So I decided to write a response instead.
Useful content will have to wait 😄
I actually agree with many of the points in the original article — especially around learning fundamentals. I just have a different perspective shaped by a different kind of work.
Let me start with a small disclaimer: I’ve written a lot — and I mean a lot — of handcrafted CSS in my life. Entire design systems. In fact, I got my first job in IT mostly thanks to my CSS skills, because my programming skills at the time were… let’s say “a work in progress” 😉
There was even a period when I made extra money building simple websites for clients. People literally paid me for delivering clean, aesthetic CSS.
So in theory, I should be the first person to defend handcrafted CSS and criticize Tailwind for polluting HTML.
And yet… I’m not.
Despite all its flaws, I love Tailwind. Deeply, sincerely, and yes — unapologetically.
Because it gives us something incredibly valuable in real-world development: speed and predictability.