One of the reasons why I felt I couldn't get into journalism was that I was paid a pittance for all the amount of work and research I'd put into an article. My impression has always been that only rich kids would go into journalism because they could afford it. Kind of them paying their dues before getting that cushy magazine job.

Why people with multiple talents and opportunities to make more money would want to be journalists? There is really no economic incentive.

Yet, when I read a blog from someone who is an expert on a topic ... like Dave Neiwert from Orcinus, or even the sometimes douchy bags of The Volokh Conspiracy, it's like smelling a bouquet of roses.

I have to ask then, is Citizen Journalism just writing by experts or a real reporting of facts in the voice of the people. What is it?