Sometimes I post random thoughts and ideas regarding how I feel about the state of things on the web. Today is one of those days (I've even listed them out nicely for your enjoyment).

1. I grow weary of the social networks (how many pokes can they take to get to the center of a facebook app?). If we're supposed to use these to broaden our ring of friends with diversity in exposure, then why so far is it the same friends that follow you everywhere? New goal: find a network, and attempt to reach a completely different audience than before. Diversify!
2. I believe that there are very few true leaders or followers, but rather long chains of people who follow each-other to differing lengths. It just usually happens to be the loudest that get noticed sooner than the brightest. Respect the links that you follow as much as you respect those that follow you.
3. Arrogance is nothing when faced with the power of modesty. Contrary to belief, waving a political design flag around your head doesn't actually get people to trust you. Admitting that you have a lot to learn (without taking away from what you have to teach) will not only bring you closer to your readers, but actually remind people that you are indeed human.
4. A lack of readership does not mean you suck. It means you are unique (and you should keep it up). The web is in desperate need of unique. Have patience, your time will come (recall that in the 90s, css-geeks were unique and ill-favored among the traditional design crowd).
5. If you don't like what people think of you then you're probably looking at the wrong people. Have you tried a mirror? "What do you think of yourself" is the question you should really be asking. What about your family? Are you overlooking their appreciation?
6. If a picture is worth a thousand words, why do blog posts get all the links? The blogosphere (buzzword gag) doesn't yet fully appreciate the world of illustration (yet). Perhaps it's still too busy bitching and moaning about web standards to care.
7. Networking on the web can be the most important career move ever, yet its power is like gasoline when lit with the match of criticism. On the web, compliments never travel and criticism travels faster than it needs to. Try slowing the effect by writing a complimentary article about something of somebody you like.
8. The web is akin to over-circulated air conditioning - stale and cold. The next time you write an article do the following: turn off the computer, acquire some lined paper and a pen, sit near a window with a pleasant view of the outdoors (or actually go outdoors if weather permits), and write two brief paragraphs about how this affects you.

That's your homework, now go.