This amusing attempt to explain why Germany (apparently) has fewer blogs than Iran comes from the blog: raskal trippin: hopscotch adventures of an exiled new yorker in berlin:
"From Papa Scott's post, I ended up here and then read this interesting blog fact at TrendBlog: There are 42 000 German weblogs. World wide there are 14 million weblogs, Iran has 65 000 blogs. Thus Germany is a developing country concerning blogs.
An attempt to explain why - Here's my Dave Letterman Top Ten (all in fun).
Top 10 Reasons Why Germany has Less Blogs than Iran
10. Humor?
9. Opinionated German bloggers risk being called Na.zis by the irate, deranged and mentally disturbed commenters who lurk in the Blogosphere.
8. People will find out how great Germany is and cause a mass migration of (gasp) foreigners!
7. On the internet, no one cares about someone's Dipl-X or Dr.
6. Blogging is not required.
5. No one famous has a blog yet. Olli Kahn, Boris Becker, Joschka... It all rides on you.
4. Hartv IV cut back on social benefits for DSL.
3. Der Blog, Die Blog, oder Das Blog?
2. Ein-Euro-Jobs don't have internet access.
1. No one can figure out the Neue Rechtschreibung."
You'd think with unemployment as high as it is in Germany that the number of bloggers sitting at home in their pajamas would explode. Perhaps the cutbacks in social benefits and the "Ein-Euro-Jobs" really are taking a larger toll than we first anticipated.
Anyway, the thought of Joschka Fischer or Boris Becker starting a blog is, well, absolutely frightening...
Note: We at Medienkritik can absolutely confirm point number 9: Our site experiences almost daily outbursts by "irate, deranged and mentally disturbed commenters who lurk in the Blogosphere." It's all part of the fun that goes with having a comments section.
thanks for the link... and uh correcting my grammar. how embarrasing :D
Posted by: sattva | March 21, 2005 at 09:50 PM
One reason why there are fewer German blogs:
Every time you go on the web, it's "Weh! Weh! Weh!"
Posted by: Karl Lembke | March 21, 2005 at 09:55 PM
@ sattva:
Sorry...I couldn't help myself...I taught English for 3 years in Germany. Great (funny) post! :)
---Ray D.
Posted by: Ray D. | March 21, 2005 at 09:59 PM
The 42,000 German blogs fill the Web's hard-coded umlaut quota.
Posted by: PacRim Jim | March 21, 2005 at 10:46 PM
The would-be bloggers are too busy translating Wikipedia articles into German. Second most popular language... 210,000+ and growing, more than twice as many as the third most popular, Japanese.
Posted by: | March 22, 2005 at 02:55 AM
PacRim Jim, if that's true then I'll bet that Jacque ChIraq will soon make Wikipedia a French government priority, the same way he's demanding that EU taxpayers foot the bill for a French Google competitor.
Posted by: Lou Minatti | March 22, 2005 at 03:41 AM
Number one reason Germans don't blog..
it's too much like work!
(I remember growing up hearing about how Germans were the most diligent workers, the most attentive craftsmen, intensely proud of their fine engineering and quality products.. now they're mostly "phoning it in", or on some government program of "retraining" so that the government doesn't have to report them as unemployed but is nonetheless supporting them with public funds. Or else they're like the Belgians or French, taking so much holiday time that they can't possibly get any actual work done. A sad time for a once-great country.)
Posted by: Dave | March 22, 2005 at 09:36 AM
must have something to do with those pajamas. probably forbidden to wear them out of the bedroom.
Posted by: jan (belgium) | March 22, 2005 at 10:16 AM
A call to order, once again.
The purpose of this blog was to point out the dismal one-sidedness and stupidity of German Media, not to engage in general Germany bashing / anti Germanism....
The blog does well when it does its original job. It is counter-productive when falling to the latter.
Don´t ruin the blog. Don´t drive those away trying to imprive things.
