A Hacker News discussion asks if the emerging trend of llm.txt files—structured plain-text summaries of websites optimized for AI consumption—could become the web humans always wanted. Participants note that these files strip away JavaScript, ads, and clutter, leaving only content. Some argue that such minimalism mirrors early web ideals. The conversation reflects a growing desire for a faster, more readable web, even as AI agents increasingly become the primary consumers of online information.
There's a beautiful irony here. We spent decades bloating the web with trackers, pop-ups, and auto-playing videos. Now we're building a stripped-down version for machines. And we're jealous.
But maybe that's the point. llm.txt isn't just for AI. It's a reminder of what the web could be. Clean. Fast. Accessible. We don't need to wait for machines to get the web we deserve. We can demand it for ourselves. Or better yet, build it.