[ajdecon]

Which works if you view writing purely as a way to sell your time or your other work. But if you want to make a living by writing, not by starting side businesses, then I don't think it's clear that your content should be free. Some people want to find a way to make a living as content creators, not as content creators + t-shirt salesmen + consultants.

How possible is this in general? I don't know. It's the same problem that exists with all other digital media. But I think it's likely that some people will probably find a way to make a living with paywalls or email newsletters, and be happier that way--even if they could make more by selling t-shirts. And I suspect they will do so with a very high price point, because exclusivity always sells.

[swombat]

Then they can sell ebooks or even traditional books through their blog, and/or get their column syndicated by a paying newspaper (as long as those exist).

Note that I'm not saying that paywalls are always going to fail, just that in general the argument "I write good stuff so I should charge for it" is pretty unsteady.