In a world saturated with content, a new trend is emerging in the blogosphere: the art of the minimal post. Instead of lengthy articles filled with insights and analysis, some bloggers are opting for a simpler approach: a catchy title and a link to a Hacker News discussion.
This minimalist style raises questions about the role of the blog post itself. Is it merely a conversation starter? A headline designed to pique interest and drive traffic to a broader discussion?
The Rise of the "Comments" Post
Examples of this trend include posts such as "My Beancount books are 95% automatic after 3 years (2024)," "The Day the Muse Died," "Things we've learned about building products," and "A few words about FiveThirtyEight." All of these titles promise interesting content. However, clicking through reveals nothing more than a single word: "Comments," hyperlinked to a Hacker News thread.
While the titles themselves are intriguing, the lack of original content can be frustrating for readers expecting a fully formed article. However, it also suggests a shift in how online discussions are valued. Perhaps the blog post is no longer the primary source of information, but rather a catalyst for community engagement.
Is the Content in the Comments?
The success of this strategy depends heavily on the quality of the Hacker News discussion. If the comments section is filled with insightful contributions, diverse perspectives, and thoughtful analysis, the minimalist blog post can be considered a success. It has effectively curated a valuable conversation.
However, if the comments are sparse, irrelevant, or dominated by negativity, the blog post falls flat. The reader is left feeling shortchanged, having clicked through to find nothing of substance. This approach can be seen as both innovative and lazy, depending on the execution and the resulting discussion.
A New Form of Curation?
Ultimately, these minimalist blog posts represent a new form of content curation. Instead of writing extensively on a topic, the blogger is essentially pointing readers to a pre-existing discussion, trusting that the community will provide the substance. This approach can be effective if the blogger has a strong understanding of their audience and a good sense of what topics will resonate with them.
It remains to be seen whether this trend will continue to gain traction. But one thing is clear: it challenges our traditional notions of what constitutes a blog post and highlights the growing importance of online communities in shaping our understanding of the world.
"The content is no longer the article, but the conversation it sparks." - A hypothetical commentator.
Whether you find this approach innovative or frustrating, it's undeniable that these "Comments" posts are forcing us to reconsider the role of the blog in the age of social media.