The information, arguments, opinions, and social enjoyment I have received through diaries and their commentaries have been behaviour-changing - for myself. And these have definitely improved my work capabilitities as well as shifting my position in the Overton window.

Plus, quite a few of these diaries raise issues months, if not years, before the tradmed picks up on them. That especially I have found important. But do we influence anything? If we count all of our personal networks together, the contact reach is probably tens of thousands. OK - that may not seem much, but a lot of our personal contacts are more opinion-forming than Joe Schmoe.

Your question is perhaps better understood as: What is the motivation for diarists? It's work to write a diary, but marshaling one's material is always instructive. And the crucial aspect is the reaction to a diary. In several sectors we have skilled professionals. Their comments are invaluable.

A couple of years ago I wrote diaries more frequently. But being on the artsy-fartsy side, some diaries had little traction. I'm happy to read stuff everyday, and in return I want to give something back.

I guess, like the economy, it's all based on confidence and trust.

Lastly - I'm a professional B2B writer - among other things. It's a somewhat ascetic trade. At ET I take pleasure in writing.

You can't be me, I'm taken