In the 24/7 world of the blogosphere, where the action never stops and the best scoop could be just around the next virtual corner, the life of a top blogger can be one full of Google, Technorati and endless caffeinated beverages with sleep and sometimes even food coming as a distant afterthought. With 112 million active blogs being tracked by blog search engine Technorati, the blogosphere has become an extremely important part of the web 2.0 world and the allure of becoming an elite blogger has attracted tens of thousands of full time bloggers worldwide.

Many bloggers are paid by the post (and the number of hits their post gets), leading to what some critics label the new virtual sweatshop. While the life of a blogger can often feature the ultimate in flexibility – where working from home and “on your own schedule” is the norm, it can be precisely this flexibility that can lead to unhealthy work practices and overburdening stress for those unable to maintain a healthy median between work and play.

The spotlight has been thrust upon the life of the blogger by a recent article in the NYT by Matt Richtel, which focuses on the potentially unhealthy and obsessive traits of the professional blogger. With the recent deaths of two well-known bloggers, Russell Shaw and Marc Orchant caused by coronary attacks, many have started to question the lifestyle of the techno-worker, for whom flexibility can be both the ultimate freedom, but also a dangerous curse. While it is near impossible to prove the cause and effect of an unhealthy blogger lifestyle (i.e. were they made in to insomniacs by the trade, or does the industry attract those who get little rest in the first place), the discussion generated by the article has started, and will continue to bring to light many important issues about the potential dark sides of the flexible workplace that is the preferred environment for millions of Net Geners.

While I appreciate the ability to work at home, on my own time, wearing whatever I like, and avoiding a morning and evening commute, as much as anyone, this brings ups the ongoing challenge of maintaining a healthy lifestyle when the office is always just a click away. The blogger example represents the hyper-techno employee, but it is important to remember that the most successful (and healthiest and therefore productive) employees in the future will be those who know when to turn off the blackberry, turn off the Digg and Technorati and Google and get some old-fashioned exercise, rest and a well-balanced meal. I wonder if they’ll ever start teaching healthy lifestyle maintenance for the web2.0 world in school.