I think this is one of the main benefits I find on HN. Not only does this give me an intelligent, well educated community to talk to, but most often the community shares my hobbies and interests.
I think being able to write is extremely important, but I think the rhetoric behind writing is just as important, if not more important. When you write in a community or forum, like HN, citing your sources and defending your arguments is more important than on a blog, because if you don't, your voice simply won't be heard as loudly.
Contrast this with clickbait blogs, or blogs that simply write for shock, it because clear that having a humorous or convincing writing style is almost as important as being able to argue your point, or convey a complicated idea. However, in my mind I find the latter a far more important skill in the long run.
So yes, software engineers should write, but also don't forget to do some 'code' reviews.
I think being able to write is extremely important, but I think the rhetoric behind writing is just as important, if not more important. When you write in a community or forum, like HN, citing your sources and defending your arguments is more important than on a blog, because if you don't, your voice simply won't be heard as loudly.
Contrast this with clickbait blogs, or blogs that simply write for shock, it because clear that having a humorous or convincing writing style is almost as important as being able to argue your point, or convey a complicated idea. However, in my mind I find the latter a far more important skill in the long run.
So yes, software engineers should write, but also don't forget to do some 'code' reviews.