This blog has two main purposes:

  1. To allow posters to pursue--without restrictions on the length of the conversation, the no. of back-and-forth exchanges etc.--topics that come up in crossword blogs, but are not related to the puzzle itself.
  2. To allow for an open-ended debate of topics that have to do with German or German culture, independently of where the interest in the topic originated (i.e. it does not have to be motivated from another blog).

To be understood up-front: This is not a daily blog. Don't expect me to come up with some topic for discussion every day. You should also know that I never studied German or German literature formally at a university; i.e. my knowledge of the language and culture stems strictly from the fact that Germany is my country of birth and that I've lived there for the first 35 years of my life (interrupted only by 2½ years spent as a grad. student in the US). You should also understand that I have been living abroad for over 30 years now: I'm no longer familar with the current "scene", which I experience only during infrequent visits. And no, I can't answer questions about the recent spelling reform.

Rules of engagement:

  1. We will not discuss religion in any serious way. This rule reflects my disastrous experience with trying to do this on other blogs. Initially, I also included politics among the topics to be avoided--for the same reasons. But the past election proved irresistible for some readers who clearly enjoyed discussing events as they unfolded on a day-by-day basis with like-minded people. As a result, we now have had one active political thread since August 30 without getting into any trouble, basically because we operate underneath the radar of political blogs. Unless this situation changes, there will be one political thread alive at any given time, but not more than one!
  2. We will not discuss issues directly related to a daily crossword puzzle--this blog does not, and could not, compete with blogs whose primary mission this is.
  3. When I think there is a need for it, I will make an empty post available that reads "New topic." Whoever posts first will define that topic. Comments can go in any direction as desired--they are not expected to stay strictly "on topic." If you want to open a new thread, but there is no "New topic" available, please send me e-mail or post a request in the currently most active thread. If someone has a better idea on how to implement this "reader-created new thread" functionality within the confines of Google's bloggerware, please let me know.
  4. Personal insults will not be tolerated.

Last change made to this page:
25 November 2008

Back to KrautBlog