But this never happens, and when it does, anti-trust suits happen. So you have to be wise, and just feel out the whole thing.

There’s two approaches I see in competition. The first is the asshole route, deny any existence of competition to protect the corporate entity. And on the lighter side is the good faith methodology.

Scrivs has obviously taken the lesser evil of the two, which more times than not benefits. Was the iPod so successful because it denied any existence of other operating systems, making a proprietary device? In the nicest way I can say it, “hell fucking no.”

And with the whole Scrivs and Darren thing, that is good faith. And I see the 9rules network blowing up faster than a virgins inflatable doll on prom night when his date stands him up (Scrivs I am looking in your direction).

All joking aside I think Scrivs, you are a good person, and a smart person. I think you are more concerned about competing with yourself than anyone else. You don’t come off as that “protect the corporate entity” type person, yet you are very motivated. I think your only main competition is yourself. You want to push yourself to a level in the future that you haven’t reached in the past or present.

Now, certainly a 3rd gadget blog can *exist*, but compete to me means getting similar traffic/advertising.

Regardless, the great thing about the blogosphere is that you could create–and there are dozens–a knock off of Engadget or Gizmodo and make enough money to pay the rent… and for some folks that is success, so more power to them… gives us something to link to when they get a scoop!

This was me…