Joel to quit the podcast? [closed]

Question

A few weeks ago Joel mentioned that he would quit blogging on the ten-year anniversary of Joel on Software. However, it appears that he's going farther than that; the following appears in Joel's latest Inc column:

So having become an Internet celebrity in the narrow, niche world of programming, I've decided that it's time to retire from blogging. March 17, the 10th anniversary of Joel on Software, will mark my last major post. This also will be my last column for Inc. For the most part, I will also quit podcasting and public speaking. Twitter? "Awful, evil, must die, CB radio, sorry with only 140 chars I can't tell you why."

Is the end of the Stack Overflow podcast imminent? I realize no one could replace Joel, but is there a way to keep the show going in his absence?

His reason for removing himself completely from the public eye:

The truth is, as much as I've enjoyed it, blogging has become increasingly impossible to do the way I want to as Fog Creek has become a larger company. We now have 32 employees and at least six substantial product lines. We have so many customers that I can't always write freely without inadvertently insulting one of them. And my daily duties now take so much time that it has become a major effort to post something thoughtful even once or twice a month.

edit: The article is now up on inc.com

Answer 1

I am not aware of any changes to the Stack Overflow podcast -- so I would say, no, Joel is not planning to quit the podcast.

Answer 2

There's a podcast?

Answer 3

"So having become an Internet celebrity in the narrow, niche world of programming, I've decided that it's time to retire from blogging"

Translation:

"Having achieved the only prize one can from blogging, I'm leaving on a high note."

Although it leaves me feeling that he's killing the golden goose - a lot of people use FogBugz and other Fog Creek products because they learned about Joel through his blog, which attracted a lot of external links, specifically from people who could become his customers.

However, the market (blogs for programming/management/startups/software development/etc) is well saturated, and it could be that the return on his time is very small.

And, as he pointed out, as Fog Creek grows, he has to decide as the public facing mouthpiece whether to continue and possibly offend people, continue, but change his output to a more bland flavor to avoid offense, or discontinue and recede into the background - let his products and marketing speak for the company.

He is, after all, the Steve Jobs of Fog Creek, but unlike Steve he's not willing to be a showman and say what's necessary to propel the company forward - he says what he wants to say, and lets the chips fall where they may.

Of course, after 10 years he may also simply be getting tired. Writing a blog is work. Further, he may also be positioning himself to exit Fog Creek or to dig in and work harder on it to bring it to the next level. The company is developed to the point where it's in a great position, but it may need new reins to take it higher. As profitable as plateauing (or even moderate growth) can be, if you are not growing you will eventually be declining. This may require a new leader, a cash infusion, or simply more time commitments from the existing leadership.

But then he's also searching for investment in Stackoverflow - so perhaps he's merely digging in so he can focus on that endeavor, which has a very short window to succeed, or be overtaken by competitors in the areas it doesn't already have a foothold. He has probably already found out that he's said too much about this effort on his blog and the podcast, and wants to avoid shooting himself in the foot.

Answer 4

He basically says he's too busy catching the helicopter from the East Side to the place in the Hamptons to do any more blogging, he's tired of all the unwashed masses sending him emails, tired of all of the book store book signings, tired of his agent sending him movie scripts, and he's busy working on VC money to buy Expert Sex Change and force those responsible to endure public humiliation. And there was something about a kid with an eye patch.

Oh, and he totally wants to be cool like Calacanis so he's quitting blogging and buying a Tesla. And getting a bulldog. Or maybe a shitzu.

Or something like that - I can't really remember - I got so emotional and teary and the ink blurred.

Or he just has some more sharks to jump?

Answer 5

Well, Joel did quit. But he's going to un-quit.

The rest of this answer was originally posted here by Ray Vega

According to Joel, it appears that the podcasts will be returning:

In the coming months you’ll see several amazing things that Alex has started doing, including the resurgence of Stack Overflow DevDays, the renewal of my podcast with Jeff, and an amazing thing, still secret, involving unicorns.

Answer 6

Yes, his swan song is in Inc. Yes, it says that. He also pokes fun at Twitter and says he'll be done with that - or perhaps I totally misunderstood the joke. (It was in italics after all - and maybe that threw me off.)

Answer 7

Now the real question is if the content of the blog will remain available? If not, I've got some copying to do...