Branding nothing
The link has Gene Weingarten putting somewhat considered words to an idea that inspires a visceral response in me: “building a brand” out of one’s self and work. All I’ve been able to say about it so far is: “It’s depressing, and it makes my stomach turn.”
Of course, it must be noted, Gene Weingarten got to be a “hungry young reporter” in the 1970s, before America “matured,” before the internet simultaneously ruined all and made everything better. When he complains about the Twitterification of journalism, he does so from inside the Washington Post newsroom and as one of the most successful newspaper writers around today. So it makes sense that he can talk about personal branding intelligibly, whereas I am stuck thinking my head is going to explode if I even consider it.
Like he did, though, I think I’ll try to follow the dictum: “First came the work.”
