requests for things like "tiny abstract sculptures," "parametric trinkets," or "little robots." The offer is primarily driven by the enjoyment of the process and the novelty of sending physical objects in the digital age.
Commenters on the "Ask HN: Anyone want models snail-mailed to them?" post largely expressed confusion about what the original poster (OP) meant by "models." Some guessed physical, scale models, leading to discussions about the logistics and cost of shipping. Others interpreted "models" as referring to AI/ML models, prompting questions about the practicalities and purpose of mailing data or code physically. Several commenters jokingly inquired about the possibility of receiving fashion models or model airplanes. The overall sentiment leaned towards curiosity and playful skepticism due to the ambiguity of the original post. A few helpful users suggested the OP clarify their intent for better engagement.
Summary of Comments ( 77 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42992159
HN commenters largely agree with the author's premise that blogging, even without a large audience, has value. Several highlight the benefits of writing as a way to clarify thinking, consolidate knowledge, and improve writing skills. Some suggest that a blog can serve as a personal knowledge base, searchable archive, or a way to track personal growth. A few practical suggestions include focusing on niche topics and promoting the blog through relevant communities. The idea of writing primarily for oneself, with the potential for an audience as a secondary benefit, is a recurring theme. Some commenters share their own experiences of low-traffic blogs providing unexpected value, like attracting job offers or connecting with like-minded individuals. The overall sentiment is that the intrinsic rewards of blogging often outweigh the pressure of building a large readership.
The Hacker News post "Why Blog If Nobody Reads It?" generated a significant discussion with a variety of perspectives on the value of blogging, even with a small or non-existent audience.
Several commenters echoed the sentiment of the original article, emphasizing the intrinsic benefits of blogging. They highlighted the value of writing as a tool for clarifying thoughts, improving writing skills, and solidifying understanding of a topic. One commenter described it as "rubber-ducking" for complex ideas, where the act of articulating a concept helps in understanding it better. Another commenter suggested that even if no one reads the blog, the process of organizing and presenting information publicly forces a higher level of rigor and clarity of thought compared to private notes.
Building on this idea, many comments discussed the use of a blog as a personal knowledge base. Commenters described using their blogs as searchable archives of their learning process, allowing them to easily revisit past projects, ideas, and solutions to problems they've encountered. This was seen as particularly valuable for technical topics, where revisiting specific code snippets or explanations from previous work could save significant time and effort.
Some commenters addressed the potential for future readership, arguing that even if a blog isn't read now, it could be discovered later by someone facing the same challenges. They viewed blogging as a form of "paying it forward," contributing to the collective knowledge base of the internet. This also ties into the idea of a blog as a portfolio, showcasing skills and knowledge to potential employers or collaborators.
A few commenters offered practical advice for those starting a blog. Suggestions included focusing on niche topics, consistently producing high-quality content, and actively engaging with other bloggers and online communities. One commenter pointed out the importance of owning your own domain and platform for long-term control and flexibility.
While some commenters were skeptical about the value of blogging without an audience, the overall sentiment leaned towards recognizing the inherent benefits of the practice. The discussion highlighted the value of writing for personal growth, knowledge retention, and potential future impact, regardless of immediate readership. Several commenters shared their personal experiences of how blogging, even with a limited audience, had positively impacted their careers and learning journey.