This is the five thousandth published post on WUWT, since this is a computer written blog, publishing the number in binary seemed appropos. 1388 for you hexadecimal fans.
I don’t have anything profound to say. It is just a number, and other blogs have reached and exceeded this number, so it is no biggie. But, I will share a few thoughts.
- I find myself running the most visited climate related website in the world. I never set out to do that, it just happened to turn out that way. WUWT has been a part of climate history, partly by skill, partly by persistence, partly by luck.
- I think of blogging much like I did my days of broadcast TV, it is a 24/7 occupation. I’m always “on”.
- I’m proud of what this blog has achieved. I’m proud of the reach we have.
- OTOH there are things I’m not proud of. I’ve made some stupid mistakes, said some things I regret, and sometimes I’ve let my emotions get the better of me. I’m human. That said, I’ve learned much too. I’d like to think I’ve learned from mistakes and that I’m better at this job now than when I started.
- I’m thankful for the supportive community we have here. I was stunned and gratified that you all came to my aid in getting funds to publish the surfacestations paper. Know that all of you have my sincere gratitude.
- Some days it is a struggle to post something new. From that I realize that I’m tired, probably I need a vacation. I haven’t really had one in several years where I can “disconnect”. Every business trip or even trips with the family inevitably turn into another station survey. My kids know what an MMTS and Stevenson Screen is. They shouldn’t.
- I get more email every day than I can respond to. For those of you that have sent inquires and never got an answer, know that I’m sorry for that. I have to choose what time I have.
- I’ve made thousands of friends, and probably an equal number of enemies. Some days it is a sobering thought. As a result, I have had to be more diligent with my home and business security than I did before.
- I wish I was thirty pounds lighter. I spend way too much time in front of a PC.
- I worry more than I used to. Life seems far more complex than it was 4.5 years ago when I first started doing this. Getting things done seems harder than it used to be.
- Living in California has become depressing. Owning a business in California even more so. The regulation and business climate here is insane. Just today I learned our electricity rates would be going up to pay for Smartmeters. Pissed I am.
- I thank Steve McIntyre, who has always been an inspiration. He set the standard. I’m sure he feels many of the same things I do.
- I’m doubly grateful to the volunteer moderators and guest authors. Without you, I’d be toastier than I am now.
- We live in interesting times, times get more interesting with each passing day.
We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.
Who knew that tilting at windmills would become so important?
Servantes must have been a prophet.
And yes, the more visible you are, the more security you need.
Liars and gangsters always operate hand in hand.
Thank you again, Mr. Watts.
If worst comes to worst, you and your family will always find a welcoming home in every village and town of Earth. I am so sorry about California.
Anthony,
Thanks for all the hard work. I learnt a lot about the uncertainties in the data and analysis in this field from you and all the others on this site. WUWT has helped shed more light on this critically important issue than any other site or person has done
Anthony Watts Says:
“I’m made thousands of friends, and probably an equal number of enemies. Some days it is a sobering thought. As a result, I have had to be more diligent with my home and business security than I did before. ”
Somehow i don’t believe you made as many enemies as friends. you probably made several friends each enemy you made. That is mostly because you and the other moderators here run a very respectable and fair site
Anthony – thank you so much for all your hard work. Your site is a daily “must read” for me and is truly enlightening.
…and if you find some troublesome gnat giving you a bad time, well just extend your right hand and display a binary four [on your fingers] toward the offender.
Anthony
You are a person with an extraordinary blessing in your gifts, combined with your hard work. I can witness to everything everyone has said here. I too have been captivated by the fight for integrity that you exemplify and I do what I can in my way. I too have burned the midnight oil, fallen asleep over my computer probably as often as in my bed, whooped with the successes and wept with the failures.
But please do not be seduced by success (even with us). Consider how to pass on your skills. Consider how to make yourself redundant before circumstances force. Keep checking with God, Great Spirit, your intuition, for your path. Consider what is really needed in the changing circumstances – whether you personally are called to answer that need.
Personally I believe we’ve actually won the war although nobody is conceding defeat. But I also believe we need to build for the future. One thing I believe we need for this is a Climate Science wiki, to bypass Wikipedia, which has an inbuilt limitation that was put there for the best of reasons, but works savagely against non-orthodox science – its rule of “No Original Research”.
