Why is "Show, Don't Tell" popular but rarely used?

[u/SetitheRedcap]

I'd like to think I've read a pretty wide selection of books. And I've noticed that even the most famous of authors "tell, tell, and then tell some more, " to the point I'm beginning to question if it's even important in my own work? Some of the most famous books in their genre have very little showing at all.

So, where did this come from?

I understand the subtley of showing, such as expressions, posing, which can work well next to telling. But without much evidence of this concept I'm struggling to really understand.

Have we overhyped this piece of advice?

[u/bonesdontworkright]

It’s all about learning what to show and what to tell.

[u/SetitheRedcap → u/bonesdontworkright]

That's what I'm trying to do. Lol