Shutting down this blog
Friday, April 12, 2013 at 8:43AM I've come to the decision that I no longer wish to blog on a daily (okay, "weekdaily") basis, and since I have the option of going to Battleland (thanks to Mark Thompson) for the occasional post as I see fit, I'm going to shut down this aspect of my site.
I've been blogging here since the spring of 2004 and, while it's been fun, I feel like I've run this course . . . enough times - on a creative basis. Anyone who knows me, knows that I will do anything gung-ho so long as I feel creative in the pursuit, but that I'll drop it once that is no longer the case and there are other avenues that seem to offer that buzz in larger amounts.
A number of things factor into this decision - besides the creativity. With the move to Madison, I feel one chapter of my life closing and another opening up. And, as there are big changes afoot in the family (e.g., it's not just my eldest son but my spouse who will attend the UW), I feel there are simply a number of decisions I need to make.
It's much like going through all your stuff before a move and deciding what you absolutely need to keep and what should go to somebody else - or just get tossed. Again, because I can sound off at Battleland at my leisure, I don't see the blogging function going away entirely - just downsized like our household (we were 8 just last summer, and soon to be six in a matter of weeks).
Personally, I love big changes and I love reinvention, so I think this will be good. I'll recast the site somewhat in the weeks ahead, making it more an archive than blog-centric.
I want to thank everybody who stopped by and pitched in over the years. It was a good ride. For the record, this was blog post 12,877.
Those who enjoy the privilege know how to engage me.
So long.
Reader Comments (54)
Hi Tom,
I've read with interest for almost two years and appreciate your perspective. In your absence, is there another blog you would point to that is similar to yours, someone who shares your viewpoint?
Thanks,
You are going to be missed from this forum. Looking forward to following you through other channels.
Guess I will just have to redirect my feed reader to your articles on Batteland. Change of address, but still the same quality we expect.
I'll miss this blog but it was inevitable. Thank you for your enlightened insight & good luck in Madison!
Tom from your first book I was interested and from your first lecture I attended at the JHUAPL I was hooked. You have been an inspiration to numerous Americans concerned about America's future and your factual based reviews need to be taken seriously by those who can use the information that you collect, analyze and write about.
I will remain a fan and admirer.
Best of luck with "Tom's Big Adventure!"
Ditto what Stijn said. You are my go to guy on so many topics. You're insight on the writings of others will be missed.
I've read your blog and I like your vision about globalization. I learn many things from you
Thank You for everything
and where can I follow you?
Tom - You don't know me from Alice's house cat. But I've been folllowing your blog daily since shortly after I saw some of your brief on a local university tv channel perhaps 10 years ago. Your daily (almost) fix of commen sense and interesting, insightful commentary will be sorely missed. I've managed to write 600 blog posts in two years so your total is mind boggling, to say the least. Good luck with everything going forward.
thanks for the insight. congrats on making the tough the decision.
Hopefully you'll still be tweeting?
Well, boy howdy, I've been a regular reader since 04. Thanks so much for all the insight these many years.
Thanks.
A big change for you; a big change for me as well.... You gave me sanity after 9/11, and have continued to ground my thinking in the ensuing years. I will miss the blog, but felt the disengagement happening a long time ago. I knew it was coming. Fair thee well.
Hey Mr. Barnett, long time reader, here. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights through this blog. I hope you will be contributing to Time's Battleland regularly as you've done here.
Well, damn.
All good things, and all that. So it goes.
Thanks for the years of almost daily insight and being the original inspiration for me to re-purpose myself from a business career to one that now spans from being a teacher to a contributor to the amazing organization Wikistrat, that has become the perfect vehicle for exploring a future worth creating.
In the chaotic disjointed aftermath of 9/11 analysis, I stumbled upon you. Where fragments were aplenty. You offered an overarching worldview, that made sense. Connecting our own gaps, if you will. Grounding us with tales of re-balancing and globalizations leveling trajectories. As well as the identity politics, in response.
I'm pretty sure I've read, a good 12,000 of those posts and all the books. Finding other future shapers out there, that you referenced, was a bonus.
So a heartfelt THANKS!
