Paul GrahamDec 19, 2022

I'm in the middle of writing a new essay, and there was one awkward paragraph that I just couldn't seem to fix. Eventually I realized it was because the underlying idea was wrong, and that the real solution was to delete it.

This often happens. Trying to make the sentences perfect is not as shallow an undertaking as it sounds. It also exposes the bad ideas.

Show threadAndrew AntesDec 19, 2022
@paulg engineers tend to hyperfocus on fixing things before considering whether said thing is worth keeping around in the first place. Adding by removing is a great skill to hone, probably especially in writing.
Show threadverybadvoodoo

@paulg @descartes

You can’t tell if something’s worth keeping around until it’s been boiled down to its essence.

You have to fix it before you can throw it away.

Dec 20, 2022 at 4:03pmWeb