Back on March 15th, 2009, I was amazed to find that WUWT hit 10 million on the internal WordPress hit counter.
I started the WUWT blog in late November of 2006, and it took me over two years to get there
Now just six months later, I’m amazed again:
Despite the many people of the alarmism bent who dislike what we do here, WUWT continues to be popular. As always thanks to the many many readers, the guest contributors, and especially to our moderators dbs, Charles, and Evan who keep the flow of conversation going smoothly.
I’m grateful to all of you for the continued success and support. I’m especially grateful to those who spread WUWT links on other websites, helping to drive traffic here.
Now my most important question: what could WUWT do different or better?
– Anthony
2E7! Great achievement for you Anthony and all. Going exponential. Doubling in 6 months… 40 million by March if on the same rate, but I suspect even the growth rate is increasing. With all I’ve learned here and the exposure you’re getting, the facts are becoming known at an ever faster rate… I suppose the term viral means an exponential*exponential growth rate. Keep up the good work guys, people worldwide are really starting to examine the facts and basis for these relentless alarmist claims, and are rejecting them wholesale… Mike S.
Congratulations to Anthony and team wuwt.
In a dim and distant future, the icicles will form apon the the bronze statue of Anthony pointing to a badly sited MMTS and people will stare in silent wonder upon one of the few good men that dared to question the science.
Howard (20:33:10) :
Congratulations Anthony and thank you for your indefatigable efforts.
Howard, I had to look that up… I’m submitting that word to O’Reilly for the word of the day… “Please be indefatigable”. We could all use such advice. I plan to be such a guy tomorrow!
Congratulations.
You should make a chart of the daily hits and process it to look like a hockeystick.
Easily done.
😉
Congratulations Anthony. This site is an incredible forum / resource, even with the smatterings of pro or anti AGW rants!
Congrats Anthony!
But how many of those hits are Flanagan? 🙂
Congratulations Anthony, by far and away the most accessible and even handedly moderated site in the climate change debate.
What could you do differently / next? Well, I realise it’s somewhat out of your hands but being on the front page (ideally at the top) when you Google “climate change debate” or something similar would be very powerful weapon in your arsenal.
So come on guys ‘n’ gals with your own websites and especially you journos who visit here (we know you do) – give Anthony a mention via a link; the more external links, the more Google likes it…
Cheers,
Mark.
WUWT T-shirts are a terrific idea. Revenue source for Anthony and a way to stimulate interest in others. Let’s not forget, most people are never exposed to any AGW sceptic material.
Took my daughter to a doctor 12 months ago and we were the last customers on a Saturday. Doc and I struck up a conversation about the virtues of scepticism and he gave me the link to WUWT. Here in Australia there are many gullible people and each day I send emails to in on my address book with the latest WUWT info. Thank you Anthony for doing what needs to be done!
Great site Anthony & helpers, many articles really give my brain a workout ( as if I need this writing up a science honours thesis!). That link by [ Jerry Lee Davis (17:06:07)] to the Scientific American article about AGW sceptics was very intereting. The commenters gave S.A. a right serve for their disparaging attitude to amateur scientists.
Congratulations, the comments above say it all: a well judged mixture of science, courtesy, topicality and sheer good humour. I post rarely but read avidly and learn much.
Bravo, Anthony.You are helping keep Science alive. Data, critical enqiry, observation & testing. All is not lost!
Beth, down under.
Anthony,
Has all my clicking on the Google ads contributed in any way to the cost of maintaining this great site?
Really good news.
I think the secret of this blog’s success is that it’s not only a rant against AGW, is it? It’s just that such is the most pressing issue of our day. But when I peek behind your “About us” button I see a host of other ambitions and aspirations. Even when the present AGW storm has blown over and the hypocrites and exploiters exposed for what they are (and that is bound to happen), this blog will continue to be of interest thanks to you and your collaborators’ open enquiring minds and healthy scepticism.
More power to your elbow, John
Many thanks Anthony et al !
(I hope I’m not get into trouble with my boss by visiting ~10 times a day…)
Mick.
Anthony, your work has similar deserved success as J K Rowling – because it comes from a basis of human integrity. This I think is what “Science” has temporarily lost sight of, entranced by the many astounding discoveries she has made, neglecting her first love of ordinary things like thermometer records, and thinking that nothing can stop or question her. But always, always, the most humble data shine when they come from that basis of human integrity.
