Traffic on this site has grown pretty steadily since it began in January of 2009. I originally intended the site to serve only as support for the book Why Evolution is True, and I would put up an occasional post about some new scientific development supporting the truth of evolution.
Well, things sorta got out of hand. But it’s nice, because I get to post about what I want, be it science, boots, atheism, cats, travel, or food, and I’ve somehow garnered a group of enthusiastic and really smart readers, which gratifies me no end.
Right now we’re getting between 12,000 and 20,000 views per day (averaging 17,730/day this month), and so when I looked at the total views at 6 a.m. this morning, I saw this:
This means, of course, that we’ll pass 10,000,000 views sometime today, probably in the afternoon (things are slow on Saturday). In honor of this landmark, an autographed paperback of WEIT will go to the person who posts a comment closest to the time that the meter ticks over.
Now this is not an incentive to comment like crazy, because nobody, least of all I, can predict when we’ll start our second ten million. But if you want to put up one comment at a time you calculate would be appropriate, you’ll be in the running. Saturday is usually pretty slow, and the views/day for the last five Saturdays have been (starting Nov. 5) 18,405; 22,638; 15,495; 12,008; 12,290. My guess would be somewhere between 12,000 and 14,000 views for today.
You do the math, make a comment somewhere if you wish (I get them all on email), and I’ll watch the clock. You might win a book.
Mainly, though, I want use this occasion to thank all the readers who stick around, read, and comment. As I’ve said before, I learn a lot more from reading the comments than I do from writing the posts. Many thanks!
Subscribing, and going to win an autographed book
Its too early, but I’ll add another one anyway. Oh yeah, I did forget to congratulate you professor.
Woohoo – 10,000,000 views*
* Hopefully with this comment, but what the heck, congratulations when it ticks over.
As the locals say here: Good onya, mate.
Congrats on 10 million. That’s amazing. Love the blog and the biology education.
Love the blog
Oh dude, you are so not getting an autographed book now.
You inspire me to start my own blog, and for that, I thank you. How would readers find me, though? I’m unknown. Any advice?
Doc – I encourage you to start your own site. If nothing else, it serves as an electronic diary, and you will probably soon get a steady stream of regular visitors. Be sure to use your website link when you comment at other blogs and websites – if you make interesting comments, which you usually do, folks will click on over to your site to visit.
And kudos to JAC – hope I am close to the 10M number!
Doug, thank you so much for the kind words and the good advice! Jerry sets a high standard. All the same, I sure would like to give it a try. I hadn’t thought of the address idea. Stay tuned…
de nada!
I did it! I just posted my first blog. Visitors welcome, and constructive criticism, too: http://docatheist.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/just-getting-started-folks/
WEIT: A safe place for pake patrons.
I read that as “A safe place for fake patrons.” 😀
Ten million hits for reason and evidence; and against superstition and ignorance. Congratulations Jerry.
My sentiments exactly.
Congratulations!
Did I win?
Thank you for what you have done here. I’ve learned a lot and enjoy the wide range of topics. I’m sure the next ten million views will include people whos eyes will be opened to our real world.
I already have an autographed paperback WEIT, but I’m happy to up the comment count for someone else.
Yeah, this place was pretty stodgy and boring at first, but this is about my favorite online community now. Good mix, keep it up.
I also remember when you went over 100,000 comments. I think Ben Goren got that one, or at least pointed it out.
Many thanks to you for writing an interesting blog that covers a variety of topics that include some of my favorites: evolution, science, religion, travel, food, music… I have learned a lot and enjoyed it all. Keep up the good work.
I want to win! Just commenting to make winning even possible.
Dr Coyne, I have written a poem just for you.
By Jonathan Smith
Twas a month before Christmas
And all through our nation
The Christians were crying
Large tears of frustration
We all should love Jesus and worship his name
It’s so un American if you don’t do the same
Good will to all men is what you should feel
Except to those who say God is not real
Christ is the reason for the holiday regalia
Quietly stolen from the feast of Saturnalia
O’Reilly and Coulter are making a fuss
Those horrible billboards and signs on a bus.
Christmas is surly under attack
The real meaning of Christmas they want to hijack
Hanukkah and Kwanzaa seem pointless and bland
Bring back the nativity on government land
They have taken the bible out of our schools
Science and reason are only for fools.
