Quotes

it’s like word processing in public
like it doesn’t stop
waiting til you have something presentable can literally add months to your web development cycle. Nothing to make you change your pages like some feedback on incomplete work!

the sooner you put up your pages, the sooner your friends and family and the like-minded can link to you.

So how do they do it? Do they sit down at their desk – very consciously – and take the time to write? You better believe they do. Do they write without worrying too much about what others might think or how polished their posts are? For sure.

Be authentic. Talk about what you’re passionate about. But also, don’t be boring. “But I am boring” you’re probably thinking. No, you’re not. You‘re only boring if you only talk about one single goddamn thing all day, every day. I have read way too many blogs, by developers, where they only talk about web development. Which is fine, I guess. But like in real life, if you only talk about the same thing over and over and over again, you’ll end up alienating the people around you. So mix it up. Post a picture every now and then, talk about a book you read or a movie you watched or a place you visited. Talk about an interesting conversation. And don’t be afraid to put things out there and to interact with other people.

Go down rabbit holes until you come across an interesting quiet page. It takes time and effort. It’s easier just to doomscroll on Twitter. But the effort is worthwhile. As you gather more of the quiet web into your readership, you will notice the negative effects of the traditional loud web more. And once you get used to the quiet web, you may never want to go back.

Gardening acknowledges the life of a project is out of your control. Something you can guide, and give suggestions to, but eventually something that will thrive best when given good conditions and space.

Timely not real-time. Rhythm not random. Moderation not excess. Knowledge not information. These are a few of the many characteristics of the Slow Web. It’s not so much a checklist as a feeling, one of being at greater ease with the web-enabled products and services in our lives.

You’re not smart. You’re not a scientist. You’re not a doctor. You’re not even a fulltime employee. Where did your life go so wrong?