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Comment by tpoacher | Hacker News Reader

I get the technical merits, and that they would appeal to places like HN in particular, but I'm getting really tired of the whole "Project X, in language Y" meme (typically with a higher emphasis on Y than on X, and no indication why this even remotely matters in the slightest).

Imagine other professions doing it:

- I've written a new symphony ... IN SIBELIUS!!!

- I've published a new patent on artificial heart valves ... USING MICROSOFT WORD!!!

- I've discussed with our local parliamentary representative a new legislation on copyright law ... USING MY SAMSUNG GALAXY!

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I think I understand your point. But, maybe, what you are missing is that the "language Y" is the reason behind multiple "competitive advantages" and cool features behind "Project X".

For instance, Common Lisp is really introspectable. This is the reason why Nyxt is so good for live hackability (inspecting and changing things on the fly).

See the lecture below on the connection between the architecture of Nyxt, the language (Common Lisp), and the features:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUujk1vjnYM&t=20s

Obs.: the lecture was after Nyxt 1.0 and before Nyxt 2.0 release. Take into account that Nyxt is close to releasing 3.0 version.

Also:

https://atlas.engineer/technical-article/why-lisp.org

Yeah, I get that. But that's exactly what I mean. If you're going to focus on Y instead of X, make it obvious why this is relevant. If not, one of two things happens: 1) it sounds irrelevant and gives the impression it's just fanboyism, or worse, 2) it effectively says "if you're not in the inner circle enough to know and be excited for the Y more than the X already, then I don't have to tell you and this isnt for you."

Which means you as the interested reader now have to go spend your precious time learning all about Y independently, from scratch, to figure out whether it is in fact important in this very specific case, or if it is just fanboyism.

Very annoying and disrespectful to an otherwise interested reader. Either state your call to action up front and why Lisp is a feature, or leave it out entirely and focus on the product.

(not having a go at nyxt specifically btw, just frustrated at the trend with this kind of titles.)

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