The author argues that web developers should stop implementing custom browser features like scrolling, link navigation, text selection, password fields, and date pickers. Custom implementations break familiar user behavior, cause accessibility issues, and create inconsistent experiences across websites.
David Gasquez argues that "slop"—low-effort, AI-generated content—degrades online spaces and should be kept private. He criticizes the growing trend of publishing thoughtless AI outputs as public work, calling for higher standards and responsibility in content creation.
The article argues against the common security advice "don't roll your own crypto," showing how it's inconsistently applied. It demonstrates that many widely-used cryptographic systems do involve custom implementations, and that the real issue lies in avoiding known vulnerable constructs like ECB mode or weak random number generators, not in writing original code entirely from scratch.
Developers and non-technical coworkers often struggle to communicate because developers communicate through written instructions while others rely on conversation. The solution is to translate technical explanations into digestible, audience-appropriate language and to repeat information multiple times, as repetition helps people gradually understand complex concepts.
The article argues that the advice "don't roll your own" regarding cryptography is not about discouraging learning or hobbyist experimentation, but about cautioning against deploying self-made cryptographic systems in production environments where security vulnerabilities could have serious consequences.
This work explores the shift from individual responsibility to collective support systems, examining how communities and institutions can alleviate the burden of self-reliance in modern society.