Posted by: Ricardo the Third | March 22, 2005 at 02:19 PM
correction : " improve "
Posted by: Ricardo the Third | March 22, 2005 at 02:21 PM
Dave,
bad work morale is mostly caused by our insanely high tax rates. We've got a tax system that is progressive with a vengeance, so you have to monitor your income carefully, least you end up with a lower after-tax wage after a before-tax pay-rise.
Posted by: Ralf Goergens | March 22, 2005 at 03:19 PM
@ Ricardo The Third
I think that the lack of good blogs and alternative sources for news and opinion in Germany certainly has a lot to do with the subject of Medienkritik. Perhaps the reasons given are tongue in cheek but check reason 10 i.e Humour. Would you like to give us your insight on why you think that there are so few blogs in this country? Reasons 9 and 5 are certainly true but what are the causes? and just how many of the blogs that are existing here are in some ways influenced/ or run by foreigners or those who started blogging when abroad? My guess is that it is a lot. I certainly tell a lot of people about blogs like this, Medienkritik Online, No Blood For Sauerkraut or Politically Incorrect. Most people I tell havent even heard of blogs or would never think of making their own but thoroughly enjoy them. There is an interest but a lack of activity and until then we can all read the Spiegel because its not quite as crap as Stern!
Posted by: Doughnut Boy Andy | March 22, 2005 at 03:41 PM
I don´t read Spiegel or Stern, nor listen to radio or crap TV. A glance occasionally is sufficient.
As for German blogs, I don´t give a hoot how many there are.
So what, Greece has more blogs than Germany. Who cares ?
Most of the "reasons" 1 to 10 above are a "Verarschnung" of Germans. That is not the road to take, IMO, that´s all.
Posted by: Ricardo the Third | March 22, 2005 at 04:04 PM
So far the only German blogs I have read, aside from site and a couple linked by this site, are personal blogs, online diaries without interest to anyone outside the writer's circle of friends. Whether this says anything about present-day German culture, I'm not sure, but I'll hazard a guess: There isn't much of a culture of debate in this country; instead there is a culture of consensus. Since most people agree on general political issues (e.g. "Bush is an idiot"), they just blog about their personal lives for amusement.
Posted by: kid charlemagne | March 22, 2005 at 04:07 PM
As of late, it seems that blogs in the USA and elsewhere are mostly a thing for right-wing crazies. Most normal people don't think that every inane political thought that pops into their head is a topic for world discussion. Maybe Germans aren't mental exhibitionists in the same sense that Americans are, maybe the culture of the confessional hasn't taken hold to the same degree that it has here... yet. If past trends are any indication, the Germans will be 5 to 10 years behind us. By the time they start blogging, it could very well morph into a mostly left-wing phenomenon in the USA (given the rightward turn of the MSM). Then you'll all be in trouble. Blogging could very well be the thing that brings back Communism (Marxists, like Republican pundits, tend to be narcissists).
Posted by: | March 22, 2005 at 04:11 PM
@ Ricardo,
Oh please... I think that we (the people who run the blog) are the ones to decide what we post here. Are you trying to say that the mainstream media never posts anything funny, ironic or off-beat? I think one of the major problems in German society in general is that too many people take themselves and everything around them far too seriously. A little bit of humor and humility never hurt anyone.
Lighten up and have another look at point 10!
---Ray D.
Posted by: Ray D. | March 22, 2005 at 04:18 PM
Ray D. ,
don´t tell me to lighten up, please.
I almost made it to your demo and support greatly the efforts made to change the German media. If you want to lose one supporter, ok. My only point is and remains : if the style of the blog goes to anti-Germanism you are indeed similiar to Stren and Co. and is counterproductive.
It´s like when Stern and Co. claim their anti-Stuff is humor or satire. Nothing to do with humor.
I am an extremely funny guy, BTW.
Regards
Posted by: Ricardo the Third | March 22, 2005 at 04:43 PM
The major problem in German society is that they have a Third Reich past and since then the Left have by default dominated public opinion.
They have still not overcome this.
Lack (supposed) of humor as an explaination for anything is absurd.
