Jacob Christensen

Moving offices is drawing ever closer.

The content of the two “About” pages (About me; About the blog) dates back to 2005 when I started blogging here and at the time I didn’t put too much effort into the descriptions. My internet presence was the side-effect of something else and there really was no need to be too specific about who I was or what I did (or could do). Also, I have another domain – jacobchristensen.eu – which I have never quite figured out what to do with but when registration of .eu-domains was opened, I figured out that I might want it. I was always frustrated by jacobchristensen.dk not being available (Actually, that domain appears not be active) and somehow the idea of splitting content between a “personal” (.name) and a “professional” (.eu) attracted me. At least in theory: The .eu-site has always been a place-holder.

But let us start with jacobchristensen.name as it is.

“About the blog” is the easy bit so I’ll take that first.

Here is what I wrote in 2005 (with some later editing):

This blog contains comments and reviews of Danish and Swedish politics – and on occasion other countries – notes on political science and comments about social or research matters.

The blog has no posting policy as such: Occasionally I’ll post a bunch of entries during one day, occasionally there will be some days between posts, but I try to post whenever something interesting happens in one of the two countries and I have the time to write a comment.

Why Danish and Swedish politics? Because I taught Swedish and comparative politics back then and because I have a professional curiosity about issues and developments in the two countries. Also, the writing would give you an idea of how I approach and analyse social and political issues. I occasionally joke about the blog having an imagined readership of five: This is not just self-deprecating humour, it also reflects why the blog came into being originally. It was – and is – an alternative to e-mail conversations. I don’t really have a political agenda (even if you could probably figure out where I stand from reading a number of posts) and I generally don’t blog about my current work or places of work here. Call it superstition or discretion.

Anyway, as this is a work of interest and not my day-job I think it is ok that I post about issues that interest me (note that art, books and music have also found their way into the blog). I find that while compartmentalising my internet presence has sounded like a good idea in theory (see above regarding .name and .eu), I have never quite been able to carry it out in practice. For better for worse, my Twitter and Facebook streams are a mix of the serious and the hilarious. In some ways, Twitter has made it easier for me to stay on a more serious note here (I see Twitter and to some degree Facebook as virtual coffee machines – a vital part of any Scandinavian office).

Still, what would I write today? How about this:

The blog reflects my professional interest in Danish and Swedish politics and social matters. The aim of posts about these subjects is to deepen my understanding of what is happening in the two countries and invite to discussions with friends and colleagues, not to promote a particular political point of view or to present my work.

I also occasionally post about art, music and books that have caught my attention but as I am not an art (or music or literary) expert, these posts more or less reflect what interests me when I am not working.

Comments – either in the comments form or by mail or on Twitter (write @jacobchr) – are more than welcome! I’ll get back to the “About me” page which also needs a revision in the next couple of days.

I managed to run my head against things (or have my head run against things) both literally and figuratively. At least the physical wounds were superficial (but unpleasant)

Obviously, it is from Steven Paul “Steve” Jobs:

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

Provided there are no technical hiccups, I will be live (and later available through a podcast) with Messrs Guan Yang and Steffen Christensen at 20:00 CEST at http://podcast.dk/live discussing the Danish election. The conversation will – AFAIK – be in Danish.

I’ve had the day from Hell with flooding in my cellar, so: Apologies but I’m not really up to something today.

Nothing happened.

No, really. Weird.

Obviously, three weeks is too long time for an election campaign. Well, maybe Debatten on DR2 will bring some welcome entertainment.

Weatherwise, this photo sums up the summer in Denmark pretty well.

The July weather is unimpressive (unless you are into deluges) but it makes for some pretty impressive sunsets.

Since my guest post on Ideas on Europe has led various people to contact me with different kinds of offers, then let me just note that:

I do not accept unsolicited guest posts nor offers about advertising. This is a personal blog and on the few occasions when I have let others publish on this site, this has been from people I know very well in real life.

If you have specific comments to posts, you are welcome to write a comment but please note that all comments are moderated to avoid spam.

Kthxbai