I must admit it pleases me to be acknowledged. I think it is a normal desire for anyone who writes to be heard. But, though I have succumbed occasionally to disappointment in failing to change anybody's mind about any issue of any consequence, I do realize the futility of any such hope.
I have never witnessed it, neither in person nor in the media (including the Web). The only realistic expectation anyone can aspire to is acknowledgment from the choir or the anti-choir. Worshiped by the faithful or crucified. There is no middle ground, unless you count brainwashing or the selling of used cars, the latter being a specific instance of the former.
Well then, why do it? Wherefore a blogger's compensation? There are possibly as many answers as bloggers. For me, a suitable reason for blogging derives from a conversation I once had with a colleague. Many years ago, when I was exhilarated to have finally exited my quarter century of full-time studentship (kindergarten to doctoral dissertation), I asked a colleague why he continued to engage in our particular form of research, as opposed to one in a more academic setting (which he said he preferred). His response startled me — "It's a living", he said. I have come to the conclusion that is a good enough reason for most any occupation or avocation.
In my retirement, I find that I engage in various activities that most people with a similar background to mine engage in during their spare time, the only difference being that all of my time is now spare. So I read, work out, take care of bills, laundry, some shopping (wifey trusts me to buy certain staples that represent a significant portion of the total tonnage of our supermarket stuff), watch movies, Sopranos reruns (as well as some other HBO series), and blog. It's a living. I recommend it.
I have never witnessed it, neither in person nor in the media (including the Web). The only realistic expectation anyone can aspire to is acknowledgment from the choir or the anti-choir. Worshiped by the faithful or crucified. There is no middle ground, unless you count brainwashing or the selling of used cars, the latter being a specific instance of the former.
Well then, why do it? Wherefore a blogger's compensation? There are possibly as many answers as bloggers. For me, a suitable reason for blogging derives from a conversation I once had with a colleague. Many years ago, when I was exhilarated to have finally exited my quarter century of full-time studentship (kindergarten to doctoral dissertation), I asked a colleague why he continued to engage in our particular form of research, as opposed to one in a more academic setting (which he said he preferred). His response startled me — "It's a living", he said. I have come to the conclusion that is a good enough reason for most any occupation or avocation.
In my retirement, I find that I engage in various activities that most people with a similar background to mine engage in during their spare time, the only difference being that all of my time is now spare. So I read, work out, take care of bills, laundry, some shopping (wifey trusts me to buy certain staples that represent a significant portion of the total tonnage of our supermarket stuff), watch movies, Sopranos reruns (as well as some other HBO series), and blog. It's a living. I recommend it.
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