@Jeruba : Yes, thank you for your ever-watchful eye. I just woke up from a long nap after a very busy morning. Besides, I hung up my editing hat a few years ago now and rarely think in those terms of closely guarded description. What I meant is precisely as you elaborated.
I do want to add that there will be no shortage for the need of writers in the future. The difficulty will lie in the type of writing. Newspaper reporters are already seeing the need to freelance for many publications, and there’s very little call for steady writing for magazines. I only mention those because @pcmonkey brought them up. Those are the traditional realms of editors, too, but those days are sadly passing.
I know a technical writer who makes a good salary. The skies the limit on what can be done there. Most industries need good technical writers. The medical field is a big one.
@Jeruba did mention that there will still be editors who choose content worthy of publication. It’s simply my opinion, but there will be fewer of those as well. The rise of self-publishing and publishing-on-demand will drive many authors down a different road. I’m talking about fiction writers here.
@pcmonkey : I do not want to dissuade you in any way from following a passion. If you truly love reading all sorts of things, then follow that dream. You will be happier in the long run.