Look. I can only handle so many horrifying attacks from PZ’s squid-inked poison quill (like here, here, here, and here, and here, and here, and here). Plus, as of this writing, he has 500 more votes than I do (he’s at roughly 3200 to my 2600 at 11:00 p.m. Pacific time Monday night 3490 to my 3270 as of 10:00 a.m. Tuesday).
It’s not that I want to win, really, so much that that we must stop the tentacled and literally spineless horde from winning.
And to that matter, I have a cunning plan that cannot fail.
If you have a blog, post an entry telling people to vote for me. Then come back to this entry and leave a comment with a link to your entry. On Friday, the last day of the voting, I will post the list of people who supported me with the links to their blog or site!
Let’s be honest: I get more than 12,000 readers to every post. I’m not sure how many more, but that’s the number from hits to the site plus people who come in through Feedburner. That’s a lot of eyes seeing your site. So plug away! Tell people you have bones, and you’re proud of it.
To let you display your support of vertebrates, if you plug Bad Astronomy, you can put this handsome banner on your site:
I have created three versions: big (1000×555), medium (500×278), and small (250×189). Take your pick.
Honestly, even if you don’t vote for me I can’t stop you from using the banner. But I also know I have the most honest, wonderful, and — let’s face it — best-looking readers in the observable Universe (and that includes the depths of the ocean), so I know you’ll help out in this time of need.
But hurry! Voting ends on Friday!
12,000 people. Hmmm, that’s a lot of folks who have not yet voted for me. I’m just sayin’.
Tip of the voting lever to good ol’ Fraser of Universe Today for this wonderful idea. He’s a man of true calcium.
December 12th, 2006 at 12:27 am
Alright, alright already. My vote has been cast. If only to save the world from domination by squid-kitties (sqitties?)
December 12th, 2006 at 12:43 am
I’ve voted for you four times now! Here’s my post urging others to vote stars over squids: http://www.canspice.org/2006/12/11/stars-rule-and-squids-drool/
December 12th, 2006 at 12:52 am
Yes, I’m shocked at the negativity, attack ads and blatant lies from Pharyngula.
That’s why I’m glad to endorse the B.A. who has only used reason, considered rhetoric and the simple truth in his campaign.
December 12th, 2006 at 12:54 am
Post made on my blog as well. Voted several times already, hopefully other people get the message and the squid domination can be stopped! (600 votes ahead, yeesh!).
December 12th, 2006 at 1:12 am
Done and done.
December 12th, 2006 at 1:33 am
ok, ok, ok! you have my vote (and no bribes necessary).
December 12th, 2006 at 1:54 am
As you say!
http://jamasenright.blogspot.com/2006/12/when-bad-astronomy-is-good.html
December 12th, 2006 at 3:10 am
Hey, don’t look at me. I’ve already voted thrice.
December 12th, 2006 at 3:44 am
Ok, you’ve got my vote, what’s more, my friends’ votes~~~
Just good luck!
December 12th, 2006 at 3:58 am
Three votes today.
December 12th, 2006 at 4:13 am
If this comment gets through – I tried several times, you think it’s spam, I mail you, you don’t answer, I mean, I’m just saying – you will be interested to read I’ve voted for you every day now. I love Bad Ass Astronomy to the vertebrate bone.
I’m gonna try to do a post. I must say I can no longer follow this squid kitten thing any longer (perhaps since I don’t read the other guy. who doesn’t sound that great).
Hope you win Phil. You have to.
December 12th, 2006 at 4:33 am
I have voted once each day since I read about the voting. My blog is here
December 12th, 2006 at 4:36 am
I had already made one post soliciting votes, but that handsome banner I could not resist; I made another. And according to my last check of the votes, you seem to be closing the gap with that foul, mud-slinging squid-lover. Maybe you’ll pull this out after all.
