If you’re a fly-by-night blog author, where the writing is really about letting your hair down and blasting everybody in sight, then sure…the blog has to go. But, if your blog is really about conversations with other folks, about exploring new ideas and learning, then it’s simple as well…the blog is chosen.

You see, in a Read/Write Web world, if you compromise your learning, your reflection on your work, and interactions with other professionals, and that compromise is valued by your employer, then you lose more than just a job. You lose the freedom to cogitate, communicate, and collaborate in a connected world. In a world where we each can stand up and speak without fear to oppression, to make our case known and not be dependent on an employer to unequivocally represent reality in a distorted, one-dimensional way…freedom of speech is more valuable than a job.

If your employer failed to value your learning and reflection, or you failed to let them know what you really thought, then there is a fundamental dishonesty and lack of trust in the relationship. When I get hired, I want people to know what they’re getting, my capacity to learn and express myself, my desire to explore ideas even if they may be controversial.

I haven’t gotten here overnight. Certainly blogging has accelerated the process for me…blogging as conversation, as living up to the 100% potential of a Web that is 50% Read/50% Write.