I think there can be multiple benefits for apparently redundant writing:
Bringing more attention and interest to a topic, creating more space for discussing it
Having alternative write ups that are more accessible/attractive to some people, because people have different preferences over writing structure, styles, lengths, etc.
Identifying areas of disagreement or things to refine, red teaming
For your own understanding, to learn more about the topic and get feedback from others
But I do expect diminishing marginal returns in the benefits from others reading your work the more “redundant” it is. If you’re aiming for impact through influencing others with your writing, you should keep in mind whose behaviour you want to influence, what you could accomplish by doing so, and how to best do that with your writing.
“Having alternative write ups that are more accessible/attractive to some people, because people have different preferences over writing structure, styles, lengths, etc.”
This is an interesting benefit I hadn’t thought of yet I find myself encountering this often when I jump from website to website while learning something. Sometimes, as @Alexander David mentioned above, “the way you express it, the way you summarize it, the particular point you emphasize, etc” bears some importance.
I’m glad you made this point because it brought to mind some of the books I’d read in the past that reiterate the same physics or pop-psychology lessons in different tones or wording, but the reading is no less enjoyable and some lessons bear repeating too.
I think there can be multiple benefits for apparently redundant writing:
Bringing more attention and interest to a topic, creating more space for discussing it
Having alternative write ups that are more accessible/attractive to some people, because people have different preferences over writing structure, styles, lengths, etc.
Identifying areas of disagreement or things to refine, red teaming
For your own understanding, to learn more about the topic and get feedback from others
But I do expect diminishing marginal returns in the benefits from others reading your work the more “redundant” it is. If you’re aiming for impact through influencing others with your writing, you should keep in mind whose behaviour you want to influence, what you could accomplish by doing so, and how to best do that with your writing.
This is an interesting benefit I hadn’t thought of yet I find myself encountering this often when I jump from website to website while learning something. Sometimes, as @Alexander David mentioned above, “the way you express it, the way you summarize it, the particular point you emphasize, etc” bears some importance.
I’m glad you made this point because it brought to mind some of the books I’d read in the past that reiterate the same physics or pop-psychology lessons in different tones or wording, but the reading is no less enjoyable and some lessons bear repeating too.
Thank you,
Aaron