It's time for a change of pace. This blog won't be updated so often any more. The reason has two parts, a trigger and a cause.

The trigger is a change at work. I've been growing more and more bored with my job for the last year, and a month ago I asked to be reassigned. That has worked out very well, and a side effect is that I have less motivation to keep an active blog on the side. It's not that I wrote the blog at work, (although that happened), but having an unchallenging job left a lot of creativity and motivation unspent, which I channeled into this hobby. That creativity and motivation is now occupied elsewhere. I didn't expect to lose interest in the blog - I've been blogging for so long I couldn't imagine not doing it - but I don't regret that it has happened. I enjoy writing code more than I enjoy writing words.

Even despite this, I could have continued to write several long entries a week, if I had been sufficiently interested in what I was writing about. But that's just it: I'm not. Interested. When I began this blog, just days after September 11, I described it as "temporarily created, hopefully shortlived, to cover the war and its consequences". The war and its consequences, if not over, and if still important, has been thoroughly covered by myself and others, and I see little left to say on a semi-daily basis. The same goes for American and Norwegian politics, which I've also written a lot about. I'm bloody tired of both.

The things that happen that I do find both important and interesting, worthy of daily coverage, happen in places I know too poorly to write about: The EU, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, South America. I've criticized our own media for ignoring these places and dedicating a disproportionate amount of coverage to Norway, America and the Middle East. We run our foreign news desks by the soap opera principle: Days of Our Lives, the Jerusalem Years. But when I browse back through my own archives, which subjects do I find myself covering the most? What do I write about, day after day. The very same. I meet myself in the door.

I'm not closing the blog. I know myself well enough to realize that I can't stop writing. I've been writing on and off for more than nine years. I expect the words to make their way out at regular intervals for the rest of my life. And when they do, you're likely to find them here, at this address. But not three times a week. And not about the same old soap.

Thanks for the quality posts over the years, and please do continue when you have the time.

Lee J.C. said it well and I'll affirm that you have one of the must-read blogs out there. Doing it the way you want to makes more sense than feeling obligated to make frequent posts you're not pleased with. Congratulations on your reassignment, too.

Congratulations and good luck on your new position, Bjørn, and thanks for all the effort you've put into furthering debate over some very important issues.

Bjørn,

Glad you aren't closing the blog. It's really quite extraordinary. I remember when I found your words shortly after 9/11, and I quoted Bob Dylan to describe how I felt about what you wrote. Your decision to blog in english, made possible by the great english language education in Norway, really seems to help make worldwide communication actually happen.

Dear Bjorn,

I discovered your blog soon after I discovered the blogosphere, and your blog became one of my daily sites. I was delighted to read your writings and your posters' comments regarding terrorism, the war, Islam, art exhibits, Israel-Palestine, the Norwegian and Scandinavian press, socialism, etc. You provided us with the opportunity to have interesting and informative transatlantic conversations.

Your feelings of boredom and burn-out are quite understandable. You've done a wonderful job managing your blog and attracting high-quality posters. I'm sure we've all benefited from having a chance to practice our arguing skills--a lost art in the U.S. and apparently in Scandinavia as well.

Your blog has been fabulous, but you should not be a slave to it. Thank you so much for running it over the past few years. If you can keep it going, I'll be a continuing reader and sometime poster. If you have to say goodbye, well then I want you to know how much I've appreciated your hard work and intelligent approach to the issues that engage us--your fans.

Thank you!

I feel sad. Together with Secular Blasphemy you made Norway sparkle on the map of European countries with great blogs. Period. Return frequently; consider writing short notices, and don't forget the same old soap which is your core business.
Thank you.

How wonderful for you! It's always great when the creative juices start flowing. Hopefully the juice also started flowing more heavily into your pocketbook.

Looking forward to your review of the B5 movie!

But after WB's The Polar Express bomb, who knows anymore? I can't believe they thought The Incredibles would bomb.

---

Oh, Allan! Rush just had on someone from Holland talking about Van Gogh - he said he also had a call from Ireland and Yemen. They're listening via the net....

On his dime, too! If you want 20 mill American to hear your opinion of US, there's no better place! And it'll come right back at you.

Bjørn, your weblog is a waterhole of free thought in a desert of political correctness, here in Norway at least. I don't agree with all your opinions, but it would be a pity were you to leave us readers permanently.

Thanks for your interesting blog, Bjørn. I hope you will still write here from time to time.

OT

Bush comment steals show. Bush thanked the hospitable Canadians for waving at him with "all five fingers."

Well, I don't always agree with the positions you make, but your blog is at least always lively and colorful.

Keep up the good work.

Good on ya Bjørn!
I have been wondering why there were no topics for a while, and the last thread is so big until for poor old dial-up users like me it takes like ten minutes to download it. Anyways, I just want to say that I agree with Totoro and Bjørn for once, and good luck in your reassignment.