So much important science has passed through your blog, but to my perception, this needs to be collected together, distilled, refined, and made readily accessible – like your wonderful reference pages. And we need simple primers for newcomers, that like Cook’s SS are linked to the best available references. A wiki looks like the obvious answer. Would you consider making a sideways step, reducing the blog volume in order to start developing/facilitating a wiki? This would give you a path of creative transition that leaves huge benefit for future generations. It would also, I think, leave you much more free regarding how you spend your time – because it would attract its own development team.
I started to set up just such a wiki (using MediaWiki software like WP) but I have to face the fact that Great Spirit and circumstances are calling me elsewhere. I’d still be willing to pass on my tiny humble seed for other climate skeptics to develop – or I’d be delighted if another wiki gets started – because I still passionately believe that the true skeptics’ Climate Science needs such a wiki.
Best wishes for continued success. You work so hard.
“I find myself running the most visited climate related website in the world. ”
Congratulations Anthony. I am certain the a*$%!*%s at realclimate hate your guts for it because you did it without coming down to their level.
I must add my thanks Anthony. Your blog is always my first stop. I’m really grateful for the information I have gleaned and continue to get from here.
Wow!
1001110001000 posts!
I actually replied in 01 or 10 of them.
Something that I don’t believe has been addressed on
Watts Up With That is a question that’s “bugged” me for years:
“What’s up Doc?” and is there such a thing as “down Doc”?
Perhaps too trivial for this highly esteemed award winning blog, but perplexing nonetheless.
🙂
I consider WUWT to be the best run blog on the internet. I read it every day. It has maintained my sanity while I work in a definite CAGW oriented government workplace. I am thankful for an amazed at your dedication Anthony.
lapogus says:
“If the Blackie isn’t open (it has been intermittent in the last few months) suggest a Thrappledowser in the crags?”
I had to google “Thrappledowser”…
Maybe best to send me an e-mail at: jimmy-haigh at fsmail dot net
Cheers!
Theo Goodwin says: (May 11, 2011 at 9:38 am)
“Though I agree with everything Tom said, check out Sebastian and Sebastian Inlet on the East Coast of Florida. The big difference: waves! The East Coast has them. ”
Yes, and Sebastian Inlet is shark haven, not that the Venice Pier area is much different. Why else would you have a beach bar & restaurant called “Sharkey’s”. BTW, that is the only place in over 19 years that I have come close to a shark while swimming.
Thanks for all your effort. “Watts Up With That?” is my daily read.
My simple mind is still amused by the website name play on words.
0101010001101000011000010110111001101011001000000111100101101111011101010010000001000001011011100111010001101000011011110110111001111001001000010010000100100001
= Thank you Anthony!!!
The bottom line:
WUWT 1, RealClimate 0
Thank you Anthony
Thank you Anthony for what you do here. I only discovered this place about a year ago, and it has been enlightening. There’s nothing better than a good debate, and you provide one of the best forums for the exchange of ideas. The learning process never ends, and I can only imagine how exhaustive it can be to do this day in and day out. Thank you for your diligence, patience and effort.
I would be remiss if I did not say thank you to your team of moderators and guest posters as well. Thank you. As a seriously interested layperson, your site is an indispensable daily source of information and ideas.
I think you should get out of California.
Come on down to the Gulf Coast.
Between hurricanes and the high water you can witness nature’s unbridled fury firsthand.
It’s humbling and awe inspiring at the same time.
That’s why folks are so friendly here….we know that nature makes the rules. We know her benevolence and her fury, both wonderful.
Most of my liberal acquaintences are now admitting embarrasment of their gullibility during the global warming fad. I think the fad has peaked and is falling fast, and with it much of the heated discourse. Maybe folks in California are a little late in giving it up though.
Perhaps you are somewhat battle weary, and as the fog of war clears you have more time to reflect upon it. IMHO your job is nearly done, just a matter of maintenence now. Time to move on?
…….Or time to challenge the next “progressive” fad, as yet unseen, because I doubt that they will ever quit trying something.
……Or maybe get behind some positive initiative…like putting a telescope on the moon. I know………I’m a broken record.
Best of luck to you, wherever your path may lead.