Here on the Gargoyle staff we are required to write weekly blog entries. They give us a chance to freely express ourselves on whatever topics we might want to.

Blogging itself has overwhelmed our Internet community. I remember that during my first year at Uni it seemed that at least half of our class was addicted to using Xanga. We gossiped and chatted through it, updating daily for a good portion of the year.

Then there was Uni’s very own Gossip Girl, who also blogged on Xanga about the “scandals” at Uni (which were usually particularly dull). After Gossip Girl herself became a scandal, the blogging scene at Uni seemed to die down a bit. But, even now, several blog veterans at Uni continue to update their LiveJournals and Xangas.

This world of social blogging is just one tiny sliver of the blogging world, which includes the profession of blogging, where wordsmiths endure the stressful job of 24/7 blogging.

These bloggers are tough stuff, for as soon as blogworthy news hits the stands (or sometimes, even before it does) they have to be ready with a polished blog. This is fast-food journalism, and milliseconds mean a lot because, when it comes down to it, it’s whoever spits the blog out faster who succeeds.

The mentality of these bloggers and their editors is oriented for immediacy, a mentality that can sacrifice journalistic quality.

Journalistic quality isn’t the only thing that bloggers have to sacrifice for this high-pressure job; they also sacrifice their mental and physical health. As reported in a recent New York Times article, these E-Zombies have recently been awakened by the sudden deaths of two fellow bloggers.

When taking a closer look, it is evident that many a professional blogger suffers from eating disorders, sleeping disorders, and other ailments. This is linked to the unhealthy lifestyle that their profession forces them to lead. Bloggers are frequented by high stress levels, causing them to have an atypical sleeping schedule. This schedule leads to them obtaining minimal amounts of nightly sleep, some even passing out at times.

The negative aspects of professional blogging, a seemingly dream career for writers, are overpowering. The recent deaths have caused many bloggers to question the sustainability of their lifestyles, which revolve entirely around the profession.

Of course, there are still a plethora of passionate bloggers out there, but the withdrawal may eventually come.