Blogging Can Just Be Stating the Obvious
The author reflects on the value of blogging about seemingly obvious observations, arguing that what feels obvious to one person can be a helpful insight to another. Blogging doesn't always require novel ideas; simply stating the obvious can connect with readers and make a difference.
Background
- Jim Nielsen is a web developer and designer who has written a long-running personal blog about building for the web, design systems, and the craft of software.
- This post argues that blogging doesn't need to offer novel insights or deep expertise — simply stating something obvious, clearly and publicly, has value because it helps readers who are earlier in their journey or who haven't articulated that thought yet.
- The piece pushes back against a common anxiety among writers: that their thoughts aren't original enough to publish. It reclaims blogging as a personal practice of thinking out loud, not a competitive content marketplace.
- This fits a broader trend in tech circles where experienced developers encourage "small, honest writing" as a counter to polished, SEO-optimized content — valuing clarity and usefulness over novelty.