Dear Developer, the Web Isn't About You
summary
Argues the web is simple, robust and is breaking because teams build heavy JavaScript-first sites instead of content-first pages; cites an average basic page size of 2.5MB, a study that 53% abandon over 3s, and 12s loads on typical 3G devices like a Moto G4. Recommends slowing down, using the Rule of Least Power, server-rendered HTML first, progressive enhancement (matchMedia to gate JS), real accessibility and field testing, and prioritising users over resume-worthy tooling.
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chapters (21)
- 0:00Introduction
- 2:56Web as simple invention
- 8:47HTML’s simplicity
- 10:09Commercialization of open web
- 11:36iPhone’s lesson on design
- 13:54Web’s decline today
- 15:58Performance and accessibility failures
- 17:45JavaScript over-engineering
- 20:18Most sites are content
- 21:44Inverted pyramid dangers
- 22:50Excluding users
- 23:34Moving at an appropriate speed instead of breaking things
- 25:38Agility and working products
- 26:24Coders on pedestal
- 27:48Web as chaos myth
- 29:15Industry craves complexity
- 30:00Rule of Least Power
- 31:06Designing progressively from the simplest approach
- 33:41Test with real users
- 36:40Front-end developers’ role
- 37:22Summary
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