Here’s my advice, if I may. If you know that someone’s already written on the topic, but you’re still hesitating as to whether to write it or not—instead of abandoning it without a second thought—then I assume there’s something that you feel is still worth writing; as you say, “I acknowledge that I might have some novel ideas and something to add.” Or perhaps the way you look at the issue, the way you express it, the way you summarize it, the particular point you emphasize, etc.
I mean surely, if you really thought that someone else has already written something that sufficiently matches what you’re about to say, you wouldn’t even be asking this question, no?
As for the sense of “overwhelm,” no I don’t feel it. I appreciate well-written posts, but as far as I could tell, this forum’s guidelines do not include any requirements to either “refraining from already-discussed topics” or “making brilliant posts all the time.” So why self-impose further requirements? You have ideas, so you should express them within the bounds set by this platform. Go for it!
Thank you! You add an important point which is that the packaging of the ideas matters. I think what you said here is more or less the same idea “the way you look at the issue, the way you express it, the way you summarize it, the particular point you emphasize, etc.” This phrasing of packaging isn’t my concept but rather comes from the author Mark Manson. I’m glad this reminded me of it.
Yours was an encouraging response, I appreciate it greatly.
Here’s my advice, if I may. If you know that someone’s already written on the topic, but you’re still hesitating as to whether to write it or not—instead of abandoning it without a second thought—then I assume there’s something that you feel is still worth writing; as you say, “I acknowledge that I might have some novel ideas and something to add.” Or perhaps the way you look at the issue, the way you express it, the way you summarize it, the particular point you emphasize, etc.
I mean surely, if you really thought that someone else has already written something that sufficiently matches what you’re about to say, you wouldn’t even be asking this question, no?
As for the sense of “overwhelm,” no I don’t feel it. I appreciate well-written posts, but as far as I could tell, this forum’s guidelines do not include any requirements to either “refraining from already-discussed topics” or “making brilliant posts all the time.” So why self-impose further requirements? You have ideas, so you should express them within the bounds set by this platform. Go for it!
Hi Alexander,
Thank you! You add an important point which is that the packaging of the ideas matters. I think what you said here is more or less the same idea “the way you look at the issue, the way you express it, the way you summarize it, the particular point you emphasize, etc.” This phrasing of packaging isn’t my concept but rather comes from the author Mark Manson. I’m glad this reminded me of it.
Yours was an encouraging response, I appreciate it greatly.