Good luck to you and yours. Get that family stuff right and the rest will follow. Keep me in the loop, on any new writing adventures. Turn the page. The future is limitless.
AWWW! 'Tis a sad day for me. I'll miss the fix that's helped me for over seven years bridge the gap between my morning thyroid pill and the hour or so till food or coffee is allowed.
But, congratulations on nearly 13,000 posts in only nine years. And books and articles and videos and speeches and,.....etc.... Wow!
Best wishes on whatever endeavors are in your future.
Good luck Thomas Barnett! Your blog has been my only political blog following the later years, since I saw your Tedtalk about the new map for pentagon. I enjoy the globalist generalist perspective, which is not to often to be found. Hope you stay active on battleland, will certainly check by there once in awhile!:) Glenn
Well...the closing of your blog is a surprise but understand your explanation. I'll miss reading it to get your slant on issues. I always learned something new. Good luck.
Hey Tom,
Its been a fantastic ride...great post over the years..and I just love your writing style...which I am sure will keep on in many, many avenues...and hey...when are you going to write that sci fi trilogy? I hope you do some day,
Best to you...love all your books...i re read them regulary, you know, i can't even find words..but thanks..you set my mind walking on paths I never would have otherwise,
onward to more great adventures...
Sue
Ah, Critt will be disappointed :)
It was a very good run, Tom - a lot of ideas came together here and that is no small thing.
Tom,
Thank you for your insight -- I'll miss this on my daily rotation. Best of times in Madison!
Tom, especially enjoyed your blogging while researching and writing your books very insightful, thanks.
Your blog was the first blog I ever read and the best blog that I ever read. Best of luck in Madison.
John
Best of luck and keep up the good work.
There are two things that I do faithfully every day. Read the sports page and your blog. I remember not being able to sleep one night and was flipping through the channels and came across the brief on C-Span and was hooked. Was like a good Sunday sermon that put everyday life in perspective. Hope your family found Indiana to be a positive experience, other than the allergies and wish you and your family the best in Wisconsin. I hope you keep all of us informed on your new ventures and I will still be checking the blog daily for anything new.
Long time lurker of your blog posts as well as your books. Thank you for giving me an expanded view of the possible. I'm try and continue to follow your posts on Battleland.
Best of fortunes-as many have said your perspective is refreshing and invites deep reflection. You'll love Madison, its a great town in summer- be sure you take the family to Parfrey's Glen, near (Spirit) Devil's Lake.
Ultimately, it's the human heart we need to work on, ours especially!! - all change that lasts comes from this simple truth. blessings to your family
Thanks Tom for all your posts throughout the years. I looked forward to your insight and wisdom. It takes big brass ones to make that decision! I look forward to following your articles in other forums.
Thanks for the inspiration you have provided to us here for so long.
Tom, this blog has been great over the years. Stimulating, provocative, and eye-opening -- with both education and new insight for the reader ... and some creative disagreement! Thank you for being such a big presence for so long in this medium. Good luck with everything you and your family are doing.
Tom,
Had the pleasure of meeting you in Ottawa back in 1999. Although the issue under discussion was Y2K, your analysis and insight was the first I'd seen that went beyond the simple technical, encompassing the social and political. In 2004 I found your blog and have rarely missed an article. While there are many "Strategic Thinkers" out there, you have always demonstrated a unique ability to take the long term view.
Wishing you and your family all the best
I also regret that Tom is shutting down his blog.It was a source of inspiration with many new perspectives.There are only a few blogs of comparable quality.Hope to hear and read from you in TIME Battleland and other publications.Especially for Germans Tom offered an interesting world view.
Always love your perspective. I'll add my voice to the others here in saying this blog will be missed. Best wishes to you sir. Looking forward to catching your articles on Battleland.
Hi Tom,
Great job. I enjoyed being a regular reader and appreciate the time and effort you devoted to this blog. You even responded to a couple of questions I emailed during grad school, which meant a lot. Thank you!
I'll miss seeing you here. well done.
My best to you and all your family.
No!!
But, on the bright side, I can look at the archive, because frankly, it is huge and I didn't see everything!
To use a tired internet meme PROPERLY, thank you for this truly "epic" blog!
