Perhaps we need to make knowledge difficult again

[oldernow]

In the spirit of these:

https://tilde.club/~oldernow/2024-05-10-20-24-05-perhaps-pure-text-is-the-best-walled-garden-of-all.txt
https://tilde.club/~oldernow/2024-05-10-20-57-39-the-textonly-revolution.txt

it hit me that while people have become wisely concerned
with the effect of "infinite scroll" on our psyche, their
faith in what is arguably the cornerstone of "the web"
prevents them from seeing that hypertext links aren't too
different than infinite scroll: they're infinite click.

Mr. Berners-Lee no doubt had the best of intentions, but
simply clicking to travel between collections of thoughts
is, well, *too* simple for animals whose growth is in
large part dependent on making efforts.

Whereas knowledge is one thing, *hard fought* knowledge
is at least an order of magnitude more.

So while I don't doubt increasing collective concerns
about links from a trust-ability point of view, I think
the bigger concern is how the ease of navigation between
collections of thoughts undermines their value.

In that context, I've decided to no longer create hypertext
links. In fact, I want to be as done with hypertext in
general as is possible without throwing any babies out
with it.

I don't want readers who arrive by way of a click, and
who are primarily focused on presentation. If they can't
do as much as copy and paste a link, they're likely too
stupid to understand what I'm saying anyway.

Similarly, I don't want readers who will only read my
screed if/when it looks pretty. Goodbye, Superficial
Suzies!

[D]

Post by oldernow
https://tilde.club/~oldernow/2024-05-10-20-24-05-perhaps-pure-text-is-the-best-walled-garden-of-all.txt
https://tilde.club/~oldernow/2024-05-10-20-57-39-the-textonly-revolution.txt
it hit me that while people have become wisely concerned
with the effect of "infinite scroll" on our psyche, their
faith in what is arguably the cornerstone of "the web"
prevents them from seeing that hypertext links aren't too
different than infinite scroll: they're infinite click.
Mr. Berners-Lee no doubt had the best of intentions, but
simply clicking to travel between collections of thoughts
is, well, *too* simple for animals whose growth is in
large part dependent on making efforts.
Whereas knowledge is one thing, *hard fought* knowledge
is at least an order of magnitude more.
So while I don't doubt increasing collective concerns
about links from a trust-ability point of view, I think
the bigger concern is how the ease of navigation between
collections of thoughts undermines their value.
In that context, I've decided to no longer create hypertext
links. In fact, I want to be as done with hypertext in
general as is possible without throwing any babies out
with it.
I don't want readers who arrive by way of a click, and
who are primarily focused on presentation. If they can't
do as much as copy and paste a link, they're likely too
stupid to understand what I'm saying anyway.

Oh got it! I thought for a moment you were done with links altogether! ;)
Cutting and pasting a link, I think I might be able to do that. ;)

Post by oldernow
Similarly, I don't want readers who will only read my
screed if/when it looks pretty. Goodbye, Superficial
Suzies!

Perhaps choosing your readers is as much good advice as the eternal
business advice of choosing your customers?

[oldernow]

Post by D

Post by oldernow
it hit me that while people have become wisely concerned
with the effect of "infinite scroll" on our psyche, their
faith in what is arguably the cornerstone of "the web"
prevents them from seeing that hypertext links aren't too
different than infinite scroll: they're infinite click.
Mr. Berners-Lee no doubt had the best of intentions, but
simply clicking to travel between collections of thoughts
is, well, *too* simple for animals whose growth is in
large part dependent on making efforts.
Whereas knowledge is one thing, *hard fought* knowledge
is at least an order of magnitude more.
So while I don't doubt increasing collective concerns
about links from a trust-ability point of view, I think
the bigger concern is how the ease of navigation between
collections of thoughts undermines their value.
In that context, I've decided to no longer create hypertext
links. In fact, I want to be as done with hypertext in
general as is possible without throwing any babies out
with it.
I don't want readers who arrive by way of a click, and
who are primarily focused on presentation. If they can't
do as much as copy and paste a link, they're likely too
stupid to understand what I'm saying anyway.

Oh got it! I thought for a moment you were done with links
altogether! ;) Cutting and pasting a link, I think I might
be able to do that. ;)

Well, someone reminded me that terminals can detect URLs
and make them clickable. I leverage that from time to time.

I've no idea why I cared at all. I read something, and it
suddenly seems important. Then I post about my take on it,
someone shoots me down immediately, and then I remember
how ridiculous all this bullshit is to begin with, and
feel extra foolish.

Post by D

Post by oldernow
Similarly, I don't want readers who will only read my
screed if/when it looks pretty. Goodbye, Superficial
Suzies!

Perhaps choosing your readers is as much good advice as
the eternal business advice of choosing your customers?

Again, like it really matters when it's actually almost
always 'reader', not 'readers'.... ;-)