Everyone is a publisher myth: February 09, 1998 issue of New Thinking

February 09, 1998 New Thinking:
Everyone is a publisher myth

Website content management

Home I About I Services I Clients I Contact

New Thinking Home

Subject Classification
Reader Feedback
Subscribing
Unsubscribing
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996

Books by
Gerry McGovern

Content Critical

Gaining competitive advantage through high-quality web content

The Web Content
Style Guide

The essential guide
for online writers, editors and managers

February 09, 1998

Everyone is a publisher myth

By Gerry McGovern

Everyone is a fisherman. Everyone is an athlete. Everyone is a publisher. Everyone is a footballer. Everyone is a poet. Everyone is human (hopefully). Everyone is a writer. Everyone is beautiful (in their own way).

Let’s face it, deep inside every one of us, a fisherman (or fisherwoman) is waiting to get out. All we need is a fishing rod, some tackle, some bait and a pair of wellies. Then we go down to the river or the sea or the lake, or whatever tract of water where fish may be found. We assemble our gear, we drop the line in and we wait for the fish to bite.

Yes. Well, in theory that all sounds fine. And, yes, I have tried fishing a few times. However, I no longer own any fishing tools. Even when I did, or had borrowed some, I found it very hard to catch fish. I waited and I waited, and the fish simply paid no attention to the worn dangling on my hook. And anyway, damn it, I never liked fishing! So there!

Very early in life, I realized that the life of a fisherman was not for me. Thus, I began a journey to find my true purpose, to find something that would fulfill me and make me whole. (Or at least make me a living.)

I took up writing. I enjoyed it. It was hard work. It took years for me to become any good at it. Finally, I got some fiction published. Then some journalism. I felt great. You know, it is a tremendous feeling the first time you get your work published. To see my name in the by-line brought me great joy.

Until, of course, the Internet arrived, echoed in by the clanging chimes of ‘Everyone is a publisher.’ What? Everyone is a publisher? Had I worked all these years at a trade that by some magic, twisted, devilish technology was now available to everyone?

My career was under threat. I felt depressed. I felt angry. Betrayed. The Internet became my archenemy. But I could not escape it. Everyone was talking about it. It was cool.

With great trepidation I ventured online for the first time. This massive library of the world, this place where everyone had suddenly become a publisher, caused edgy sweat to zigzag down my spine. I arrived weary at Yahoo. Fumbling, my fingers typed some searches.

A smile began ever so slowly to trace its way across my lips. Suddenly, I laughed aloud. Then I shrieked with joy. And then my neighbor banged heavily against my wall, for it was 4.30am in the morning. (Where had the hours gone?)

I got up and tiptoed delightedly around my room, waving my hands in the air. All was not lost by any means. The Internet was not a threat at all. It was a wonderful resource. And it proved one point more strongly than I could ever prove it in argument.

On the Internet, everyone is a publisher, I agree. It’s just that the great majority of them are really, really awful publishers.

Gerry McGovern

Next issue: 40 days of rain
Previous issue: 100 million customer myth
New Thinking homepage

New Thinking Newsletter
Subscribe to this free weekly newsletter covering the role and function of content on the Web.
More info | Privacy policy
Read the current issue

Email Address:

 Subscribe  Unsubscribe

Content management seminar feedback
"Gerry's presentation was very well received by the more than 400 higher education delegates. I've chaired this meeting since 1994 and very few speakers have generated the same level of enthusiasm. Wit and wisdom is always an unbeatable combination."
Bob Johnson, American Marketing Association

“Excellent presenter ... thought-provoking and relevant. I hope we can persuade him to visit us again one day.”
Malcolm Davison
The British Association of Communicators in Business

"Hearing Gerry McGovern speaking, one can feel that he truly masters the subject of content management. He was voted ‘best speaker of the conference’ by delegates."
Toon Lowette
European Association of Directory Publishers

Find out more about Gerry McGovern's seminars

On the Internet, everyone is a publisher, I agree. It’s just that the great majority of them are really, really awful publishers.