It’s only a little way back in the Web’s history that thought-leaders
were pondering whether blogs would ever be more than a fad or just a
cool new way to interact.
According to the US media, the easy-to-use formats have since become so
immersing and powerful that their authors are fast becoming the victims
of their global success.
And unfortunately, far too literally: fatal heart attacks suffered by
two web diarists Russell Shaw, 60, and Marc Orchant, 50 were linked
yesterday to the stress of their blogging careers.
The New York Times also said that a “growing” number of entrepreneurs,
“are toiling under great physical and emotional stress” of having to
constantly update their websites.
Many high-profile bloggers complain of weight loss or gain, sleep
disorders and exhaustion, arising from the strain of composing content
for an ‘always-on’ audience.
“To be sure, there is no official diagnosis of death by blogging, and
the premature demise of two people obviously does not qualify as an
epidemic,” the NYT said.
“There is also no certainty that the stress of the work contributed to
their deaths. But friends and family of the deceased, and fellow
information workers, say those deaths have them thinking about the
dangers of their work style.”
Problematically for the health of bloggers, some Web publishers only
pay per thread, while independent bloggers typically feel obliged to
post more just to keep sponsors or advertisers.
Also to optimise their profit, and reputation, bloggers are known to
pull all-night sessions sitting at their desks, reorganising content,
tracking their progress and staying competitive.
In the technology and internet industries – which Mr Shaw and Mr
Orchant served – the pressures on bloggers are immense, given the
break-neck speed of new developments.
Apr 8, 2008
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