Is this like one of those "are you an alcoholic quizzes, in which you have to score a certain number to get over the threshold?

<i>Just don't be boring, fawning, abusive, repetitive, a stooge, a thinly veiled search engine optimization vehicle, a drunk, a self-proclaimed expert, a bad photographer, riddled with historical error, be the second beer blogger named Pete or Knut or Jay, use adjectives like malty or hoppy, poach posts, fail to give hat tips or fail to search on Google before calling your blog or column "The Beer Nut." </i>

I have regularly commit at least five of these crimes ("boring"--well, how <i>much of the time</i>--never mind, make it six). There are other crimes I commit which you don't list.

But I have a defense: I'm paid exactly what I'm worth. And I charge the same.

I also screw up html tags.

Aw, shucks.

Your last paragraph should be required reading for new beer writers and bloggers. And I don't think anyone would accuse you, Alan, of not having a distinctive voice...

Cheers,

Andy

P.S. With all of my usual nonsense aside, I am certainly open to suggestions for people I should be reading. I certainly have only scratched the surface of what is out there.

"...highly personalized content..."

Isn't that what blogging is about?

Chin up mate, I still read you. I hate myself in the morning, but I still read.

Don't worry. I don't believe in anything much above personally. But I will never be a real consultancy level guru if I don't spread it on thick.

I agree with Andy. I like the last paragraph...

I'd chip in, but an old boy from my first school once said all that's necessary:

“Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot”. – D H Lawrence

@Pivni - Surprised more people didn't pick up on that. Blogging is personal and, without dictating content to anyone, it should be.

@Alan - Seems like you are saying write whatever you like as long as it doesn't do anything you deem a cardinal sin? Unfortunately the nature of blogging is those cardinal sins are allowed, even if that means misconceptions, bad photos and limited vocabulary. Blogs will be of all different qualities and taste, just like beer, and people should have the benefit of the doubt to sift and choose between the,m.

PS. I actually agree with some of your caveats to be honest, especially search engine veils. I just don't see it as my place to dictate to others how to publish their own material.

@Scoop Very nice quote, but not everyone follows that mantra!

Mark, it seems to me that you have appointed yourself the judge of me. That will be five dollars.

Far from it Alan, I hope my 'PS' comment didn't come across as a nod and wink to you, it wasn't meant like that.

I'm only observing that blogging is all about self publishing and freedom. Even if that's to the extent of poor quality or even the detriment of a topic, hobby or industry as a whole.

That idea of freedom and sharing of information underpinned the point of the internet.

I actually wrote that paragraph at least as much tongue in cheek as with the intention that it would be any sort of guide. There is a measure of exploration and bad performance art in what I write. I am interested in what people take these sentences to mean. Plus, I am guilty (if these be sin) as anyone.

I thought the internet was underpinned with a measure of lonely desperation.

Your irony was too subtle for me, I guess I'm used to everything being dumbed down these days Alan! Guilty as charged on some of the points too, including the lonely desperation!

Oh, I am guilty of most of them, too. Except I am not called Knut.