Posted by: Ricardo the Third | March 22, 2005 at 04:52 PM
Perhaps I should change my initial introductionary phrase " A call to order " to simply " A plea " , so as to not question ownership or authority. ( not ironically written)
Posted by: Ricardo the Third | March 22, 2005 at 05:10 PM
@Ricardo:
Your above statement (second up from this one) is an interesting statement. It does seem to correlate with an observation that I've made recently, that because of the country's past, Germans today seem to be so hyper-sensitive about being accused of "right wing" views that they will tolerate out-and-out Communism rather than say or do anything politically incorrect.
I'll have to admit this puzzles me. As an American, I certainly don't blame today's Germans for the Nazis; heck, most Germans alive today weren't born yet when WWII ended. It makes no more sense than it would to blame today's Japanese for Pearl Harbor. I make it a point not to blame people for the real or supposed sins of their parents -- there's way too much of that sort of thing today as it is.
Now let me ask you a question: It does appear to me that there is a certain disengagement, if you will, from debate in German culture. Feel free to disagree, but if you think I have a point, then what do you think is the cause? Is the fear of being perceived as politically incorrect that pervasive in German society? And if so, wouldn't you agree that this is a problem?
(Of course, the question you would then throw back at me is: "Okay, if it's a problem, then what is your solution?" I'll admit to not having a ready answer. I joked once before about the need for a Radio Free Western Europe. Hmmm...)
Posted by: Cousin Dave | March 22, 2005 at 07:00 PM
Germans work hard with moderate leaders, but when they swing to the left (National Socialists, Socialists), they are insufferable. As Churchill said, Germans are either at your feet or at your throat.
Posted by: PacRim Jim | March 22, 2005 at 07:42 PM
Germans work hard with moderate leaders, but when they swing to the left (National Socialists, Socialists), they are insufferable. As Churchill said, Germans are either at your feet or at your throat.
Posted by: PacRim Jim | March 22, 2005 at 07:43 PM
PacRim Jim,
That 'either at your feet or at your throat' thing goes for any authoritarian society and was true when we indeed had such a society, but that hasn't been the case for many decades now.
Besides, with me it's 'at your throat' all the time. :)
Posted by: Ralf Goergens | March 22, 2005 at 07:49 PM
@ Cousin Dave,
(as a side note on your blame comment , a lot of those really responsible for the IIIReich were in their 40s, 50s or 60 s IN the 1930s even )
As for your question of „ disengagement from debate“ , I´m sorry , I do not know. All of these deductions, observations etc people do about the assumed or proven qualities of other countries cultures and people are greatly suspect to me. Mayby I´m too stupid , not insensitive, but over my head, could well be.
The closest I can come to answering your question is still the thing about the quasi non-existence of a strong conservative or moderate right wing force in Germany. The CDU is proportionally popular ok, but they are a rather non vocal bunch, a silent force , so to speak, as conservatives often are. The left are always active and bolsterous and attracting the best young heads. They DID and DO a whole lot of debate. You should a heard em dabate years ago in University etc. Awesome, destructive nonsense. They rarely debate their ideology , in possible favor of „Democracy“ however.
As for futher aspects of your question, we are back to general anti-Americanism etc.
AND ..... to give the young people a fair break here: I am not into schooling, I do NOT know what kids actually discuss and if there might be a lot more debate than we think (or I know about) . I can well imagine , however it being channeled by the allknowing, the - fear of the sky is falling - / -can hear the grass growing - teachership.
Enough for now.
I come today to a certain conclusion : that when two groups are fighting, either join the one or the other and ask no questions OR get as far away as possible from them all.
Posted by: Ricardo the Fourth | March 22, 2005 at 08:42 PM
"Ray D. ,
don´t tell me to lighten up, please.
I almost made it to your demo and support greatly the efforts made to change the German media. If you want to lose one supporter, ok."
Hey Ricardo, if you are that weak a supporter that you would abandon us over something this small, insignificant and clearly intended to be humorous and in good fun, then I think that is pretty unfortunate for you.
