Why still write articles to teach JavaScript?

I have been thinking to start blogging so that I can add value, help others just like internet helped me to become full stack developer in JavaScript. However, every time I want to write a new article on JavaScript, I could not, knowing that lots of people has already written awesome articles about same topic, feels like I am trying to re-invent the wheel. So my questions is, If you write article on same topic that many has already written, are you still adding value?

Comments

[Ihor Khomiak]

When we add new article, or write new book, or upload new YouTube video, we usually assume that somebody has already produced the same or at least similar thing we just posted. And it is not related only to tech content.
But anyway the fact remains - we do not gonna to surprise everybody with our super unique article. The main goal is to remind each other about already existing and known things, share insights, ask useful questions and raise constructive discussions.

[Watheq Alshowaiter]

• You could add articles on libraries, frameworks, and solving your own problems. There are infinite possibilities to benefit others by these technical details.
• You can also make your articles for your future, we always forget things and your notes may help others as well.
• Every one has his own thoughts, experience, and tune. don't afraid to write your opinions and welcome discussing them bravely. Articles are not simple facts, they have something from their writers, and readers will prefer some articles over others. let's keep simple tech facts for documentations.

[seya]

For me, purpose of writing articles is to deepen my understanding by putting into words.
It would depend on what you expect by writing article, but I think you don't have to try to add new value and just write for yourself, and if that benefits to others, that is a bonus

[Odai Athamneh]

A lot of good content is paywalled as well. So there's value in creating freely available content.

[Kaushal Joshi]

I was having similar thoughts when I started blogging.

• Am I expert enough to talk about this?
• But someone has already written/recorded something about this!
• What if my information is wrong? What will other people say?!

But, one day, I started writing blogs and now I have no plans of looking back.

Yes, my articles are not perfect and don't have a huge engagement but I am improving my technnical as well as writing skills as I go. This helps me learn deeply since I have to do research before publishing an article!

My advice is,

Just start. You will figure everything out later!

When you are writing, you are adding your unique prespective based on your skillset, experience and learnings. It makes your article different from any other article written on the same topic.

There is a famous quote from Stanley Kubrick - my favorite film director that resonates with our condition, I will put it here:

Everything has already been done. every story has been told every scene has been shot. it’s our job to do it one better.

[official_dulin]

So try to write unique content.

[Rene Rubalcava]

A long time ago, I read somewhere that your blog could just be a self-documenting learning experience. My old blog posts are horrible, but I learned a lot.

Plus, and this is from experience, you may think you know a topic/subject, but you'd be surprised what you may not understand when you try to explain it to others by writing about it. Teaching, conveying a topic is one of the best ways to improve your own learning experience. So why not publish that and share it with others. Worst case scenario, they don't read it, you already got your value from it and that's a win!

[Muhammad Shahbaz Manzoor]

Thanks man, this helps. So yeah I do want to help and add value, that is exactly where I was stuck; why write when everything is already written? Clearly won't be adding value. But I understand now (at least I think I do :D ) its about writing in your unique way with lots of real world examples, adding value by putting more effort and teaching not just the concept but your experience along with it.

[Conan]

Teaching is learning. Regurgitating what you already know helps solidify your knowledge, and at the same time you might catch someone who needs to hear the lesson the way you learned it.

[Matt Ellen-Tsivintzeli]

I'm sure that's some of it. If you can be today's dev.to article on === or whatever entry level topic, then maybe you can encourage people to read your other stuff.