Sandy:
"Oh, Allan! Rush just had on someone from Holland talking about Van Gogh - he said he also had a call from Ireland and Yemen. They're listening via the net....
On his dime, too! If you want 20 mill American to hear your opinion of US, there's no better place! And it'll come right back at you."
Actually, I think most americans have already heard the position I and many others currently have in regards to the US administration, therefore I think it will just be a loss of time to do as you propose. Besides, its not like my position is so different from your democrats. Actually, I think I am not that different from American democrats (I believe in an economy that is not too bogged down with welfare, but still able to provide free hospitals and education for everyone. And I am against the war in Iraq, very much like your democrats).

--(I believe in an economy that is not too bogged down with welfare, but still able to provide free hospitals and education for everyone. And I am against the war in Iraq, very much like your democrats).--

Wherever there is a jackboot stomping on a human face there will be a well-heeled Western liberal to explain that the face does, after all, enjoy free health care and 100 percent literacy.
-John Derbyshire

Your comment defies basic economics, Allan. May I suggest you acquire and study a copy of Dr. Thomas Sowell's "Basic Economics: A Citizen's Guide to the Economy."

Your comment shows why you will never understand US. Of course, when Australia implements this:

A hospital in the Netherlands - the first nation to permit euthanasia - recently proposed guidelines for mercy killings of terminally ill newborns, and then made a startling revelation: It has already begun carrying out such procedures, which include administering a lethal dose of sedatives.

The announcement by the Groningen Academic Hospital came amid a growing discussion in Holland on whether to legalize euthanasia on people incapable of deciding for themselves whether they want to end their lives - a prospect viewed with horror by euthanasia opponents and as a natural evolution by advocates....

----

Of course the State deciding for the "good" of society (and the national pocketbook) who's a burden and acting on it is ok.

Of course, maybe if we just Logan's Run everyone at 60, it would be OK. After all, it is for the good of society and the good of the collective must outweight the good of the individual.

And this:

--Actually, I think most americans have already heard the position I and many others currently have in regards to the US administration, therefore I think it will just be a loss of time to do as you propose.---

Now you know that's not true. Most of America is brain-dead, ignorant about the ways and sophistication of the world and under Karl Rove's EEEVVIIIILLLLLLL mind rays. (Do you like the way he parachuted into the Ukraine and rallied the troops???)

So, please, add your voice especially to Rush's drones. Diversity is good! Diversity is above all!

BTW - a lot of those democrats voted for W. One of the 04 FLA arguments is that there's no way W could have gotten so many votes in certain areas because there were more W votes than registered pubbies. W got about 300K MORE votes in 04 than Cabana Boy in FLA. A lot who didn't vote W aren't democrats, they're America-hater totalitarian lefties above all. That's the face of the dems now and that's one reason so many voted W and/or republican for the first time in their lives.

You should start visiting the American blogosphere more or expand your blog list. You would have met quite a few who could explain it to you. They didn't leave their party, Allan, their party left them.

And considering Australia's got its' own NHS problems......

When other people pick up most of the bill, responsibility seems to go out the window.

The chorus is adding more members for Kofi's resignation.

Congress is talking 10% cut in funding to about $1 billion.

I personally think it should be more. We need to get their attention.

I dont know why I end up discussing with you Sandy, there is no point..

Sandy P. . . .

I always enjoy your posts.

Allan, Melbourne . . .

Lighten up and learn something new. Thomas Sowell has many interesting ideas--plus, he's black so he's "diverse."

Why am I still writing on this blog-in-suspension? I guess I miss my international friends. You've all been great, even the people I disagree with. That's the point, isn't it. We can talk without lots of nasty eyerolls and shouting.

;)

Hope your motivation isn't to badly shaken, and that you will gett bear strong again. You're voice of sanity is needed.

All good things must come to an end unfortunatly. I have enjoyed your blog very much Bjorn and will miss your contributions.

Good luck with the new job/assignment.

Franko

Thanks for being a sensible rightwing voice on the web. Although I heartily disagree with you, I personally would like to hear your opinion more often and not less often.

And good luck with the new job.

If anyone's interested, Wizbang's hosting The 2004 Weblog Awards. Vote the best blog and visit a few you've never heard of.

2004weblogawards.com

Allan, I think I told you before, a lot of US understand your way of thinking, you don't understand US and/or ours.

I've written that a lot over the past 3-4 years in the European forums I've been on.

The Independent had a chat room at prospero until 5/6 of this year. I've felt the love for 3 years. I've been typing the same thing for 3 years. And you guys think America's under some type of groupthink?

Contrary to what you may believe, I'm not talking out of a tinfoil hat or projecting.

You guys don't get us. You never have. But we have 1000 years of Western history to understand you.

Besides, I've been collecting articles from Canada, Britain, Scotland, NZ and Australia on their NHS for arguments against making our economy fall off a cliff by instituting your wishlist.

