Deaths Of Two Internet Bloggers Underline The Dangers of 24/7 Stress

[kelvin070]

They work long hours, often to the point of exhaustion. Many are paid by the piece - not garments, but blog posts. In the last few months, two of them have died suddenly. Other bloggers complain of weight loss or gain, sleep disorders, exhaustion and other maladies born of the nonstop strain of producing for a news and information cycle that is as always-on as the internet. For the obsessive, that can mean never leaving the house.

Blogging has been lucrative for some, but those on the lower rungs of business can earn as little as US$10 a post and, in some cases, are paid on a sliding bonus scale thats rewards success with a demand for even more work.

One of the most competitive categories is blogs about technology developments and news. They are in a vicious 24-hour competition to break company news, reveal new products and expose corporate gaffes. Bloggers for such sites are often paid for each post, though some are paid based on how many people read their material. Bloggers at some of the biggest sites say most writers earn about US$30,000 a year starting out and some can make as much as US$70,000. Speed can be of the essence. If a blogger is beaten by a milisecond, someone else's post on the subject will bring in the audience, the links and the bigger share of the ad revenue

[ChrisS]

Sad to hear about the deaths, any ideas of age? Ultimately it is down to the individual and if they decided not to work in another niche or whole other job then Im afraid they are their own downfall. A definite lesson about work/social balance.

[kelvin070]

They are middle-aged. Well I guess one has to strike a balance in everything one does

[Rob Manchester]

Very sad news

[domainzaar]

remember to take brakes and have some fun