Halley Suitt considers Emerson to be the Ur-Blogger, and quotes his essay "Self Reliance" in its entirety in support of her argument. By quoting Emerson, Suitt argues that the Blogger's voice should be strong, independent, and original.
Unbillable Hours makes the case for originality in a slightly different way. He describes his Blog as a way to preserve his stories: a place apart from the rest of his daily life. Emerson celebrates the impact of the original voice in the world; Unbillable Hours celebrates its ability to take us out of the world.