There's also a few American economists who blog for fun. Arnold Kling has written some interesting things about health care. Herr Doktorprofessor (Krugman) has gone off the deep end. Luskin's a fun place to go for that, he's a libertarian.

Check out Tech Central Station, they have good stuff on lots of stuff.

Read Bill Whittle-ejectejecteject. He's just published a book of his essays which I'll have to get. You might just get an inkling.

BTW, you might also want to start visiting Babalu blog.

Cuba has what you want, free HC and a high literacy rate. Puts that quote into perspective, me thinks.

And a very deadly Bioweapons program, to boot.

And considering almost 50% of Britons don't know what Auschwitz is.....

You might want to start perusing Rantburg and Bros. Judd, if you really want to sharpen your debate skills from your side.

---

Thanks, Totoro, you are always informative. And Kevin, and Ali, and everyone!

Hope to see you surfing around somewhere in this great blogosphere chock full of bloggy goodness!

Like I said, visit Wizbang, vote and check out a few world blogs none of us have heard of.

Oh, and if anyone wants to see pics of Libya, Michael Totten just got back.

The Roman ruins are in good shape, unlike Tripoli.

Sandy,

I'm not sure that this is really such a bad problem. I mean how many non-German people have heard of the Oranienburg or Sachsenhausen (they were a very significant part of Nazi Germnay's death camp system) concentration camps?

A study undetaken a couple of years ago found that British foreigners commonly associated Germany with a negative image. With Hitler, the Nazis and the holocaust being the only thing they knew about Germany. TO be sure not knowing of Auschwitz is mildly disturbing (and slightly unbelievable), but it obviously doesn't mean that the English have forgotten the holocaust.

Besides, is 4000 people really that representative of millions?

Cheers,
Dave.

It's good that you realize you won't be able to stop. My rule, so far for which I've found no exceptions, is that anyone who runs a regular weblog for more than one year will eventually quit, but be unable to stay quit forever.

Best to just admit your addiction. ;-)

Take a well-deserved break Bjørn, and I hope for your return to the blogosphere in a not too distant future. There are many blogs around, but few with quite the same degree of intellectual honesty as yours. True, others write about similar things, but your perspectives are always original.

And if you're tired of blogging and feel you're just speaking to the converted, send something to Norwegian newspapers. For all their political correctness papers like Dagbladet occasionally do publish interesting pieces (Bruce Bawer on anti-Americanism for instance), and you write as good as anyone.

Thanks Björn for the blogging that has been and I look forward to future postings! This is the first time that I write a comment on your blog but I've been a silent reader and admirer of your's for quite a while now even if I don't always agree with you. I wish there was a blogger like you in PC Sweden so I hope that your new job won't demand all your creativity.

Guys, get out more. You might find some of your countrymen posting in America and pointing out their own blogs.

EURSOC has good links.

Living In Europe is more of a 'zine, but one can post there.

The Joy of Knitting is Italian.

Peaktalk is located in Canada, but I think he came from Sweden.

Chrenkoff always has interesting things, and Barcepundit, Iberian Notes, Fredrik Norman....

Bjørn,

I both understand and regret your decision. You have created a great blog with a great community, and I thank you for it (not to mention all the traffic you've sent my way!).

Your clear thinking and political insights are sorely needed in the Norwegian blogosphere. I hope opportunity and inspiration will allow you to write more in the future.

Great blog

Oil-for-food program? You mean 'oil-for-war program'.

Thanks for great reading over the past few years!

I understand your motivation for less blogging in the future. However, I would consider writing shorter pieces; take Glenn Reynolds as an example.

I must admit that some of your entries are so long that I skip reading them in their entirety, simply because I'm way too busy to give that much time. I think the appeal of Instapundit.com lies in the fact that Reynolds has mastered the art of saying a lot, with less.

Thanks, Bjorn. Good luck in your new reassignment. Come back and do let us visit.

Is it true Saudi oil is drying up????

They're using saltwater to flush????

Miss you.

Fuck the code.

Good for you, Bjørn. Yours has been the most reasonable voice I've encountered on the web. But I agree with you -- we have discussed this war and terrorism and America up and down ad nauseum. I have come here primarily to find out what folks on the other side of the Atlantic think about these issues, and I am satisfied now that I know. Thanks for the service.

Very glad to hear that you have found more rewarding work.

- Gill

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it. And yeah, it's working out well at work - I made the right choice.

Dean is right, though, and I do plan to keep the site alive enough to be worth visiting once in a while. I even have some ideas.

Bjorn

My voice also added to the choir of thanks for a great site - I'm glad your new work is working for you.

Best wishes for a fruitful 2005

Pete

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Baltic Blog: Contests and blogs, December 4, 2004 01:46 PM

TALLINN -- Wizbang is running its 2004 Weblog Awards, where you can vote from a choice of 20 blogs in each of 34 different categories. In the "Best European (non-UK) Blog" category, Dissident Frogman, Barcepundit and A Fistful of Euros are in the ...