Quote:
Originally Posted by carld
Also, he isn't railing against amateurs as such. He's ranting about people who are eager to give their work away for nothing other than a spec of attention. Again, I agree with that. And, of course people have every right to give their work away (Ellison isn't saying they don't). That doesn't automatically make it the smartest choice.
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Giving work away for free, in return for some notoriety and an expectation of paid work in the future, is one of the oldest methods known of beginning and growing a business. Nothing wrong with it at all. Naturally, established businesses hate to see new businesses do it, because it shifts the commercial balance and undercuts the established business.
Ellison thinks of himself, and all GOOD writers, as "Arr-
teests," to be lauded by the unwashed masses and showered with gold for their efforts. The rest (like me, who don't have his extensive credentials) are considered by him to be hacks, who should be ridden out of town on a rail for performing on the street (and taking income that should have gone to him).
I'd remind him that he's written for television. Here's a ladder... climb down.