Boviosity!

My first blog ever was Jorn Barger's Robotwisdom.com. I checked it several times every day because Jorn could always be counted on to find cool things. I learned of the Telegarden, Hojoy, Terraserver, Elliott Smith, and many other things though robotwisdom.

Also, through various hints and occasional links, I realized that he, like me, was a fan of Kate Bush.

I also saw a disturbing glimpse into the mind of pro-terrorism, pro-palestinian America, complete with conspiracy theories and jew-bashing. Oh, at first I was able to believe that his support for divestiture from Israel was the product of an honest political difference; and that his detailed and disturbing interest in the USS Cole bombing was something other than cheerleading. That was before he posted a link to a story about Israeli self-preservation under the headline, "Is Judaism simply a religion of lawless racists?" Now, the page has become a gateway into commondreams and other disturbing (not in the "makes you think" sense, I hasten to add; they'd take that rightfully as a compliment. No, I mean in the, "What the hell are these people on ?" sense) anti-American sites, links to Ted Rall, Michael Moore, and the like (usually described as "righteous".) It became quite a slog, but the occasional interesting science, photography or programming link made it worth a continued look.

The site hasn't been updated since early October and I wonder what's up with Jorn. Especially since numerous things have happened since he stopped posting that I would expect him to be very interested in posting on.

For instance, a couple years back, Elliott Smith couldn't fart without Jorn posting on it. And now Smith has died, a suicide. Nothing on Robotwisdom.

The changing situation in Iraq and Israel should have the place humming.

Needless to say, commondreams is still publishing. He usually links two or three of their articles per week.

Jorn's last usenet posting was, apparently, at the same time robotwisdom went dark.

He's taken time off before, notably in December of 2001 due to financial difficulties. But that was alluded and hinted at long prior to his dark period.

What's up with Jorn?

Jorn, if you're out there, say hello. I worry about you, yah lunatic yah.

Update: Commenter Eric Wagoner reports that Jorn is also physically missing. Damn, damn, damn. Those who can pray over this will surely do so. The rest of you, keep him in your thoughts. Jorn, we care about you!