Today is Lurker Day, as explained by Chris at Creek Running North, Lauren at Feministe, and PZ at Pharyngula. (Three of the coolest blogs on all the internets, I should add.) That is, lazy bloggers avoid posting original content by asking their readers who never (or rarely) comment to drop by and leave a note saying who they are and what they like about the blog. (Other blogs also ask for something called “constructive criticism,” or perhaps even for suggestions for improvement; we here at CV see no need for such things. But if you are so moved, knock yourselves out.)
I’m especially curious as to two demographic questions: how many readers are professionally science-related in some way vs. how many are from the so-called “real world,” and among the former, how many are students vs. embittered elders. No pressure, obviously; consider this just a chance to pipe up and say hi if you haven’t yet had the chance to comment.
Lazy bloggers? You’re a genius — you saw right through me.
What about vain? Allow me my vanity already.
Did I say “cool”? I meant “lazy and vain.” Sorry.
I’ve commented before (rarely) but I’m a current college student who is one of Sean’s former students. I won’t be a professional scientist, although there’s a chance I’ll go into economics, which sort of almost counts. But I’m interested in science, hence taking Sean’s class and reading his (now shared) blog.
what about a fanatical devotion to the pope?
A couple of science degrees long ago. Too dumb to be a real scientist, too lazy to be anything else. Restricted to mind-numbing wage-slavery like most people and studying physics and mathematics by myself in my spare time. That’s 3 pointless, boring sentences too many; 4 if you include this one.
A busy blog. Frequently, some nice science discussions. Comments can be interesting. Too much politics and fluff for my tastes, but easy enough to ignore. Will always enjoy listening to people smarter than me talking about things I can barely comprehend. Good luck, keep it up, and now I’ll shut up.
I’m a physics-astronomy major in my senior year of college. I have read most of Sean’s GR book and a gigantic paper of his about entropy. I’m hoping to be a professional scientist…all those years of school seem like a good way to avoid any real responsibility.
I started out reading the blog for the science stuff and being sort of annoyed by the politics (since I swore off news a while ago) but science politics is important to keep abreast of…just in case republicans try to change to change the value of pi to 3.
Hey there, I’m a lurker, I really enjoy the explorations of the universe, there was a time I thought I would go into science but decided against it … so, to answer your questions, I am not a scientist, and I am no longer a student.
I’m a scientist. But I’m not a lurker, because I won’t shut up. As witnessed by the fact that I’m posting in this thread for lurkers.
Degree in Math, 50 years ago. I’m a non-embittered elder. I visit your site every day, and like it except that it often drifts pretty far from its core content of science.
Not even remotely science based–I once was an English major; however, I’ve always been “lazily” interested in cosmological issues, especially as it relates to to quantum mechanics–such things always seem more like “fuzzy” ideas, at least in the abstract theoretical part of it, and I’ve always liked trying to apply these ideas in a philosophical context, if any of that makes any sense. . . Your website combines both an eye on the current science and throws in some good liberalized political awareness as well, which always brings me back to check in on it again. Keep it up!
Hi – I work for the Department of Homeland Security and am tasked with monitoring websites such as this one to ensure that the information being discussed (science-related or otherwise) is not a breach to national security. Keep up the good work! cjl
I’ve commented once or twice. I’m a first year grad student in the middle of nowhere studying physics: I’ll probably (but who knows?) focus on condensed matter physics. I studied math and physics as a undergraduate at a university in Chicago (but not UofC).
I used to read preposterous universe back in the day. I really like the discussions on matters of physics I don’t know yet, and I generally like all of the political discussion and other “digressions” as well. So, uh, keep up the good work Clifford, JoAnne, Mark, Sean, and Risa!
Is it possible to be an embittered student? Studying Physics and the History of Science in Red Sox country (am a lackidazical Mets/Astros fan).
OK, I’m not a lurker as I’ve posted a little from time to time but I’ll be glad to introduce myself. I’m wrapping up my second Master’s degree (in Math, the first was in Physics) while teaching Physics and Math, in addition to job hunting. I like the blog for the thoughtful posts and discussions. Pretty much any topic is fine with me as long as it is thought-provoking and/ or the writer opens my eyes to an interesting facet of their world.
how about science and the real world? I’m a lab rat, working in a clinical lab that is situated in a research building. Get to see a little bit of everything that way. (hmm. kind of like here…)
I’d been checking in on Orange Quark and migrated over to CV when all of you joined forces.
Back to lurking…
Any others lurking in their wormholes? 🙂
I was a lurker for a long time in Preposterous Universe, then migrated over here. Lurked for a while, then dared to post a comment. I’ve commented a few times here since then.
Physics BS degree from a university in the best tropical climate in the world (or at least it seems so to me). Third year graduate student in Astrophysics in a very cold place in the middle of a mid-atlantic/northeast state. Hating the snow/cold, but slowly getting used to it 😉
Love CV, I visit every day. Everything about it is interesting, from the science to the politics to the random posts about personal stuff. Clifford’s posts are my favorite (most -if not all- of my few comments have been in them). Also love Sean’s GR-lecture-notes-turned-book (very helpful back when I took my first GR course).
I’m a scientist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics who, amongst other things, searches for Lorentz violations in laboratory experiments from both the
neutron and the proton. I, too, have been lurking since the preposerous universe days. The discussions here are often quite valuable. Now I’ll go back to lurking.
Thanks for all of your blogging!
A few comments thrown in so not totally a lurker. BS in Physics (by the skin of my teeth). Masters in library science, working towards PhD in information studies (specifically personal information management, etc., of scientists and engineers)… I’m related to science professionally because I work supporting scientists and engineers, if that counts. So I’m really into online communities and blogging. The physics (when I get it) is my favorite. Really dislike some of the politics but I’ll deal, I’d rather have you honest.
I also started on preposterous and migrated here. I love the fact that it’s a collaborative blog and that you get so many comments.
Grad student in physics (astrophysics in particular), hoping to stick to the academic route.
Computer science college dropout, with any luck, soon to return.
I’m not a lurker, you’ve heard from me a few times (sometimes my stupid remarks). Some of you have heard this intro before. I’m an artist and commercial illustrator/graphic designer who took up the study of math/physics in middle age, after the inspiration of a visit to Fermilab. I want to prove by my own example that if physicists can do art, then an artist can do physics. And that an older female can learn math/physics at all with little previous background. I love this Blog because not only do I learn stuff from it but I get to hear a bit of what scientists’ lives are really like.
Obligatory and self-serving reference: My Website is at http://www.pyracantha.com, my Weblog on that site is ELECTRON BLUE. Bye for now.
I teach English at Sean’s alma mater, but have always loved science, astronomy in particular. Wanted to be an astronomer when I was a kid. Didn’t, but my son did it for me. I like all aspects of the blog. Scientists are citizens too. Not my first post, but I post infrequently. Too busy grading freshman papers.
Astronomy Grad Student: “Clifford’s posts are my favorite” – I’m probably supposed to remain all professional and aloof, but hang it: Thanks! You made a particularly heavy week seem much lighter. It makes it all worth it to know that there’s at least one who appreciates the output.
Thanks all from all here for your comments in general. We appreciate them.
Yes, more comments on this thread…please keep letting us know what you do as it helps us understand who we’re talking to and with.
Cheers,
-cvj