In other news, my IOTBS YouTube channel is about to hit half a million views and we’ve only put 7 videos up! That’s pretty rad. Maybe we’ll get there this weekend? *cough cough* I mean, Vsauce gets half a million views in like a day (deservedly), but HEY … we’re new kids on the block. Speaking of …

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I could go on and on about this, but creating YouTube videos while finishing a PhD while teaching is actually rather challenging. We’re just trying to get better with every video, and I’ve got some very cool ideas planned for the future. I think like every creative person, I alternate between elation, terror and uncertainty with all of this, but that’s what reminds us that we’re alive.

Anyway, a huge thanks to everyone who’s watched and subscribed so far! The coolest thing is that none of this YouTube stuff would exist without the people who followed the Tumblr first.

One last thoughtL It’s a little early to commit to something like this, but I think I’ll buy my millionth subscriber a pony. 

It’s Okay To Be Smart: Two Trips Around The Sun

Happy Second Blog-o-versary to ME!!

That’s right, this blog was birthed into the digital world, kicking and screaming and with only a basic mastery of its bodily functions, 731 days ago (thanks to the leap year). So of course I have to take a moment to get a tiny bit sentimental.

Thanks.

Seriously. Two years ago, I was sitting at the same desk as I am now, probably doing something similar to what I am doing now (scowling at an experiment that didn’t work very well), and I activated this Tumblr. And here we are.

If you asked me how many people I figured would be interested in my particular brand of sciencey blogging (equal parts wonderfulness/off-the-wall/creative/educational/analytical/whatever else I do) two years from that day … I would have guessed maybe 10% the number of people that have joined along on this trip, max. And even that is on the high end of my wildest dreams. So wow, yeah, THANK YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE SO MUCH! It’s really about you. The energy I get from this, no words. And maybe we’re making a small difference, learning, and making the world feel comfortable in smart skin.

I tippity-typed out some thoughts about my blog journey a couple weeks ago — you know, the “How it changed my life” stuff — so you can go read that if you want to continue on this sentimental walk in the park with me!

So, by my count I have posted something like 5,474 times since then. For this party, in lieu of presents or your presence, why not spend the next several hours clicking this Random Button or going back-back-back through The Archive (all 5,474 posts) and telling me what your all-time favorites are? Take your time. It’s a weekend.

Tweet me @jtotheizzoe if you find a gem that means something to you (to get around the pesky URL/Tumblr messaging impasse).

I have trouble remembering what I had for breakfast the day before, so this will help me recall some of the fun we’ve had. Memory goes with age.

Oh, last but not least … I got you guys some cake:

Whew!

This idea of a week dedicated to answering only asks and emails is fun. Harder than I thought, but fun. I hope we’re all learning something. We’ll be back to the usual before you know it. In the meantime, asks are still closed, but fan mail is still on (I think).

Of course, I just found out I’ll be scheduling my next-to-last PhD committee meeting next month and I’m submitting a paper to a journal within a week or two so who needs free time amiright?

But I think it’s important that we take the time, because as Carl says …

Welcome to Joe’s Answer Bag Week! This week, I’m going to try an experiment. A week dedicated only to answering questions from you all. Why am I doing this? Well, my inbox currently has about 150 unanswered questions, and many of them are good. Of course, many of them are completely off the wall. I just want to knock that number down. These days I get too many questions to answer them all. I will choose as many good ones as I can get through, but not every question can get answered. Please don’t let that dissuade you from asking them, though. I’ve always thought the ability to answer your questions was one of Tumblr’s best features, and this is something I’ve wanted to try for a while. I actually pay attention to questions in the comments, for you non-Tumblr readers. So here’s how this is going to work: You’ll see a bare minimum of other posts this week, unless it’s something I just can’t resist showing you, like if we discover alien life or a Republican presidential candidate admits to believing in evolution. I will close my Ask box for the week about 15 minutes after this post goes up, so if you have a burning issue, see a doctor. If you have a last minute good question, get it in there. I’ve never allowed anonymous questions, and that won’t change. But I’ll leave names off if requested. I’m going to post them so they’ll be rebloggable, since people vastly prefer that. As always, I prefer questions about science, or maybe education. I’ll sneak a few fun ones in there, just don’t be inappropriate. Most importantly: At the end of this week I will be clearing out my inbox. That means if you asked me a question, say 5 months ago, and you haven’t seen it … it got lost in the shuffle or didn’t get answered. Resubmit it later on, and we’ll start from scratch.  And if seeing a week full of answers annoys you, then just shut your eyes and it will be over soon! I’ll see how this works and hopefully it will be beneficial for everyone … for you, getting knowledge bombs dropped on ya, for me keeping down that pesky inbox number :)
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Welcome to Joe’s Answer Bag Week!

This week, I’m going to try an experiment. A week dedicated only to answering questions from you all. Why am I doing this? Well, my inbox currently has about 150 unanswered questions, and many of them are good. Of course, many of them are completely off the wall. I just want to knock that number down.

These days I get too many questions to answer them all. I will choose as many good ones as I can get through, but not every question can get answered. Please don’t let that dissuade you from asking them, though.

I’ve always thought the ability to answer your questions was one of Tumblr’s best features, and this is something I’ve wanted to try for a while. I actually pay attention to questions in the comments, for you non-Tumblr readers. So here’s how this is going to work:

  • You’ll see a bare minimum of other posts this week, unless it’s something I just can’t resist showing you, like if we discover alien life or a Republican presidential candidate admits to believing in evolution.
  • I will close my Ask box for the week about 15 minutes after this post goes up, so if you have a burning issue, see a doctor. If you have a last minute good question, get it in there.
  • I’ve never allowed anonymous questions, and that won’t change. But I’ll leave names off if requested.
  • I’m going to post them so they’ll be rebloggable, since people vastly prefer that.
  • As always, I prefer questions about science, or maybe education. I’ll sneak a few fun ones in there, just don’t be inappropriate.
  • Most importantly: At the end of this week I will be clearing out my inbox. That means if you asked me a question, say 5 months ago, and you haven’t seen it … it got lost in the shuffle or didn’t get answered. Resubmit it later on, and we’ll start from scratch. 

And if seeing a week full of answers annoys you, then just shut your eyes and it will be over soon! I’ll see how this works and hopefully it will be beneficial for everyone … for you, getting knowledge bombs dropped on ya, for me keeping down that pesky inbox number :)

Are You the Kind Of Person Who Hangs Out On Facebook A Lot?

If so, now you don’t have to miss any posts! I’ve set up a Facebook Page for It’s Okay To Be Smart, so you have another place to keep up with the science. I know how frustrated people get when they miss posts, so this is another way to keep up with the blog, share it with your friends and talk with other lovers of all that is interesting.

So if that’s your thing and you want another way to keep up with me, go like it! In the future, I’ve got some ideas for exciting ways to use the FB page. 

Stay curious, everyone.