Letters by Burk #143: Blogging Days

Also, blogging platforms, Scandinavia, WWI, WWII, and more

Sep 17, 2024

macbook pro on brown wooden table — Photo by Justin Morgan on Unsplash

Hi friends,

I’ve been blogging online since 2008.

That seems like an eternity, but I wasn’t doing it regularly or consistently until the late 2010s. And even then, it was only in German (my mother tongue, in case you didn’t know).

Only from the 2020s on did I write my stuff in English. And man, that opened up a lot of doors. First and foremost, Medium writing. I discovered Medium in 2021 and was quickly in love with the platform. Making a good amount of money there helped a lot, too, of course.

I was so into Medium that I ditched all my other writing platforms (like WordPress and Vocal) for Medium at one point. It was going great.

But then, I figured having only one platform might not be the best idea. For safety reasons, for example.

So I discovered Substack. Another huge platform for me.

Now, I thought about my 15+ years in blogging and the platforms I’ve used over this period of time. In fact, there weren’t many.

So, what are the best blogging platforms today? 2024 and 2025? In case you’re looking for one. Or an additional safety net for your Substack or Medium content.

Below you’ll find an answer to that question ↓

But first, let me give you my favorite quote:

#1 Main Story:

The Top 5 Blogging Platforms For 2025 (Really)

Blogging isn’t going anywhere in 2025.

As much as some might think that blogging is dead, it’s far from it. In fact, blogging as a whole I still a growing field of content creation, thanks to trending platforms, good old staples, and the increasing appeal of writing and email marketing.

Whether you’re sharing personal stories, building your business, or establishing yourself as an expert in your field, blogging is and probably will always be a powerful way to connect with an audience.

But with so many platforms out there, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. From beginners to pros, each of the platforms offers something different.

To make your choice a little easier, I’ve put together a rundown of the top 5 blogging platforms for 2025.

You might not have guessed some of those.

Read the rest

#2 Off Topic:

The Failed Movement to Unite Norway and Sweden

Do you want to know about one of the least known historical events that never happened but could have shaped Europe before WWI and WWII and easily prevented both?

This is the story of how a proposed union in Northern Europe could have changed the entire world.

Read the full story

#4 Fun Facts

Staying with the historical theme today:

Here are 10 lesser-known facts about Europe before World War I:

1. The Rise of Pan-Slavism: In the years before WWI, Pan-Slavism—an ideology promoting the unity of all Slavic peoples—gained momentum, especially in Russia and the Balkans. Serbia, in particular, saw itself as the leader of this movement, which clashed with Austria-Hungary’s control over Slavic populations in Bosnia and other regions.

2. Socialist Movements: Socialist and labor movements were gaining serious traction in many European countries, especially Germany and France. The Second International, an organization of socialist and labor parties, often debated the threat of war. Ironically, many believed that the growing power of workers would prevent a large-scale conflict.

3. The Decline of Aristocracy: Although still influential, Europe’s traditional aristocracies were in decline. Industrialization and the rise of the middle class were shifting power away from old land-owning elites. This created a lot of anxiety among Europe’s monarchies, which were increasingly out of touch with modern political movements.

4. Albanian Independence: In 1912, Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire. This small, often overlooked event had large consequences in the Balkans, particularly because Serbia wanted access to the Adriatic Sea and saw Albanian independence as a threat. It also contributed to the broader instability in the region.

5. Women’s Suffrage Movements: Though typically overshadowed by other political movements, women’s suffrage was gaining ground across Europe. In countries like the UK, the suffragettes were increasingly militant in their demands for voting rights. These movements were not only about voting but also challenged traditional gender roles in a rapidly changing society.

6. Scientific Optimism: Pre-WWI Europe was also marked by great scientific optimism. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw breakthroughs in physics, medicine, and chemistry. Many believed that technological progress would usher in a new era of peace and prosperity, not realizing that these advancements would soon be used in warfare.

7. German Naval Expansion: While the Anglo-German naval arms race is well-known, it’s often forgotten that Germany’s naval ambitions were a relatively new phenomenon. Kaiser Wilhelm II had a fascination with building a powerful navy, seeing it as a symbol of Germany’s rising power. The sudden increase in naval construction threatened Britain’s longstanding dominance of the seas, heightening tensions.

8. The Belle Époque: The pre-war period, especially in France, is often referred to as the Belle Époque or “Beautiful Era.” It was a time of artistic, cultural, and economic flourishing. Paris was the center of art, fashion, and culture, with famous names like Picasso, Monet, and Proust defining the era. Many Europeans thought this period of progress and prosperity would last indefinitely.

9. Ethnic Tensions in the Austro-Hungarian Empire: Beyond the well-known Slavic tensions, there were other ethnic struggles within Austria-Hungary. The Czechs, for example, were pushing for greater autonomy, and there were similar nationalist movements among Romanians, Slovaks, and Croats. The empire was a complex patchwork of nationalities, all of which felt they were being unfairly governed by either the Austrian or Hungarian elite.

10. Italy’s Desire for Territory: Italy, a member of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, was in a peculiar position. Many Italians were frustrated with their government’s foreign policy, especially its inability to claim territories that Italians considered rightfully theirs, such as the Trentino and Dalmatian coast, which were controlled by Austria-Hungary. This dissatisfaction led Italy to eventually switch sides when war broke out.

Something to think about

Best,

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