The pledge of allegence without God is insane
Let’s join Gvnr Perry and keep praying for rain
The tea baggers know Global Warming’s a lie
Just put your faith in the man in the sky.
Great lines, Jonathon! Perfect for the holidays.
Congratulations Jerry!
It’s a credit to your writing and your always interesting subject matter.
I already have your book, so I’m not looking to win 🙂
Just wanted to thank you!!!
I’m dreaming of a yellow banana
It’s my worst nightmare
Awesome! Now, since I already own a copy of WEIT if I win I’ll donate it to my local library. It can only help around here.
Congratulations!
I appreciate what you do and love the educational posts.
You’ve been instrumental in refining my thinking.
Thank you.
I found this bl^H^Hwebsite after the Haught debate. So obviously you need to debate more theists. Hits! Hits! Hits!
I too started visiting this site after the Haught debate at UK. This and Daylight Atheism by Adam Lee are my favorites. Jerry’s mix of science, cats, music, and the latest in freethinking issues is really a draw. I end up forwarding all kinds of stuff to my kids and husband- mostly the cats and the music as they get plenty of atheist talk just from me.
I also got Jerry to sign a copy of WEIT for me, so if I won this, I would probably give it to my daughter who does environmental science out west.
Thanks Jerry!
Somehow I think the views for today will surpass the average for a Saturday in light of this post – a cunning ploy to speed-up reaching 10^7? haha Messing. Congratulations and keep up the good work! If you get so many views, it’s for a reason 🙂
Congratulations on hitting 10 million.
I really appreciate your clarity of thought and expression.
I could do without the cats and food stuff, but, bizarrely, I read everything on your “blog”.
Thank you very much.
reg
Srsly, kittehs make furr best sites! No quit on kittehs! I can has kittehs furr ebers!
And thank you for blogging! This really is a pleasant read, one of the sites I check daily.
Congratulations for this great advanced!!!
I remembered the following reflexion: Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes “the practice of freedom,” the means by which women and men deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world. (Shaull, 1970).
In little words: The present blog is (for me) synonymous for this idea in the context of evolution.
Thank you very much
VH
(Monsieur Valjean)
This is my feeble attempt. I enjoyed most content posted on this blog, except those posts about antidepressants.
10 million views. That is an awesome achievement and shows there was / is a need for an unblog just like this one. I like it ‘here’.
Bob(Big)
Well, my comment is that you really need to come down to Brazil and do a tour! Religion is an unthinking part of life here and people need to be alerted to the fact that they do not *have* to believe. Worse, the born-again scumbags are beginning to go into politics, and I dread to think where that will lead us.
All the best from Curitiba,
Matthew
Good god, we really ARE a cult.
Did I win?
No?
I’ll be back.
jac- A well-deserved milestone!
Marta- 🙂
My experience with doing careful calculations on this sort of competition is that my result is usually way off compared to someone else doing a wild guess. So I’ll just add my congratulations on you having just reached / being just about to reach this milestone. I’d love an autographed copy of WEIT.
Nice work! You have a great blog that I check multiple times a day.
Did you know you don’t have to check? You can receive an email for each new article and an email for each response, after you comment.
Or you can subscribe to the RSS feed.
Prof. Coyne, you’ve earned every view for this website, even (perhaps especially) from those with anti-evolution beliefs. Who knows, you might have sparked the conversion process for some of them.
Here’s to the next 10 million views…
Congrats on 10 million views! You must be doing something right: I stop by here every day despite my severe allergy to cats.
Congrats on the milestone.
Times are hard so I put in a request for WEIT at my local library (in NW London). It’s now there and regularly loaned out. Would be great to have a personal copy, though!
The cost of superstitious ignorance is immeasurable. It has cost so many lives, time, energy, space and money. It’s going to take many more communities like this one to abate the costs.
Well done Jerry.
I just thought, closest to 10 million ± or just closest *before* hitting 10^7
Also, really the site has probably had a lot more views than the meter counts – since I’m subscribed I just read the new posts in the email notifications unless I feel the urge to comment on something. If anybody else does the same, I’m sure you’re well passed the landmark already! 😀
I hadn’t thought of this issue.
I only go to the blog once or twice for every 50 email notifications that I receive.
How many email subscribers are there?
