[Karellen]

> But why it isn't markdown? What does [Gemtext] add that markdown does not have?

I think that's the wrong question. Based on what I've read of Gemini, its focus is on simplification. The question the Gemini authors are interested in would be "What does Gemtext remove from Markdown?"

To which the most obvious answer, as you point out, is "HTML".

As for "Why not use markdown with the HTML elements taken out?" - does the world really need another markdown variant that's less capable than the current lowest common denominator?

I would argue it's actually a better idea to just call it a different format altogether, rather than attempting to fragment the markdown landscape even further. It also helps to forestall the question of "Why not add HTML support, like all other markdown renderers?" If adding HTML support is an anti-goal (which I believe it is) then making it so that adding that support requires someone to actually implement an HTML renderer puts up more of a barrier than leaving the door open for someone to just switch out the markdown engine for one that already does.