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I want to thank everyone that has followed Catalogue of Organisms over the years. I particularly want to thank those readers who have supported me on Patreon: Paul Selden, Sebastian Marquez, Rob Partington, William Holz. Your contributions have meant a lot to me. Apropos of that, some news: some of my readers may recall that my employment status has been a little up in the air for a large chunk of the last couple of years (though I was able to find casual positions for some of that time). A few months ago, though, an opportunity came up to work on a project looking at insect diversity in mangroves in Hong Kong. Though it means being away from my home, my partner and my dog for a couple of years, the opportunity was too good to pass up and for the next little while I'll be based in the city of the Fragrant Harbour (especially around the port district in high summer).
So on to the next 1000 posts, then? We'll just have to see. Certainly I'm not putting stuff up here as frequently as I did in the past, when I was a carefree post-graduate student. There have been times when I've wondered if I should keep going. People far more talented and perspicacious than I have had a great deal to say elsewhere about the apparent decline of science blogging as a format, and it certainly doesn't seem to attract the audience it once did. Nevertheless, I think I'll be going for a while yet. I've noted before that this blog functions as my own means and motivation for investigating things that I might find interesting, and there's certainly no shortage of things left to investigate. And as for the health of science blogging overall: a glance to the sidebar to the right of this page reminds me that there's still a lot out there worth following. There's Deep Sea News, there's Small Things Considered, Bug Eric, Tetrapod Zoology, Letters from Gondwana, Synapsida, Beetles in the Bush, and so many more. If you don't already know these sites, check them out!
For my part, the main indicator I see as to whether people are reading anything here is when people leave comments. A big thank you again to those who have contributed over the years. I'm needy, and need validation... And in that light, I'd like to specially ask my readers to comment on their general feelings (if any) about Catalogue of Organisms. Has there been anything you've particularly liked about the site over the years? Any favourite posts? Anything you'd like to see going forward? And once again...
Many of your posts are 'way over my head, but I still check out each one, because sometimes you answer questions that I'm fruitlessly asking myself. Or correct misinformation I picked up from less careful writers.
ReplyDeleteAnd I appreciate the help you have been with identifications over the years.
Favourite posts? The tardigrade series, I think. Although I'm still giggling over "Stop Giggling".
I can honestly say that you are my favorite nature blog out there. I have been coming to this site almost daily for years now. I love how you cover so many obscure taxa that are no doubt not blogged about anywhere else on the internet and how you never shy away from complex terms. As a young person with a deep-seated passion for all things zoology, your blog has been a significant source of learning and inspiration. In fact, I cite you as an inspiration at the nature blog I recently started, A Natural Fascination. I hope you never stop this blog and I wish you immense luck on your current project and all those to come.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susannah. For those who don't know her, Susannah is author of the Wanderin' Weeta site.
ReplyDeleteAnd Christopher, I'm impressed by the posts that you've put up so far. I hope you find the time to continue writing, and good luck!
Thank you for your fantastic posts and congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI always read your posts. At minimum, I learn of critters I never would have met otherwise. My favorites are plants of course ;-)
ReplyDeleteI share your experiences with blogging. When I started, about five years ago, there seemed to be a lot more going on. I think a significant segment moved on, but there still are enough great bloggers to satisfy my needs. And like you say, the investigation that comes with putting together posts is really satisfying.
best wishes
I guess the posts I've liked the most have been the ones about fossil problematica, the mini-series on Prototaxites being a particular highlight. My more perverse side also appreciates the ones about messy taxonomic histories.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping you keep going for a long while yet!
I've enjoyed your posts for quite a while, and sometimes offer my insights for gentle, justifiable smackdown.
ReplyDeleteI especially enjoyed your posts on Caeculidae: I have a couple of new species if you are interested. One from Texas, and the other from Loja, Ecuador.