In a curious trend, several recent technology-focused articles have adopted a minimalist approach, offering little more than a title and a link to the comments section on Hacker News. This approach suggests a shift in how technical discussions are being facilitated online, with authors seemingly prioritizing community engagement and external discourse over detailed original content.
One such article, titled "How to gain code execution on hundreds of millions of people and popular apps," immediately raises eyebrows. 
While the title promises insights into potentially widespread vulnerabilities, the actual content is nonexistent, simply directing readers to a Hacker News thread. This begs the question: Is the article simply a pointer to a pre-existing discussion, or an attempt to spark a new one?
Emacs and Tree-sitter: A Case of Shared Discussion
Similarly, the article "Emacs Tree-sitter custom highlighting" follows the same pattern. Instead of detailing the intricacies of custom syntax highlighting in Emacs using Tree-sitter, the author provides a link to the comments section. This approach might be beneficial for those already familiar with the topic and seeking community insights, but it leaves newcomers in the dark. It also raises the question of whether the "article" offers any unique value beyond aggregating existing discussions.
It's worth noting that this method could be an efficient way to share information and encourage debate on platforms like Hacker News. Instead of rewriting content already available, authors can simply point to relevant discussions. However, this strategy runs the risk of alienating readers who prefer more detailed, self-contained articles. 
As one commenter on a similar article stated, "Sometimes, a little context goes a long way."
The Complexities of Jet Engine Construction
Even the seemingly straightforward question posed by "Why it's so hard to build a jet engine" is relegated to the Hacker News comments. While the complexities of jet engine design and construction are undoubtedly vast and multifaceted, the lack of any introductory explanation within the article itself feels like a missed opportunity.
This approach may be driven by a desire to foster community engagement and leverage the collective knowledge of the Hacker News audience. 
However, it also highlights the growing reliance on external platforms for technical discourse and the diminishing role of traditional articles as standalone sources of information. Whether this trend is ultimately beneficial or detrimental to the tech community remains to be seen.
Ultimately, the success of this approach depends on the quality and accessibility of the discussions on Hacker News. If the comments section provides valuable insights and diverse perspectives, then these minimalist articles may serve as useful gateways to deeper exploration. However, if the discussions are fragmented, superficial, or hidden behind paywalls, then this trend may simply contribute to the fragmentation of online information.