On Taste
The article explores the evolution of personal taste, distinguishing between mere preference and true good taste rooted in understanding and context. It argues that good taste emerges from deep engagement and the ability to recognize quality beyond personal liking, often aligning with but differing from expertise. The author uses examples like Willie Nelson’s guitar to illustrate how repeated refinement and attention to detail cultivate authenticity and lasting value.
- ▪Good taste is not just having preferences but recognizing quality and intention behind creative choices.
- ▪Taste and expertise are related but distinct—one is about recognition, the other about production.
- ▪Willie Nelson’s guitar, Trigger, exemplifies how personal taste and history shape the value and sound of an object over time.
- ▪Algorithms limit exposure to diverse experiences, making it harder to develop unique or informed taste.
- ▪Brands often prioritize profit over quality, leading to a decline in product integrity as they scale for mass appeal.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
On Taste Last updated on 1st of May, 2026 // Listen for system preference changes if (window.matchMedia) { window .matchMedia("(prefers-color-scheme: dark)") .addEventListener("change", (event) => { if (!localStorage.getItem("theme")) { document.documentElement.setAttribute( "data-theme", event.matches ? "dark" : "light", ); } }); } I’ve been refining this blog’s design for two decades. With each new version, I get a little better at knowing what I want. Turns out, my designs tend to get simpler with time. At this point, it’s all typography and negative space. I got better at knowing what I value and what I can take away. Uncluttering brings joy. Maybe that’s a deeply human thing? Obsession and Preference Spend enough time with anything, and you’ll develop strong opinions about it.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Hacker News (Newest).
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