"My only point is and remains : if the style of the blog goes to anti-Germanism you are indeed similiar to Stren and Co. and is counterproductive."
"Anti-Germanism"? This piece is anti-German? We are like Stern and Co.? This article has nothing to do with humor?
I think I will let our readers decide for themselves.
---Ray D.
Posted by: Ray D. | March 22, 2005 at 09:01 PM
I actually find the list quite funny.
But of course, the real reason is: Germans don't discuss politics without having a few "mass" of beer, at least not in Bavaria. The internet is "too dry".
As for the Iranians, blogging may be there only way to talk politics or voice their opinion, so that explains the boom.
Posted by: Eurobanker | March 23, 2005 at 12:16 AM
LOL! I especially like #6.
Posted by: Nick Speth | March 23, 2005 at 07:23 AM
>> My only point is and remains : if the style of the blog goes to anti-Germanism you are indeed similiar to Stern and Co. and is counterproductive.
> "Anti-Germanism"? This piece is anti-German? We are like Stern and Co.? This article has nothing to do with humor?
> I think I will let our readers decide for themselves.
As one of "your" readers here, I have to say I share Ricardo III's view. Mind the "if"!
Posted by: Martina Zitterbart | March 23, 2005 at 10:59 AM
Gehört zwar hier nicht rein, aber habe eben diesen Kommentar im Blog von
Dr. Bittner auf der Zeit-Homepage gelesen:
.....Und dann wieder der alte Arafat, dessen Tod angeblich auf einmal den Frieden in Palästina ermöglichen soll. Ich sage Ihnen, wenn der Friede wirklich eine Chance haben soll - und wenn er etwas mit Gerechtigkeit zu tun haben soll - dann müssten einige Leute auf israelischer Seite Arafat in die Grube folgen, angefangen mit Arik Sharon.....Yahya C. Isenmann 22.03.2005
Und zwei Wochen vorher zensiert Bittner Kommentare mit der Begründung:
...Meine persönliche Schmerzgrenze liegt da relativ hoch.
Ich will aber nur mal ein Beispiel für die Geschmacklosigkeiten anführen, die mancher Zeitgenosse hier so absondert:
"Schade, dass Frau Sgrena noch lebt."....
Posted by: platt | March 23, 2005 at 11:45 AM
Pac Rim Jim said, "As Churchill said, Germans are either at your feet or at your throat."
Ralf replied, "That 'either at your feet or at your throat' thing goes for any authoritarian society and was true when we indeed had such a society, but that hasn't been the case for many decades now."
Unfortunately, we have to add another dimension of German attack. Since the Schroder/Fischer coalition, Germans are either at your feet (with the French) or are stabbing you in the back, (the Americans).
Sorry Ralph, Schroeder has broken 60 years of German contrition. Germany is now playing a maverick ball game...sidling with Arab dictators, trading with China, allowing Al Quida to recruit right under their noses and voting for Koffi Anan in the UN despite the growing proof of corruption in the UN.
Posted by: George M | March 23, 2005 at 02:41 PM
Well most bloggers are fat-asses, who are not able anymore to walk out of their own front door! wow sounds like the typically american, probably thats why the usa have so many bloggers!
most germans have better things to do than to sit the whole day infront of the KOMM-PUTER!
cheers and get some hamburgers, fatass americans!
Posted by: | March 23, 2005 at 03:17 PM
11. Because Germans have skinnier asses than Iranians?
Posted by: Germerican | March 23, 2005 at 04:16 PM
Germerican, LOL!
Posted by: kid charlemagne | March 23, 2005 at 04:50 PM
Martina and Ricardo
I have been lurking around this blog now for quite a few months. I do not remember any post that was anti-German. I do remember a fair number of comments that were or may have been anti-German, but Ray and David have a fairly tolerant view toward comments so you ought not to blame them for anyone's comments.
I do think there have been a few posts that were not very weighty. The German blogs one probably qualifies. So what: we can't go around predicting the end of civilization every day.