December 12th, 2006 at 4:58 am
200 votes for Bad Astronomy this morning (my local time) and just 70 for that other page. Go Go Go Bad Astronomy
December 12th, 2006 at 5:01 am
Bribery? Works for me…
http://geeksandwich.blogspot.com/2006/12/bad-astronomy-is-good-thing.html
December 12th, 2006 at 5:15 am
Vote for Bad Astronomy…
And now you can too… In fact, you should. You should, because the blog clearly needs more cephalopod representation, and the best way to get that is through the flexing of democratic muscle. You should, because he has pictures of…
December 12th, 2006 at 5:16 am
I too had already made such a post, but I made a more committal post:
http://www.squidzone.ca/the_squid_zone/2006/12/vote_for_bad_as.html
December 12th, 2006 at 5:16 am
Posted with Pleasure, Dr. BA!
Kisses!
December 12th, 2006 at 5:18 am
Ok, I voted for my favorite science blog (BA) despite being a completely uninformed voter… I don’t know anything about any of those other blogs. For the sake of BA I suspended critical thought and just did as I was told
December 12th, 2006 at 5:30 am
I’ll vote for you. But only if I get properly compensated. 3 packs of assorted doughnuts should do the trick.
December 12th, 2006 at 6:17 am
I did as you asked, oh master of the heavens.
http://themyst.livejournal.com/840750.html
December 12th, 2006 at 6:43 am
As ye command: http://infophilia.blogspot.com/2006/12/stop-squid.html
December 12th, 2006 at 7:00 am
While I don’t have a blog, I have voted for you every day, from work and home. So, you’ve been getting two votes a day from me. And I did get my daughters to vote for you from their computers, every day.
December 12th, 2006 at 7:04 am
Do I get a second cookie, if I also posted it on my other blog? (This one will be my new home, if I can ever get the damned WorPress importer thing to work.)
December 12th, 2006 at 7:21 am
Yes, I will vote for you Phil! I have done so everyday at work and at home! I will continue to do so. I am sorry I don’t have a blog to help out, but I will still vote as much as I can! I read a little bit of that Pharyngula website, and I must say, he is more negative than the BA, uses bad language, and is too preachy if you ask me. I am sticking with the BA, he does talk about astronomy more too, as a bonus!
December 12th, 2006 at 7:52 am
Wow! Really? You’ll add a link to our humble science blog? Nice to have friends in high places, page rank that is. While we seem to be drawn to stories astronomical, we cover a bit of everything. As our slug says it, we offer “A dose of surprising reality packaged for daily consumption.”
http://wow-really.blogspot.com
http://tailspinstales.blogspot.com
December 12th, 2006 at 7:57 am
here’s my Blog
http://scientificjia.blogspot.com/
Good Luck!~~
December 12th, 2006 at 8:06 am
The carrot and the stick approach.
December 12th, 2006 at 8:16 am
I’ve enjoyed your blog for a while, good luck with the vote. Although I look forward to it being over.
Cheers
http://chrysopoesies.blogspot.com/
December 12th, 2006 at 8:26 am
Go to your college/school/library computer lab, open the weblog awards and vote for BA on each one! I have got at least 20 votes that way!
December 12th, 2006 at 8:29 am
A vote a day for Bad Astronomy keeps the Squid Army away.
Just in case, though…calamari for lunch anyone?
December 12th, 2006 at 8:33 am
[...] Vote for Phil Plait’s Bad Astronomy Blog. Stop the tentacled menace to life as we know it! Vote now. Then vote with your co-worker’s computer. Then vote with your parent’s computer. Then vote from the Internet Cafe’ down the street. Then vote with your neighbor’s computer (You know you can do it, you stealth hacker you). [...]
December 12th, 2006 at 8:48 am
Plugged away!
http://illucian.livejournal.com/1357947.html
December 12th, 2006 at 9:20 am
Done and done!
http://theatarithief.blogspot.com/2006/12/vote-for-bad-astronomy.html
December 12th, 2006 at 9:30 am
Here ya go: http://waltzking.blogspot.com/
December 12th, 2006 at 9:34 am
Best-looking readers?