I realize you started from a strong position – 30 years’ media work on weather. Thank you for asking the question – what could the next steps be? I’ve had many thoughts about that.
In general, I would like to see you reach out for more specific help from the readership here, to consolidate more of the science that has been arising here. This has several specific aspects:
(1) starting a worldwide survey of temperature records and station histories to set a precedent for clean, open, collaborative work, where professionals and amateurs can, once again, cooperate (I’m going to do another post on the unbelievables of the NASA UK records next week). IMO someone else needs to volunteer to design and coordinate such a project, somewhat equivalent to your Surface Stations project.
(2) The “Tips and Notes” thread is a good idea but needs rethinking so that it never gets too long. 300 posts maximum IMO, and weeding would help. Again, another volunteer might come forward if you or someone can suggest / define the new plan.
(3) as suggested above, an intelligent index for past threads. Here it’s especially unfortunate that one cannot highlight specific posts. I think Word Press themselves should be alerted to this issue.
(4) more actual posts that survey the work achieved so far, the science learned, and the way forward, with specific invites for readers to collaborate. Initially a bit more work for you to set up, but in the long run it should take weight off your shoulders and place this work on firmer ongoing footing. For none of us are mindless to the fact that WUWT and CA in particular are blazing trails for a science of the future that recognizes the importance of courtesy and staying human and accessible and keeping integrity – that all this informs the least of the details.
(5) nearly forgot this one!! Links to primers on all aspects of Climate Science, for newcomers and learners here.
Cheers from another loyal supporter, whose own understanding of science has grown by leaps and bounds here, and who wants to pass on to others the best of what she has learned, and wants to see Science upheld once again as she remembers it once was. Ah yes, let’s give thought to the potentials of “Dad’s Army” here – we can do so much with our spare time at these wonderful computers these days…
Well done Anthony. I agree with all of the above!
20 million of us can’t be wrong.
Thank you Anthony for making a difference.
Thank you Commentators for making it grow…
Thank you DBS, Charles, and Evan for letting it flow…
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Edmund Burke
Please don’t change this beacon of light and hope.
The light at the end of the tunnel gets a little brighter. keep it up.
WUWT can be improved a lot by doing the following for the Comments:
+ Better Styling.
+ Alternating row colors (so we readers don’t get lost).
+ Author Image placeholder.
+ Numbering Comments (starting by 0,1,2,3…)
+ Paginating Comments.
And we can be more happy.
Drop me an email if you need help.
Also, WUWT need a new, better design.
The Sidebar is a mess, there are many free-alternatives out there much better and modern when it comes to WP.
Congratulations !
First thing in the morning, last thing at night. I have to say I may have a problem . . .
The open debate, the non-condescending tone, the expert opinions, the accessibility, the warm welcome (even for the scientific illiterati like myself), the honesty and the abilty to say ‘I may be wrong’ all leave me proud to stand tall and loudly proclaim . . .
I AM A WATTSAHOLIC !
ps. I’m dead chuffed you are still using my ‘Quote of the Week’ graphic – let me know when you want a new one.
The road to truth can be a lonely one, and in the AGW debate it is certainly a road less travelled.
WUWT is a flaming beacon of light in an atmosphere made murky by dubious science driven by wilfulness, blind faith, and the kind of bigoted, patronising and insulting zealotry that would have even brought a blush to members of the Spanish Inquisition (which no one expected).
When the naked (unaltered) facts about our remarkable world and its supremely dynamic, almost unknowable climatic subtleties are finally clear and undisputed, this blog and its perpetrators, contributors and supporters, will be able to stand proud for never submitting to mob rule or falling for received so-called wisdom based upon a consensus of those who are apparently too easily pleased.
The climate story, and mankind’s reaction to it, must never be about the history of the last five minutes. It has to be about the scientific method and its constant bedfellow, the spirit of honest enquiry, uncorrupted by those
with a craven, misanthropic agenda or driven by political chicanery.
Viva WUWT!
Many congratulations, Mr Watts, on achieving this important milestone. I’m one of the second ten-million, having bought my first-ever computer in March of this year as a retirement present for myself. I’ve learned so much in six months, and you can rely on me to be responsible for a hundred or more of the next ten-million.
Best wishes, Dave.
Congratulations Anthony! This is well deserved.
I don’t like compromising the truth, and WUWT provides the sanity that is lacking in many other places. Keep the focus on science, in particular I enjoy the solar threads.
My only problem after WUWT became so popular is that the number of articles and comments require more than 24 hours a day to follow….