I began this blog largely as an experiment in public outreach. It is my belief that many people are interested in science, and that they would like an opportunity to interact with practicing scientists in a blog format. In this regard, I have been very happy to come across the blogs of other front line researchers, such as Jonathan Eisen’s The Tree of Life, Rosie Redfield’s RRResearch, John Dennehy’s The Evilutionary Biologist, Rod Page’s iPhylo, and John Logsdon’s Sex, Genes, and Evolution (Best. Title. Ever.), along with those of quite a number of active grad students.
The question was, would anyone visit my blog, in light of established (and unabashedly political and correspondingly popular) options such as PZ Myers’s Pharyngula (like anyone still needs a link) and Larry Moran’s Sandwalk, or the excellent science reporting of Carl Zimmer’s The Loom?
Well, after just under three weeks in the blogosphere, Genomicron has received over 1,250 hits from roughly 850 unique visitors. Not bad for an upstart. At least, the null hypothesis that a blog is not useful for outreach has taken a bit of a thrashing. Thanks to those who have stopped by, and I hope to see you again soon.
I entered for the same reasons as you (and at about the same time). I have been likewise pleased with the clear rejection of said null hypothesis. The challenge for me will be to make it interesting enough for people to keep coming back. I (we?) won’t compete with PZ and Larry (I’m still in awe of their output), but their efforts make it clear that the blogosphere is not a zero-sum game. Congrats on the initial hits and keep up with the interesting posts!
John
Tipped off by one of the above, and have been a subscriber of Genomicron since then. Good content pulls in the crowds 😉
Thanks!
Count me as a regular reader.
My six month experiment in blogging is up tomorrow. I still haven’t decided whether blogging is an effective way to communicate science.
Psh, Larry, I’ve used many of your posts as study material for my biology class.
I was looking over your RNA polymerase ones earlier today because my test coming (in 20 minutes) up covers gene expression.
Both you and TR better not stop blogging anytime soon.
I have to agree with Chris Harrison. Don’t stop. So much information is absorbed through your posts…
And besides that, I just love the ID stuff on Prof Moran’s blog 😉
Congratulations and welcome to the blogging community! Thank you for adding EyeOnDNA.com to your blogroll. 🙂