Using my experience as an indication, 100 million is probably more accurate.
Me too. I never skip a post, but seldom go to the actual website. I really appreciate the email option. I fearI am hopelessly addicted; when I woke up this morning I thought, “Oh good. It’s Caturday!
Already have an autographed copy, So I wouldn’t want to be greedy, but maybe if I won, I would gift it to a local school library.
Anyway, been following the site for the entire time. Been a huge fan, thanks for all you do.
Congrats on your success.
Been a reader for awhile but this is a worthy reason to come out from the shadows. Congratulations..and pick me.
Well done, sir. I enjoy reading your *web site*. 🙂 The other readers here are first rate too–they leave amazingly smart comments.
I sure hope some anti-kitteh troll doesn’t get the book! I already have the hard back version of your excellent book, but I’ll will still value the signed copy should I be so lucky.
I never win anything. Oh well, congratulations Jerry!
Can’t resist the opportunity of a freebie – who said Scots are mean?
Well done Jerry!
Yay for integer orders of magnitude!
Congratulations on the ten million views, Jerry! I love this place for the science, I love it for the non-science, I love it for the humor, and I love it for the commenting community. Maybe after you retire you could open a pub.
Did I win?
Not ANOTHER autographed copy of WEIT! How many do Kink and I have to win? If we win five does that mean we win ANOTHER autographed copy?
Where does it end?
Oh, the humanity!
Already have the book but an autograph would be great.
Perhaps the next (first ?) time you’re in the Toronto area.
Congrats on 10 million views! This site is wonderful and so is the book! Keep it up!
10 million and counting, maybe I should start a blog. subject – Why bronze age morals are not suitable for the 21st century
That’s funny I’ve read the book from kindle. I just bought a hardback copy. But I would love to have a signed copy. Thanks Jerry for everything you do. Peace
Huzzah for Chucky D. and evolution!
I think the ten million & first should get an autographed copy of The Egg & Sperm Race… if only I could recall the author…?! 😉
PS – Greg – have YOU written a book?!
If I mail you my previously purchased (hard) copy (I’m a big spender!), can you autograph it and mail it back?
I wonder if it is possible to do an ‘e’ autograph for an ‘e’ copy?! PS This is an extra comment so should not count… if you see what I mean, I mean I do not want to appear to be cheating… 🙁
I found this site through some backlink and subscribed. So far it has been the most educational and engaging on my list! I’m just now beginning “Why Evolution is True” on Kindle and so far it’s a solid read. One I will prescribe for my kids as they hit the right reading level.
I’m guessing this is too late.
Congrats!
Am I too late?
I check your blog everyday~!!!!
Congrats Jerry! I love your website. And wish you 10 million more!
I’ll throw my name in the hat – I love your website, loved your book that began this, and would be honored to win a copy of the book if I end up closest to the 10 millionth viewer mark.
It’s time. Right here and now.
Ten megahits, pretty good. My blog has 2! Sigh…
Jim – link your name to your site and we will visit!
Yes, please do. I just started my blog:
http://docatheist.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/just-getting-started-folks/.
And anyone who is not impressed with the amount of work you devote to this website is unworthy of being counted among the 10M.
BTW, I don’t recall hearing what printing WEIT the Book is in, or what printing it would be in if Kindle was counted. Or total copies in English + all other languages.
We’ve had our disagreements, but your blog remains my #1 favorite blog. NOW do I get the book?
I am a neophyte in the blogging world….but i take inspiration from blogs like yours. My 1500 views don’t compare to your ten million……but…maybe…one day
and thanks for posting such good stuff
Jimjim
worldofjimjim.com
I guess I’ll use this occasion to say thank you very much for this blog and for giving us many awesome and informative posts! This is one of the very few blogs that I continue to read regularly. I also agree that the quality of comments on this blog is really high. I hope you continue to write this blog for a very long time!
Big congrats to Jerry and everybody else involved making this a very interesting read every day!
Congratulations! Thank you very much for this blog – it really has something for everyone – whether you are a biologist or just a layperson (like myself) I find I learn something new every day here. Not to take anything from you, Jerry, but I have learned as much from the other posters as I have from you, your blog has drawn some truly intelligent, funny, and fascinating people…everyone keep up the good work!
Congratulations on reaching this milestone, Prof. Coyne.
