The strange phenomenon of the great god

Don't Take It Personally

I often see certain individuals revered as community gurus, only to discover glaring errors in their videos and articles. It can be quite unsettling, wondering how these so-called experts hold such positions of authority. Are people really only paying attention to whether someone is on the pedestal rather than scrutinizing the details? Is it really a matter of, “Oh, this person is on the altar, let’s worship them”?

Here, I want to emphasize that this discussion focuses on the prevalence of content riddled with mistakes, rather than simply discussing simplistic content. Some individuals might concentrate on beginner tutorials, which, although simple, can be clear and easy to understand, allowing newcomers to learn painlessly. This is a good thing, and I believe the community should encourage such efforts. I have nothing against courses that charge tuition; just like open-source projects that accept donations, it’s not a given that open-source should be free.

More experienced engineers might not pay much attention to these individuals, but what about the beginners? They might be dazzled and end up purchasing a seemingly comprehensive course, only to realize they’ve wasted money on something that didn’t deliver. Of course, there are "truly skilled" tech experts out there, but what percentage of them are there?

This is something I feel strongly about—within the software community (at least online), the standards for technical expertise seem to be much lower than we might assume.

While technical prowess is not necessarily the key to success in community-building, often it's more about personality traits and marketing tactics. If someone were to launch a course titled "Master Frontend Development in Two to Three Years," who would buy it? It’s almost a joke—two to three years? Ideally, you’d want results in a month, a week, or even better, within three days. In this environment where speed is prioritized over quality, it’s no surprise that courses promising to teach frontend, backend, or specific frameworks in just a few weeks are the most profitable. People love to spend money on these.

I’ve been reflecting on this phenomenon lately, but after receiving some feedback from friends on Twitter, I think I’ve come to understand it better. If everyone preferred the hardcore, technical approach, then writing papers would surely be lucrative. The reality, however, is that once you have the technical skills, marketing becomes essential. Without it, you’re essentially left with nothing, just watching others dominate the market.

Recently, I’ve been following some YouTube channels that focus on explaining principles. Their view counts are relatively low, lacking flashy graphics or feel-good content. They earnestly discuss concepts and draw diagrams for clarity. Surprisingly, I’ve found that this group of YouTubers has cultivated their own audience, with viewers who are already knowledgeable and engaged.

Eventually, I realized that this pure passion for technology can shine and attract attention. Although the audience might not be mainstream, it may draw in people who, like you, love programming and have a keen interest in specific technologies.

Marketing doesn't transform something that requires experience and expertise into an overnight success. Would you trust a pilot who has only had three days of training? Would you eat food prepared by a chef who has only cooked for three days? Similarly, would you trust a website built by someone who has only completed a few months of training?

Programming, flying, cooking, or learning an instrument all require a significant accumulation of experience to reach a certain level of proficiency. Otherwise, wouldn't all the engineers out there just be slacking off? Some might be, but most have gone through a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, while you're seeking shortcuts for the same outcomes.

“If you can do it, why don’t you try?”

Yes, I’m currently trying to release some resources, articles, and videos, striving to achieve my ideal vision. The enthusiasm for technology must continue.

I don’t want to criticize any so-called "gods" in the community; after all, everyone is sharing with good intentions. I just think the quality of technical content could certainly be improved.

I have a clear understanding of my goals and position; creating beginner-level content clearly isn’t suitable for me. I can’t explain what a variable is or what JavaScript is in an easily understandable way; I can only discuss concepts like compilation and syntax in a hardcore manner. While my audience may be small, this is the technical community I want to see.

Postscript

https://t.co/CF8phtbTNx

— Kalan (@kalanyei) October 31, 2020

1. This article received some responses after it was posted on Twitter as a way to express my feelings, which I hadn’t anticipated. Some comments prompted me to reevaluate my thoughts.
2. zonble responded that if sharing had to be error-free, no one would dare to share anything. I completely agree with this notion and believe that sharing doesn’t need to be perfect. However, I also hope that when people share, others will step up to correct errors rather than respond with negativity. Additionally, it’s important not to assume that the opinions of certain prominent figures are infallible. Sometimes, when someone raises doubts, they are met with a swarm of attacks.
3. If you want to step out of the tech circle and spread your ideas to the public, marketing is essential. As long as it’s honest and not exaggerated, it should be encouraged.
4. When I mention that I can only discuss a topic in hardcore terms, it means I struggle to use analogies to explain concepts, like saying “a variable is like a tire.” I can’t come up with such metaphors, but for beginners, appropriate analogies can aid understanding.

Thank you all for your feedback. Long live Twitter!