I run a series of e-mail newsletters on topics I'm interested in and have about 190k subscribers.
But that's only one tiny way, there are lots of people who do things like blog about news full-time, run tumblelogs, industry analysts, etc. http://daringfireball.net/ would be a top example of one of these. http://www.loopinsight.com/ are another. Lots of podcasts, YouTubers, etc. Generally "indie media" I guess.
It's worth noting, however, that it's quite hard to make a good living in that way and only a small percentage make it to an enviable position. It's certainly a lot easier to make $100k+ per year as a full-time programmer than as someone consuming/producing media.
But that's only one tiny way, there are lots of people who do things like blog about news full-time, run tumblelogs, industry analysts, etc. http://daringfireball.net/ would be a top example of one of these. http://www.loopinsight.com/ are another. Lots of podcasts, YouTubers, etc. Generally "indie media" I guess.
It's worth noting, however, that it's quite hard to make a good living in that way and only a small percentage make it to an enviable position. It's certainly a lot easier to make $100k+ per year as a full-time programmer than as someone consuming/producing media.