seems that most posts dedicate first 1-n paragraphs for unnecessary background and/or rehashing of the title.
it's as if writers feel the need to ease into the topic as if it was a bucket of ice water for the reader to avoid being startled by
It’s actually just a mark of bad writing. Lots of books do it too, but it’s less common coz you get a lot of practice before you attempt a book.
First rule of good writing: Start the story as late as you can get away with. Preferably right before the punchline.
Compare:
1) I woke up that morning, showered, put on my shoes, and went on a hike. It was a beautiful day the sun was shining the bees were buzzing. I walked for 30 minutes when I happened upon a bear in the road.
2) Shit, is that a bear!? I was on a hike in the Rocky mountains in the middle of nowhere and there’s this bear rught in front of me. Now what do i do?
Ok I’m not doing these examples justice but think of your favorite stories: Do they start with the action or with the long wind up? In modern storytelling the windup usually comes during/after the action as backstory.
A counter example are horror movies and thrillers where you want to build suspense first.
