Kind Words
Jeremy Young, a.k.a. “Nonpartisan“, the founder and editor the respected and popular, left-wing, history group blog, Progressive Historians, had some kind words for me when he was interviewed by Scott McLemee, for an article for Inside Higher Ed.com:
“I’m a liberal,” Young says. “ZenPundit” (Mark Safranski) is a conservative. So what? His history blog is one of the most best reads on the ‘Net. Whether he’s discussing small wars theory, political history, or Jack Kerouac, he’s unfailingly thorough and offers a unique, insightful perspective on every issue he covers.”
That was darn nice of Jeremy to offer up ( incidentally, Young has an article online over at HNN, “A Historian Against Obama“, arguing that progressive hopes for a Barack Obama administration may be misplaced), particularly in a venue where readers were not likely to have heard of Zenpundit. I think much the same way about visiting Progressive Historians where Young has a stable of talented contributors, mostly younger scholars, digging into a wide range of historical and political issues and frequently engaging in vigorous debate. Despite my being on the conservative side of the spectrum I’ve never been made to feel anything but welcome in the comments section despite a wide divergence in political and economic views ( very wide, in some instances, as many Progressive Historian bloggers are well to the Left of Young, to say nothing of me).
This is how the blogosphere ought to be more often. Thanks Jeremy, much appreciated!
December 5th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Not a problem (and thanks for your link as well). I’ll note only that our "mostly younger scholars" have been trending older of late — we’ve got at least three writers now who are over sixty, and one who is a tenured professor in his fifties. (Apparently blogging ages you fast!)
Thanks again.
December 5th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Thanks for the post Zen, I am always interested in reading what everyone has to say as long as it is said well. Jeremy noted that several writers are past sixty, I’ve noted that during my recent passage through academia, that many of my cohorts were close to my age, ie, early 66-Vietnam Vet.
I have also found that blogging actually is an elixer for youth, by keeping one on the cutting edge of ideas.
December 6th, 2007 at 5:04 am
Hi Jeremy,
I stand corrected – group blogs do shift membership over time and a variety of experience is so much the better. Thanks to you as well!
Hi HG99
My friend Bruce Kesler at Democracy Project is in your age/experience cohort. Maybe Austin Bay as well (not sure there) I’m located in-between you guys and Jeremy- the internet is great for connecting ppl across all kinds of spectrums.