::checks mirror::
Who are you trying to kid?
December 12th, 2006 at 9:54 am
Best of luck. A flagrant plug can be found here:
http://sciatnight.wordpress.com/2006/12/12/blatant-self-promotion/
Enjoy…
December 12th, 2006 at 10:16 am
Do it for my sake!
December 12th, 2006 at 10:20 am
Save the kittens!
http://web.mac.com/rturpen/iWeb/Site/Blog/DBF4D484-8F8A-43F5-8B17-5D395009182C.html
December 12th, 2006 at 10:44 am
Done. I’m sure my dozen of readers will throw their support to you.
December 12th, 2006 at 10:45 am
I have voted and started rounding up the vertebrate masses for voting.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=62579773&blogID=204608313&MyToken=7ad3ef86-6a18-4259-934a-c4ac30aa80b2
But I think the squid-kitty is kinda cute in a H.P. Lovecraft-ish sort of way.
December 12th, 2006 at 11:08 am
Ah, me droogs, excellent. We’re closing the gap, so keep ‘em coming!
December 12th, 2006 at 11:10 am
Heres the link urging others to vote
mark_smith
http://marksmith-1986.blogspot.com/
December 12th, 2006 at 11:12 am
Just to make sure we bring overwhelming force to bear on the squid army. The cavalry has arrived.
http://www.universetoday.com/2006/12/11/vote-for-bad-astronomy/
December 12th, 2006 at 11:18 am
I’d like to vote for you but you haven’t actually posted about astronomy in like a week. And there’s no way I’m gonna vote for a blog that’s all about how I should vote for it. Tell me something cool about astronomy and maybe I’ll reconsider.
December 12th, 2006 at 11:24 am
jbrader, um, did you read the last post I made, about the European telescope? Or the light pollution issue? Or the one about Mars dunes, and the one about cratering, and the one about water found there?
December 12th, 2006 at 11:28 am
What happened to “One person, one vote” ? This is all a joke, right ?
December 12th, 2006 at 11:33 am
For some reason, the voting rules allow one person to vote every 24 hours. Personally, I think it’s silly, as it skews the vote to people who remember to vote more often.
I don’t know why the Blog Awards people set it up that way, but they did.
December 12th, 2006 at 11:35 am
Wow, the surge is on. I voted and you were only 215 behind. Just took another look at the results and the gap was only 212. You’re Gaining On him!!!
December 12th, 2006 at 11:38 am
Well – I used your link to vote the squid. Yes, I love squid and they must be fed.
Please donate your kittens!
December 12th, 2006 at 11:38 am
I’ve voted early and often…here’s my post urging others to resist the spineless revolution…
http://www.thespacewriter.com/2006_12_01_thespacewriter_archive.html#4099630362367780355#4099630362367780355
December 12th, 2006 at 11:41 am
Well, that just looks great… (that link in my previous post).
Hmmm…
How about you just go to my blog at:
http://www.thespacewriter.com and scroll to the entry where I shell (shill) for Phil?
Shilling for Phil… sounds like the name of a punk-rock group or something…
(wanders off to write lyrics)
December 12th, 2006 at 11:53 am
Grrrrr…you’re gaining on me. This must stop. I have created my own selection of pro-squid banners here, and urge all right-minded people to vote for the one truly great science blog.
December 12th, 2006 at 11:54 am
I think Bad Astronomy should get double points for today’s original idea of making a banner…now Pharyngula has copied that idea.
Bad Astronomy is only about 200 behind – the gap can be closed and the squid squished!
(S)quid pro quo was clever, too.
December 12th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
[...] Lunchtime’s coming up… all those unoccupied desks… whatever shall I do? Oh, let me think? Maybe play a game? Posted in Commentary. [...]
