8/6/07
Bloggers to Unionise?
In a surprising turn of events Birdwell is actually blogging in the traditional sense. Bloggers Want To Unionize popped out at me as I was scanning my local news. WTF--why--and how. It's not like bloggers work for any one--it's a hobby! Yes, some bloggers make a difference--they are important grassroots members. BUT it is a choice many make because it's something they enjoy or it's a cause they believe in. Why would it need to be unionised? Why would I want to restrict my speech and my design and my choice to use ads?
I goggled it and found an an interesting article from Forbes. It pretty much expounds on the news link found--but I am still puzzled. It makes no sense. You want health care--dude it's called private insurance. If it's too expensive well then get a paying job WITH health care.
Susie Madrak was quoted as saying "Blogging is very intense - physically, mentally," she said. "You're constantly scanning for news. You're constantly trying to come up with information that you think will mobilize your readers. In the meantime, you're sitting at a computer and your ass is getting wider and your arm and neck and shoulder are wearing out because you're constantly using a mouse."
I think "serious"* bloggers decry the use of hobby when it describes what they do. Sorry to have to say it but I don't think they understand what the word actually means.
Hobby- an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.
If used as a derogatory term--well then the someone (imaginary someone) has an issue in themselves and down deep feel that perhaps their blog ISN'T worth maintaining. Not saying it is of course--but one can only be offended if one has a sensitivity to the offense.
A very few get paid enough for their blogging to be able to support themselves--these people generation millions of hits because they are very talented writers, designers, and have their fingers on the pulse of what people want to read. Their income comes from two places: Ads or subscribers. Now if you blog for a company--I am not sure if you are a blogger--more like a content manager for said company. (But that's just me) If you want to be able to quit your job to blog--well you better start working on building a readership. Professional blogging (i.e. ads or subscriber-ship) is American entrepreneur-ship at it's best. Personally I would prefer Unions to keep their self interested noses out of it.
If it's legal protection that is desired--there are other ways (less restrictive
ways) to go about it.
* Personally I think "Serious" blogger take themselves too seriously and are elitists. Does a political blogger think knitting bloggers are not serious--because they don't get any information from it--but a knitter would. Furthermore what is a serious blogger--does serious mean designing your own website? Spending x amount of hours blogging? Is it content? Is it the amount of daily hits?
Let's talk about it...
Labels: blog, daily rant, politics
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OK, I guess I'm not a serious blog "reader" LOL because I didn't take time to click and read the links ... but I still think you're right. :-)
I am still not sure what a serious blogger is. I've been blogging since 1998 (and blogging here since 2007) and I serious? Mainly I think I have enough "personality" to think people care what I have to say. And that takes balls. Sometimes I want to be considered "serious" as in having a reader ship greater than 15...but with that comes hate mail and comment moderation. Do I really want the naysayers along with the adorers??
Shrug.
I am afraid of the over regulation of personal speech on the internet. The powers that be do not like it. Sometimes I wonder how much longer it'll be before our constitution is nothing but bird cage liner. (It's not just Bush--it's career politicians that think they know what's best for the people and those that let them)
