> In computing, we have pretty much come to accept the idea that smaller is better. The smaller the features on a chip, the more transistors we can place, the more computation can be done.
This doesn't actually help the reader understand the contents of the article. At best, it tries to make the reader care about the article by drawing a vacuous comparison to a generic piece of conventional wisdom.
There's a similar thing going on when I try to Google for recommendations/reviews for, say, an exercise app. Very often, the article will begin with just absolutely useless words like
> Research shows that people who exercise are happier and healthier. But this fast-paced modern life doesn't always make it easy! There's just so many things to get done. How can we make sure we're exercising as efficiently as possible? Workout apps! But which ones? Let's take a look at some of the different workout apps available in the app store.
Is this sort of filler material being added because writers are getting paid by the word (honest question), or is it actually demanded by the editors of the websites because it attracts more readers? Or is it some sort of SEO thing?
Just trying to understand this phenomenon.