December 12th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
Surely it has occurred to people that this voting is just a joke anyhow. The weird little folk with no lives cast the deciding numbers of votes, so perhaps you shouldn’t even want to win.
Even so, I followed Pharyngula’s links to this site, first time I’ve been here, and put in a vote for it (the one and only vote I’ll cast in this ridiculous contest). I really couldn’t take the self-plumping and campaigning on Pharyngula, and took this opportunity to vote, and post, against that campaign (I’m not really voting against the website and its author).
Maybe the more important point in both Nature’s rating of science blogs (by number of links) and this useless contest is that neither one bothered to notice that Pharyngula’s counts were highly inflated by the political content (and deliberate cross-links affecting the Nature rating) of that blog. This is not to put down Pharyngula in general, which really does have a lot of excellent scientific content. However, the largely content-free political posts affect the rating of that blog without relating any information about the actual science content.
So okay, you received my sole vote, but I don’t like these mindless rating schemes anyway. I know that if Bad Astronomy wrote that it was all stupid and that they didn’t care that it would look like positioning for defeat. Regardless of that, can’t some neutral third parties tell it like it is, other than my post which will likely be given little heed? And if you do win, Bad Astronomy, be happy, but you’ll then be in a winning position where you could convincingly point out how some blogs (yes, notably Pharyngula) get votes from the politically motivated where others do not, and that the repeat voters are generally losers anyway (a dicey thing for even you to say, I know).
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/b8ykm
December 12th, 2006 at 1:16 pm
Our whole team voted for you!
December 12th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
I actually did read the post on the European telescope, and posted. Which I only realized after posting here. And until now I didn’t see the other posts. Apparently google reader is being selective. I stand corrected, all apologies.
December 12th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
Glen,
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar… please don’t overlook that Phil and PZ are having fun with this and getting people to read about science…
December 12th, 2006 at 1:40 pm
Phil,
We voted and it’s done.
http://ifitandhealthy.com/vote-for-bad-astronomy-diet/
December 12th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
I have voted 15 times….Do I get something special??????
I will have my entire company network at my disposal Friday evening….hmmmm…that should net another 54 votes…..
Crush the spineless ones!!!!!!!
December 12th, 2006 at 2:08 pm
This just in from a reader of my blog:
Voting for Bad Astronomy because otherwise you might give my kids a bag of chocolate covered espresso beans and a puppy for Christmas if I don’t. Or voting for Pharyngula because otherwise I would be eaten last. Difficult decision.. . You Win!
December 12th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Wow, Robert, that’s excellent! PZ has squids, but I have a RAPTOR!
December 12th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Glen D.;
I think that both PZ Myers and Phil Plait are giving this ‘vote’ all the serious consideration it deserves.
December 12th, 2006 at 3:28 pm
I did a post on my MySpace blog about voting, complete with links and reasons to vote Bad Astronomy. This whole thing is fun and silly, so I’m having fun with it.
December 12th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
We are tighting the nuse… only behind by about 200 now
December 12th, 2006 at 3:53 pm
Squid are Great!! Best marinated, sliced and barbecued of course
Anyway, vote early and vote often for Phil in the finest democratic tradition.
All the best Phil.
December 12th, 2006 at 3:55 pm
Don’t tell Glen D, but this whole back-and-forth is actually a cunning plan to get more traffic to both Bad Astronomy and Pharyngula.
December 12th, 2006 at 4:35 pm
http://www.inoculatedmind.com/?p=126
I voted for you. Twice. But the trouble is…
December 12th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
Even your big Bad Sis voted. Every day for the past 4 days. On two different computers!
December 12th, 2006 at 4:57 pm
[...] This year, there is an award for best science blog and the Bad Astronomer has summoned his minions and asked them to encourage their own readers to vote for The Bad Astronomy Blog. There is intense rivalry between the astronomer and the biologist who runs Pharyngula who feels he should win. [...]
December 12th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
You have my vote(s).
Link here.
December 12th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
I’m in!
