I don't think you're being mercenary at all. Thinking about publication means you're thinking, realistically, about reaching out to people. I can perform a play in my backyard, but the audience will be limited to my kids, squirrels, and my uneasy neighbors. And that's what my putting up writing on LJ is like--although at least my cyber neighbors are supportive rather than uneasy.

I guess putting things on LJ represents my pessimism about my chances of success with publishing. Things may change if I start having more successes!