> I write differently when I anticipate an audience (even if they never come).

Is that good, though? If the product is purely for self-consumption, is the audience-anticipating version necessarily the better version?

And at what point, after how many unread blog posts, do you rationally stop anticipating an audience?

I know what you mean. I'm not very reserved (is that the word I want?) though and don't mind speaking my mind — public or otherwise. Perhaps having left the job market, having passed 60 years of age makes me give less of a shit.

That said though, "publishing" keeps me honest. (In the same way I find using my actual name on the internet "keeps me honest". I'm disinclined to shit-post.)

I am more inclined to, if not fact-check all points I make, just drop indefensible things I might have said altogether. (And sometimes I learn just why a thought of mine is indefensible, ha ha.)

Usually it's a good thing, yes. Because you are forced to communicate clearly, cut the jargon and not dump your stream of consciousness. Instead you pay attention to whether what you're saying is of any value to another person.

> Because you are forced to communicate clearly, cut the jargon and not dump your stream of consciousness. Instead you pay attention to whether what you're saying is of any value to another person.

Why is that good, though, if you're the only reader?

It helps you see "what is crap" in your own mind. Sometimes you need the mindset that you are speaking in public to confront those things.

I don't think I am really "anticipating" an audience. Or it might be my greatest grandkids after I am long dead that I are my audience. It doesn't really matter to me. It's more of a mindset.