Posted by: Jeff | March 23, 2005 at 05:26 PM
@ Niko
"No, I'm not drunk"
Why not? Its almost 6pm!
Posted by: Doughnut Boy Andy | March 23, 2005 at 05:58 PM
@ Niko
Sorry, you have erred. Pi for example is real but not rational.
Posted by: Jeff | March 23, 2005 at 06:01 PM
My mind is not up to German philosophers. And it was a dirty trick of Luther to pick different variants of the same word from different dialects to mean different things. Very confusing to us ignorant Americans.
Posted by: Jeff | March 23, 2005 at 06:34 PM
> I do not remember any post that was anti-German. I do remember a fair number of comments that were or may have been anti-German, but Ray and David have a fairly tolerant view toward comments so you ought not to blame them for anyone's comments.
So you essentially agree?
Posted by: Martina Zitterbart | March 23, 2005 at 06:48 PM
@ Martina
I am sorry: I do not know how to prevent this from sounding argumentative.
"So you essentially agree?" With what am I supposed to be agreeing?
My point was that the posts, which are all David and Ray are responsible for, have not shown any anti-German bias in my opinion. I tried to distinguish comments from posts and pointed out that the comments on this site cover a vast range of views, including some quite hostile to what David and Ray are saying. As for those comments that seem to me to be anti-German, they are a minority that are seldom pursued and are sometimes controverted.
I do not think that that was what you were implying so I suspect we are not agreeing at all.
Posted by: Jeff | March 23, 2005 at 07:27 PM
Not looking to be contrarian but . . .
1. . . "Maybe Germans aren't mental exhibitionists in the same sense that Americans are,
American's are a "simplistic" lot who see the world only in "black and white."
Unless of course they aren't and don't, in which case they suddenly become uummm . . . mental exhibitionists???
2. . . (given the rightward turn of the MSM).
Like the accusation of this site being "anti-germanism!" One voice out of the entire crowd of German media doesn't parrot the statist line and they start bemoaning the "rightwing" turn of the MSM.
One news station in the U.S.A., FOX, is proof of that mythical and dreaded rightwing shift in the American mainstream media???
And you know, that is an absolutely true statement . . . if you are willing to overlook ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, PBS, CNN, NPR, Pacifica Radio, NYTimes, WashPost, LATimes, etc, etc, etc . . .
The surest sign one has never been to America, or is so ideological that he only sees only what he wanted to see, is the "all knowing" comment about the "conservative control" of the media in America.
Jean Francois Revel is correct in his observation that the vast preponderence of Anti-Americanism in Europe, coming down in the negative on both sides of every topic, isn't intellectual, it is simply emotional obsession.
Tyranno
Posted by: Tyranno | March 23, 2005 at 08:02 PM
@Jeff
>> With what am I supposed to be agreeing?
That it would be counterproductive if this blog went anti-German
Posted by: Martina Zitterbart | March 23, 2005 at 09:00 PM
@ Martina
Oh yes I do agree with that. I think I have made something of a pest of myself insisting that people who elect to comment on a site devoted to fairness and accuracy have an obligation to attempt to be fair and accurate themselves.
The people who really need to consider the points made on this blog are Germans. A bunch of anti-German hate speech in the comments is not likely to attract many German readers. But I sincerely do not believe that any such is coming from Ray and David. At worst, they may occasionally overreact to some piece of loopiness, but all of us overreact from time to time. The post about the blogs was intended as humor, not serious commentary.
Posted by: Jeff | March 23, 2005 at 11:01 PM
I like the "Rechtschreibung" reason, and of course Eurobanker's explanation. Several years ago though, when I was living in Bavaria, I was following the German newsgroups a lot (mostly Linux). Very lively. Maybe the newsgroups are still very active and the potential bloggers are there...
Posted by: canadian | March 27, 2005 at 07:46 AM
Ein-Euro-Jobs?
Can someone explain what this statement means? I tried a search on Google and all te hits were German language sites. Since I am not able to read German they don't help much.
What does it refer to?
czcdude
Posted by: czdude | March 27, 2005 at 09:13 PM