And here I thought I wouldn’t ever be writing about this guy’s blog again, but then somebody else I am reading posted this morning last night about it …

Shelley Powers writes:

It was a bit of a surprise to read Russell Beattie’s closure of his weblog today. I have no doubt he’s closing it, too.

Absolutely no surprise or doubt from me on either count. The next time somebody closes their comments and nukes all the past comments, it might be a darn good signal they are out of gas both figuratively and literally. Certainly enough for this reader to eject. A mere couple months ahead of the other former readers Mr. Beattie is now encouraging to unsubscribe.

In light of our previous exchange, this paragraph is particuarly laughable (emphasis mine):

If you’ve just stumbled onto this post in the months and years ahead, and are reading this now wondering who the hell I am and what I am talking about, feel free to roam through the archives and discover for yourself.

What should have been written: Feel free to roam part of the history of the archives and then Google my name and discover the history yourself.

Now, let me make another prediction about the fate of these blog archives: don’t count on them lasting very long.

And Shelley, with all due respect, this makes zero sense: “This is a sound idea: close down the weblog, and if you do decide to come back, start a new one at a different location.”

This all sounds too convenient to me for a guy who bragged claimed to be making $3,000USD+ from Yahoo Publishing Network (better than Adsense! he cried) ads on this very blog he’s now shutting down what six months later — and who works for, surprise, surprise, Yahoo! (one time the exclamation point actually makes sense). Don’t say that too loudly though, he doesn’t like that and might try to ban you from his comment area. Wait, he doesn’t have a comment area anymore. Ban from his blog, I mean. Wait, he doesn’t have one of those any more either.

Oh, and yes, I noticed Seth Finkelstein in Shelley’s comment area still crying about how clubby blogs are: “… especially given what I know now about the A-list/conference/clubbiness aspects of being heard.”

Somebody give that guy a violin already. If you want to be heard, stop whining and start writing (3 posts in the last two weeks probably isn’t going to part the Red sea, Seth). But for those who want to shut up because they think there is zero chance of being heard, just quit take a break like Beattie is doing.

Good riddance.

Did this post make you go hmm?

Maybe Related Posts (plugin generated)

• Beattie goes nursery school, not “old school”
• Day 11 of 24 Da Vinci Quest: please stop giving people the answers in the comments
• Blog comment spam and SE impact: is it that significant?
• Hey Shelley, here’s a link from a guy!
• Lump of coal #1: When you try and give feedback and can’t (updated)
• Yahoo says “me too” on the DVR scene?