Comments on: Bloggers Take Care! Some Are Writing ’til They Drop!

By: JoAnna Brandi

JoAnna Brandi — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:43:23 +0000

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.

By: Carol Doms

Carol Doms — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:34:51 +0000

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

By: Jeanne Bliss

Jeanne Bliss — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:41:51 +0000

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

By: Real Estate Blogs

Real Estate Blogs — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:24:32 +0000

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.

By: Search Engine Optimization Journal

Search Engine Optimization Journal — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:40:03 +0000

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…

By: patricia

patricia — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:14:51 +0000

sorry, that was Larry Dignan
I’m getting my ZDnet people mixed up…

By: patricia

patricia — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:13:46 +0000

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

By: Harry Hallman

Harry Hallman — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:41:45 +0000

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.

By: Levon

Levon — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:39:43 +0000

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.