If you can simply tell the story of what you’re going through as you try to do your job as a journalist, the way you see that job, in a world that’s redefining the job daily, you will not only make sense of it for yourself, but you’ll be telling a story that will resonate with your professional colleagues, and you’ll make the impact you want to make.

I bailed out of professional journalism a while back, not entirely by choice, but primary among several reasons was disgust at the kinds of things in which I found myself investing my time and talents.

It’s difficult enough meeting the metaphysical demands of journalism (what is the truth?), and when you add in the necessity of making a living, and dealing with organizations that are being pulled out of shape by the forces, imo, of late-phase capitalism in what appears to be a death spiral — it all adds up.

You’re a good man and a fine journalist. Don’t let the bastards push you into spoiling your chances to tell your story and having it listened to. You’ll find a way to tell the story, in a way that can’t be written off as the work of a disgruntled employee or otherwise marginalized person. Make that your crusade, how to temper your emotional response and let your anger fuel the creative fire.

-D oug