I don’t think I’ve ever commented here before, but I’ve been reading your website for quite some time now. I often share your posts with my wife, to the point where I just need to refer to it as “Jerry Coyne’s site” and she knows how to find it.
Only this morning, I showed her a serendipitously amusing juxtaposition in my RSS reader – your post about cats (including the xkcd cartoon) immediately followed Greta Christina’s latest post about her new kittehs – the one with eight pictures of the cats on the bed napping. Priceless.
Here’s to another 10M page views, and more!
βPer
I love your site and often share it on Facebook and Twitter. Congratulations and thanks!
This is my favorite website (even though I hate cats). The science and the opinions are always stimulating, and most of the commenters are also very interesting.I don’t know how you find the time to write so many quality posts!!
Great achievement–congrats! I know I’ve become a better teacher by staying up-to-date on the science and the social issues that often go hand in hand with biological discoveries, so I really appreciate your commitment to this website.
I enjoy many of the posts, and the ones I don’t at least force me think. Although I should never read the food posts when hungry cause bang goes the diet.
Anyway best of luck for the next 10 million.
Happy celebration and kuddos! We’re the 99%.
Oh and I couldn’t resist trying my luck…
on time?
Congrats, Jerry. It’s a great site. Entertaining, provocative, and inspiring. Excellent roster of regular commenters, too. I routinely link posts here to my Facebook page.
Congratulations on the 10 million!
Congrats!
10,0000,0000? That’s like a view for every year of the Earth’s existence 😉
Congrats Jerry. You do a great job with the blog. Science, atheism, cats and food…a winning combo. Also I love your travel pix.
Trying my luck… (of course this is not going to happen, consider the odds!)
I love this blog, but I love the autographed book more! Anyway, thanks for your effort!
Congrats on the 10 million views! I’d sure love to win that autographed copy of WEIT!
I never have any luck with contests but I’m willing to change my fortune if the cyber gods will cooperate!
I’d love an autographed book but I know that doesn’t make me unique here.
Thanks for providing a rational oasis in the morass of nonsense that’s out there, Dr. Coyne.
Enjoy the website, enjoy the banter between posters. A real gem. Well done, will read WEIT soon whether I win one or not.
Congtrats on the 10 million! Quite an achievment, keep it up!
10,000,000 views — that’s replication and variation. Given selection pressure, WEIT should evolve a new species of view.
I’m hoping it’s “preview.”
Congratulations- this has rapidly become one of my must read blogs.
Way to go. Here’s to the next 10mill.
Congratulations from the Netherlands!
Here’s to hitting the next 10 million by December 2012. Congratulations, Dr. Coyne!
Congratulations Dr. Coyne and all the guest writers and commentors (commentators?) who also contribute to this website. I’m a regular reader and I want to say thank you for all the valuable education and interesting discussion I get from this site. Keep it going.
Well deserved milestone. Congrats! I wouldn’t mind a copy of that book…
Was just in B&N (an actual book and mortar store!) and saw a gorgeous book that was called something simple like “Evolutionary Biology” or something like that- translated from the French, i think, but mostly STUNNING B&W photos of fossils. I may have to go back to buy it. Would make a great companion to yours, no doubt.
Popped in primarily to check this week’s Caturday post, but saw this and figured I’d give it a try… Will the millionth visitor get one of those banner ads telling them that they’re the lucky one? 😛
Congrats! Hope I win. Definitely would give my bragging rights over my brother.
Congratulations on your milestone! I really enjoyed reading your book and am glad it lead me here. Science, reason, cats, food, boots, and music. And smart witty commentary too. It’s a great atmosphere.
Must be getting close, or else WordPress has quit adding new posts.
Am I too late? Oh well, I’ll give it a shot anyway.
Cool.
Yes, my congratulations as well. You might even take some satisfaction from noting that Massimo Pigliucci’s site only lists some 1,267,910 hits (if that’s what the site-meter measures), although it might be over a different span of time. 🙂
And thanks also for a great and quite informative site; lots of “backing and forthing”. And likewise for fairly lenient posting policies …. 🙂
Currently reading WEIT after being a life-long creationist. Wow, talk about eye opening!! Thanks for writing it!
The quill pen with the gold flake ink will be fine.
Congrats! May it help those who want to learn about the real world.