Keeping a "Cool Head" When Reading Blogs

The Issue

Blogs, or articles sharing knowledge on personal websites, social media, forums... are becoming increasingly popular. Part of it is due to the increasing number of people writing blogs, and the other part is the increasing number of readers. People like reading blogs, in my opinion, because of their timeliness: they are concise and always up-to-date with technology. Sometimes, just by reading a blog post, you can solve a problem right away instead of searching through documentation.

On the other hand, reading such posts can sometimes be risky and requires you to keep a "cool head" while contemplating. Today's post is my perspective on why reading blogs needs to be done with caution. Therefore, I will address the question: should you read my blog or not!

Why Should You Keep a Cool Head When Reading Blogs?

The first thing to note is authenticity. Most blog posts come from individuals, and no matter the purpose, it is clear that the knowledge presented comes from one perspective and it is difficult for you to determine its accuracy. I'm not saying that all blog posts are inaccurate, but I want to emphasize that they mostly reflect the author's personal viewpoint. If you are familiar with the author or the author is a reputable figure in the writing field, then you can trust their information; otherwise, you should be cautious.

Most blog posts do not provide enough knowledge. This means that the information in a blog post is not enough when compared to the actual knowledge mentioned in the post. Typically, blog posts aim to introduce or provide basic-advanced usage instructions, configuration settings, error fixes... These types of posts are relatively short and allow readers to quickly grasp the information. However, they can also create a sense of laziness, making you reluctant to dig deeper or assume that you already know everything about the technology, when in fact, the knowledge is just the tip of the iceberg. Therefore, if you have time, you should explore the knowledge further through other articles or on the official website.

You might not believe it, but being "addicted" to reading blogs consumes a lot of time. The average time it takes to read a blog post ranges from a few minutes to half an hour. If you spend time reading additional suggested posts or verifying their accuracy, it will take even more time. Being addicted to reading blogs is similar to being addicted to social media, always wanting to read new posts, occasionally opening them to see what's new, unintentionally impeding your ability to concentrate. In conclusion, manage your time wisely, avoid letting reading blogs affect your work or life.

Some Notes to Avoid the "Traps" of Reading

When reading blogs, instead of blindly trusting, be skeptical of what is presented in the blog post. Remember that no one can verify its accuracy except you. If a blog post includes additional reference materials, the "credibility" increases slightly. However, you should also read the references to see if the author fully understands their meaning.

Reading blogs is sometimes about exploring "keywords", keywords that help us discover new knowledge. For example, sometimes I read a blog post out of curiosity about whether the post mentions a new tool or something new. I read to see what the author wants to convey. If I find the topic interesting, I will study it in more depth. Sometimes, from one blog post, a whole new learning path opens up.

Develop a critical thinking mindset when reading a blog post. Try to think that the post is not correct and find ways to prove it. In the process, you will learn more related knowledge about the issue.

Don't trust everything the author says, just because they have more experience than you doesn't mean everything they say is correct. Sometimes what they say is information passed on from someone else or just an opinion that is difficult to prove its accuracy. For me, reading blogs is simply finding "keywords" and then proving whether they are true or false.

Finally, the most reliable source is technical specifications or the official documentation of the tool. If possible, you should take the time to explore the documentation of the tool.

Should You Read My Blog?

My blog is a collection of notes based on practical experience in work and life. Many articles reflect my personal perspective, while others are translations or summaries based on materials that I have taken notes on and compiled to make it more easily accessible for everyone. The target audience of my blog is experienced programmers who are seeking new knowledge. However, I don't want to limit myself to technical topics only in each blog post, so that it can be easily accessible to a wider audience, to different branches of the IT industry. Because for me, a programmer is not just about coding.

In addition, I not only write about programming but also aim to inspire readers. Every profession has its own struggles, and sometimes what you need is not just specialized knowledge but simply a "fitting" article. Reading such articles is like "scratching the itch". For example, if someone often writes easy-to-read articles, I will read them. It's as simple as that :D.

With each blog post, my goal is not to provide absolute accurate information, but to encourage readers to explore deeper through the "keywords" mentioned in the posts. Whenever a concept needs to be attached, I ask for permission and add references so that readers are aware of them. Sometimes I'm afraid of making mistakes when writing because knowledge is infinite, so if you find any mistakes in any of my posts, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm always ready to listen!

Conclusion

Blogs are like snack packs with a variety of flavors and deliciousness, but they quickly run out and sometimes cause health issues. Reading blogs is like eating a snack pack, you will quickly feel the delicious taste, but it usually doesn't last long and doesn't make you full. Therefore, be "mindful" when enjoying it.