Bill Hobb's announcement that he is re-adjusting his blogging priorities away from his personal blog to focus on family, career, and other consulting opportunities is both encouraging and perspicacious (and I do like that word). It is encouraging because I have wondered how in the world one stops blogging, particularly if there is an audience...and Bill has quite a large following. I suspect that Bill will neither abandon blogging nor will he actually stop blogging. He understands that there are people who value his skills and keen understanding of what blogs can do and (hopefully) he will demonstrate to the rest of us how to cash in on that experience and expertise. A Hobbs' book on blogs wouldn't surprise me in the least...I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
As for perspicaciousness, I know of only a few who understand the power of blogs the way Bill does. He also understands the commitment in time and energy to seek out facts and sources to back up his commentary (a trait missing in far too many blogs). That commitment isn't just a few minutes to type out random thoughts, but time (sometimes hours) to read numerous sources, gather supporting links, interview people, grab an occasional graphic, or insert a video clip, and THEN publish something engaging on the subject...knowing all along that there isn't a regular paycheck waiting as a reward for those efforts. There is purity in that process that gives good blogs their power and influence that I hope Bill's readers see regardless of whether they agree with him or not. I hope Bill's blog-vangelist message includes a heavy dose of that blog-pounding purity.
Chasing the Dragon's Tale began as a research project for me over a year ago as part of an independent study in graduate education. Academic projects (those for which a grade is assigned) generally come to a conclusion (let's hope!). When CDTD is no longer a project and reaches any appearance of work-without-pay...I am sure that I will do my share of reflecting on how worthwhile this will be to continue or whether it is time to take that experience and do something perhaps more worthwhile with it.
I give Bill the credit (blame *grin*) for getting me into this mess...and I will be watching to see where he carries his torch as he ventures into new territory.
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