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Ask HN: Why are there fewer non-tech personal blogs? (athletes', architects')

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Ask HN: Why are there fewer non-tech personal blogs? (athletes', architects')

#1
As far as I could read, there seems to be very few individual blogs unlike a developer's or programmer's one. In my country, about 70% of population use Facebook everyday (which have already quite problematic). There are short and long posts from electricians or from a local chef which I and/or many people enjoy reading. But the obvious problem is these posts are behind the walled-garden as they don't have personal websites (am thinking about creating one soon).

Although the web seems to be easier for posting knowledgeable essays compare to 2000s, why are there fewer personal websites and some recent human knowledge (opinions ...) are behind wall-garden?

It's quite easy for a tech-savvy guy to start running a jamstack in no time. But is that becoming really easy for an accountant or a barista? to share their experience as easy as hitting tweet button or What's on your mind textarea?

Re: Ask HN: Why are there fewer non-tech personal blogs? (athletes', architects')

#3

In my country there is at least 10x political blogs than technical ones. They're using local simplistic blog platforms (usually hosted by news sites) that let you have your own third level domain.

I see. Having your own third level (or) subdomain with file hosting seems to be better than walled-garden. Let me ask the same question => why are there fewer posts about individually motivated essays rather than SEO (or political blogs)?

Making money from blog is not a first priority (making money by selling subscriptions or teaching courses is completely ok for readers, imao as long as the writer is motivated for sharing)

Re: Ask HN: Why are there fewer non-tech personal blogs? (athletes', architects')

#4

In my country there is at least 10x political blogs than technical ones. They're using local simplistic blog platforms (usually hosted by news sites) that let you have your own third level domain.

I see. Having your own third level (or) subdomain with file hosting seems to be better than walled-garden. Let me ask the same question => why are there fewer posts about individually motivated essays rather than SEO (or political blogs)? Making money from blog is not a first priority (making money by selling subscriptions or teaching courses is completely ok for readers, imao as long as the writer is motivated for s…

These blog systems hosted by the news sites do not have FTP access, there is a simplistic web interface that you use to publish articles and set up categories/tags. There are "freehostings" that give you a 3rd level domain and FTP access to a LAMP server (in exchange for displaying an ad banner), but that's a different thing.

I am not sure what you mean by your question, could you clarify?

Re: Ask HN: Why are there fewer non-tech personal blogs? (athletes', architects')

#5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see. Having your own third level (or) subdomain with file hosting seems to be better than walled-garden. Let me ask the same question => why are there fewer posts about individually motivated essays rather than SEO (or political blogs)? Making money from blog is not a first priority (making money by selling subscriptions or teaching courses is completely ok for readers, imao as long as the writer is motivated for s…

These blog systems hosted by the news sites do not have FTP access, there is a simplistic web interface that you use to publish articles and set up categories/tags. There are "freehostings" that give you a 3rd level domain and FTP access to a LAMP server (in exchange for displaying an ad banner), but that's a different thing. I am not sure what you mean by your question, could you clarify?

Sounds like a blogger.com ...

Sorry for the question. I mean,

- the web has become easier to publish compare to past. (creating your own website) - in sheer number, the personal blogs of developers', programmers' blogs are greater and it is much easier to follow their RSS. - I really would love to read an Architect's personal blog or an local barista's personal one and could not find on the web? (do we lack a directory or rss?) - It's not seems to be likely that only tech-savvy people write blogs and other occupations don't. Other engineers or accountants may want to share their stories (right now mainly through short posts on twitter, fb ...) - I could easily follow my university's retired reactor, professors and read their posts on facebook. But there are full of distractions (never-ending feeds of dopamine slot machines) and I mean why don't many people publish on the web? - I could easily browse my fav programmers' website and read, take note in peace without distractions and follow their RSS. But it's a lot harder to find an architect's weblog (there are but fewer than programming blogs).

Re: Ask HN: Why are there fewer non-tech personal blogs? (athletes', architects')

#8
post #7

They either meet in person or are writing books instead. And they don't know how to blog, and they have no idea that this would be free.

You are right. reading a precious book from them is an great exp.

Although writing a book vs posting a tweet has enormous differential, I think writing a blog post or an essay has somewhat between and constantly update-able.

As for me, writing an essay to share what I experience this month is a lot of work.

May be it's the same for others in general?

Re: Ask HN: Why are there fewer non-tech personal blogs? (athletes', architects')

#9

I have a feeling that your stats and experience is heavily affected by selection bias.

Yes, you could safely ignore the stats, but it's the reality that facebook is extremely (I mean too much) popular in my country and that slot machine is packed with endless dopamine.

Re: Ask HN: Why are there fewer non-tech personal blogs? (athletes', architects')

#10
Depends how much people like to (or need to) reach out. I don't think it's mainly technical. I started late in my profession (land planning / ecology) while most started during uni so grew up with their network so they don't need to develop one - that's part of what I think is going on.

Also I don't see many traditional professionals as wanting to reach out and I find it enjoyable, and remunerative.

I have a wordpress blog (found via bt w3 site) and two twitters so not too walled that helps me reach out and be more findable. Self-hosting would take me too long to read up on as seem to be many options but I suspect most are unfit.

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