The Religion of Speed
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Speed has become a moral position that protects bad work by mistaking motion for progress.
The author argues that 'moving fast' has become an institutional narcotic that lets people feel busy without requiring judgment. Real speed comes from understanding the work, not from skipping thought. Slowing down to ask load-bearing questions-what are we actually producing, what breaks, what do we pretend not to know-prevents haste, which is the emotional relief of action without clarity. The bill for rushed work comes due as broken systems, burned-out teams, and operational scar tissue. The better work is calmer: it moves and ships, but does not confuse panic with seriousness.
What commenters are saying
Commenters broadly agree with the article, sharing personal experiences and maxims. Several note that winning often means being a good second or last, citing Google and Facebook as examples. One camp argues the problem starts at the top: incompetent leaders hide behind imitation and rush anyway. A former soldier shares the mantra 'slow is smooth, smooth is fast' from training. A commenter asks how an IC can resist speed pressure; replies suggest accepting it, trying to change the culture, or leaving. Some debate whether first-mover advantage exists, with mixed examples.