Is Blogging the Sweat Shop of Technology?
Are you one of those world-class bloggers bit by the bug of competition and the rewards of being heard around the world? Bravo if you are — but please take care and remember that you are not a veal. Lift yourself up out of your chair and walk around the block every once in a while. And by all means take your daily aspirin. The world needs to continue to hear what you have to say!
Here’s a rather disturbing article from the New York times talking about the habits of bloggers and how some habits are leading to their mortality. Yikes! I quote: “Two weeks ago in North Lauderdale, Fla., funeral services were held for Russell Shaw, a prolific blogger on technology subjects who died at 60 of a heart attack. In December, another tech blogger, Marc Orchant, died at 50 of a massive coronary. A third, Om Malik, 41, survived a heart attack in December.”
This is essentially an article about pay by the piece blogging – people who are paid to blog. But it does make one consider one’s habits (especially as one sits continuously in front of one’s computer).
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I remember a story of an exchange student who studied till he dropped dead. The student lived off of Ramen Noodles while cramming for his exams.
Pleaseee! While I subscribe to the concept that you should eat right and exercise I don’t believe blogging is anymore hazardous then writing articles for magazines, or books. For that mater how about couch potatoes?
I could make the case that almost any activity leads to death if I unused only three examples. Jim Fixx was a fitness Guru who dies at a young age. So I would have to assume exercise causes death.
I will however take that aspirin.
I think this thoughtful column by ZDNet editor/blogger Dan Farber — who was interviewed for the NYT article but, ultimately, not included, puts it in perspective:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=8389
sorry, that was Larry Dignan
I’m getting my ZDnet people mixed up…
We’d have to fully agree with Harry on this one. Blogging has little to no difference as a profession than other writing jobs and the deaths of these particular bloggers should not be an indication that their profession caused their end…coincidence? Unless of course we see hundreds of major bloggers dropping like flies…
I’m going with the consensus here- people that choose sedentary jobs typically have high mortality rates – look at programmers – same thing- it’s not blogging per se- it is the the type of person that would choose it as a profession.
Hi everyone! Well, I knew posting this would get a response…and you all make complete sense.
I do agree that it is not blogging but the sedentary sitting in front of the computer – or sedentary activity in general that is the issue.
Patricia, thanks for giving the more even perspective of your article and link.
For the record, I was pretty amazed that the NYT would make this case as well. And, I knew that we’d get some pretty spirited reactions
I agree with you that it’s up to us to manage our physical activity and that the act of blogging is no more body or mind-numbing than other things out there.
From one blogger to another…I just wish us all well.
Jeanne
For all of us that have that “cushy job” sitting on our behinds all day.
Go by a pedometer.
It is my reminder to get away from desk every now and then. Stretch the legs and walk around the office. We have the best of both worlds. Just needs a bit of balance and practice.
Carol Doms
I read the article in the Times and worried once again that things seem to be a bit off balance. Anything can become an obsession or an addiction – not just blogging or checking the blackberry – but as long as there is a reward…
There are very few externally generated rewards for living a happy sane life. Perhaps this article is a good reminder that anything can be carried to an extreme, and it’s probably a good time for all of us to take a deep breath and a walk around the block.