[...] Of course, Arrington’s success is about more than partying like a frat boy and schmoozing like a Hollywood agent at a cast party. With the exception of a three-week vacation (during which he worked half-time) at the end of 2006, he says he has worked every day for two years straight. He gets up at about 10 or 11 am, is at his desk 10 seconds later, and tends to the business side of his operation until early evening, seeing entrepreneurs, doing phone interviews, tracking the news of the day, and writing posts. He’s often at parties or other events until 10. It’s typically not until 10 or 11 pm, when things quiet down, that he has time to think and write more thoughtful, analytical blog entries. “I’ve actually cut back,” he says. “In the beginning, I got up every day and worked until I passed out. I’ve always been like that. It’s probably why I’m not married yet.” Arrington relishes the rough-and-tumble of online feuds, comment wars, and one-upmanship. And as an A-list blogger, he’s obliged to wade into controversy most every day. [...] Arrington readily admits that he’s prone to excess and uncontrolled outbursts — of temper, partying, and work. But it’s that very quality that has helped make him one of the most compelling Silicon Valley heavyweights in a long time. He doesn’t deny that some of the fits of anger are for show, but he also insists that he’s just a passionate, emotional guy. “I’m human. I’ve put my entire life into this blog, and when I’m attacked, it’s emotional,” he says. “I’m going to react sometimes — that’s just me. Does that mean I’m flawed? Yeah. Does that mean I’m not being 100 percent efficient about business? Yeah. But it really hurts when people attack me, and I think people who don’t respond aren’t very human or very interesting.” [...]
This profile of Mike Arrington bears some resemblance with Chris Masse of Midas Oracle —except that I get up much, much earlier.
As for the profitability aspect of the Midas Oracle enterprise, I’m working on it and will update you, dear readers, in the coming weeks.
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