I just wanted to echo the thanks for all of your efforts and insights. I've read the blog multiple times per week (along with your three recent books) ever since luckily seeing one of your briefs on CSPAN years ago.
You have been enormously open and generous. Thank you and best wishes for the future.
It was a great ride reading your thoughts.
Definitely miss reading your take on things over the long arc .
Will miss your daily bit of sanity and general sense of optimism for the future. Best wishes for you and your family.
Thanks for all your efforts! I followed religously while I was at a desk job in DC starting in 2008 after I saw you present your brief. Since changing jobs, I've been checking in weekly. I will really miss your blogs!
Thankyou Tom for all the insightful posts about the world and Globalisation. I've only a been follower of yours since early last year when I saw you TED talk and I was hooked. Since then I've worked my way through your presentations and two of your books (halfway through the third now). As a young student of international politics, I thank you for truly changing my entire world view and inspiring me to reach for the stars. I hope the move goes well as well as all your future endeavours, I will continue to follow you on Battleland.
I also hope that this means that their might be another book in the works, God knows the world needs it!
We knew this day would come, yes?
The moment rings true.
Like Waterford crystal.
Good vibes :)
Have been following you since the War College days. Have always been amazed by how much you manage to accomplish, both personally and professionally. Will miss the blog. Best wishes to you and the family in Madison. Thanks for all you've shared.
Thanks Tom for the many years of thoughtful and beautifully written pieces that have been shared. I have been reading you since 2005 and am the better for it.
Good luck in Madison -- and go Packers!!!!
Your "old lady in Skokie" friend,
Mary Kelly
I've been in denial about this disturbing development for nine days now, and it is finally sinking in that this is not just another of Tom's little jokes.
Tom, I have been endlessly amazed at your capacity to use the blog as a vehicle to pour out (and work out) your ideas, insights, and frustrations, while simultaneously holding down some form of a 'real job.' Your perspective has not only been invaluable to my personal understanding of the world, you have inspired me to change my ambitions, and make different career decisions than I otherwise would have made. Thank you.
I refuse to believe that the return to Madison is anything less than an indicator that you have accepted a chair in the department of international relations, and will be watching to see if you will teach. You are a natural to teach an online program, and could undoubtedly adopt the massive multi-player model to such an endeavor under the auspices of UW, with a battalion of TA's grading submissions while you crank out the videos and moderate the odd discussion. Perhaps a nice course on strategic futures? I will look for the bulletin. We need guys like you to do that work, because Lord knows we need strategically competent leaders for our future.
I will be looking for more, when you turn the next insight into print.
One thousand times "Thank you."
v/r Jay Kay
Well, another door opens. We are moving bck to the Chicago area after 17 good years in Southern California. Back to family and the "old" friends. I don't know if "change is good" but it keeps you mentally challenged and brushes away the cobwebs. Best of luck Tom. Walleye filets and bratwurst.
Tom, you will be missed. Your clear and multi-nuanced take on everything is an education in straight thinking. I thank you for ruthlessly vaporizing the last vestiges of Boomer-ness from my consciouseness, and I want you to know I have cured a few myself with your help, And it is no small feat to turn apocalyptic pessimists into reasoned, provisional, Humanistic optimists.
For fun, I have played around with knocking a hole in your logic, finding your blind spot, a real specialty of mine. I think the blind spot in Globalization in general is the toxicity it generates, like killing off the oceans if it tips over the balance. But you factor all that in as well. Every facet of the jewel gets your attention. I am only a humble hobbyist!
It also seems to me that it takes a great courage to do optimism as you do, it is certainly not naivete. I would call that being impeccable.
I had a couple of teachers in my life who gave me a gift so big, I could never possibly repay it. The only thing one can do is to pass it along to others. It is, after all, a transmission.
I just wanted you to have even a small inkling of the ripple effect you have created here.
Maybe I will have to get on Wikistrat and play some games, but I am only a Composer, Guitarist and Geopolitical Strategist-Hobbyist after all.
I lift my glass to you, my friend. Hope we meet for a beer some day.
Peace and Cheers,
E.
Not often in life does one get those lightbulb moments, you have given me many. I will miss your insight and your wonderful family. Best of luck in the future, hope to see you again on C-Span.