December 12th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
OK, I did it. I’m whoring for you. By the Cosmic All, I feel dirty.
http://anothermonkey.blogspot.com/2006/12/vote-for-phil-plaits-bad-astronomy.html
December 12th, 2006 at 6:18 pm
You’re all set on my blog:
http://enoughforhollin.blogspot.com/2006/12/vote-bad-astronomy.html
I hope you get the votes!
Cheers,
Hollin
December 12th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
the voting also favors people with access to more then one computer.
December 12th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
I’ve plugged you in my LJ. Go Bad Astronomy!
December 12th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Blogwars … Staying out of it…
…it’s all too ugly. So, I’m voting for Mark Chu-Carroll and Good Math, Bad Math myself. He’s just so civilized….
December 12th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
Best of luck BA. I just hope if for some reason this doesn’t go the “right” way there will be no claims of hanging chads or any other ugliness. Other than that damn cat with the nose problem that I keep being drawn back to. Just stare at it and think, “so ugly, so odd…”
December 12th, 2006 at 8:33 pm
I’ve added you to my blog and emailed my masses in hopes of a win!
The kitten picture still cracks me up, especially the “think of the kittens” comment!
Keep up the fantastic work and may the Best Bad Astronomer win!!
December 12th, 2006 at 8:42 pm
Heidi, what’s the link?
December 12th, 2006 at 11:01 pm
Yeah, me too:
http://thedistancerun.blogspot.com/2006/12/get-out-vote.html
msd
December 12th, 2006 at 11:14 pm
Dude, I’ve totally got your back. I posted a plea for BA votes on my blog. I’m hoping my reader will do the right thing. By next year, I should have two readers, so I’ll really be able to turn the tide for ya. See you in Vegas, baby!
December 12th, 2006 at 11:22 pm
Here you go Phil! Good luck:
http://www.primordia.com/blog/archives/2006/12/best_science_blog_ever.html
December 13th, 2006 at 9:07 am
I’ve voted twice myself, and marshaled the wilds of Japan to rise up and aid you.
http://travelingrant.blogspot.com/2006/12/attack-of-science-blogs.html
December 13th, 2006 at 9:08 am
Oh, I think I forgot this link:
http://thaumaturge.livejournal.com/704565.html
December 13th, 2006 at 10:38 am
You got my vote too – good luck.
December 13th, 2006 at 11:22 am
this is getting too silly. How much time did you waste writing this blog instead of something interesting, say, about astronomy?
December 13th, 2006 at 11:33 am
“Don’t tell Glen D, but this whole back-and-forth is actually a cunning plan to get more traffic to both Bad Astronomy and Pharyngula. ”
Yes, I’m afraid that I did think of that.
And whatever anyone says about them not taking it seriously, sorry, the winners always take pains to point out their wins. They do want traffic, and the two ARE colluding to make this a two-way race (I had little choice but to vote for one or the other, really, but thought a pure science blog deserved it more than one that receives a lot of largely unrelated atheist and political traffic). Of coures they don’t want to treat it like a serious matter, since it is all so foolish, but they do want votes.
A cigar is just a cigar if you’re hooked on the nicotine, not if you’re constantly joking about cigars and “cigars”.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/b8ykm
December 13th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
I’ve been voting for you every day because 1. this really is the best science blog on the web and 2. my girlfriend likes kitties.
I’ve posted for my readers to vote for you here:
http://www.hiphopmusic.com/inane/archives/2006/12/vote_for_the_ba.html
My Blog is the Inane Asylum:
http://www.hiphopmusic.com/inane/
The Parent Blog is run my jsmooth:
http://www.hiphopmusic.com/
December 13th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
I have voted three times a day for a while now. I hope it helps. I would much rather have a branch of Physics, a hard science, win over Biology, one of the soft, squishy(ugh!) sciences. I was going to say Physics is a science that you can sink your teeth into but that is wrong…think Squid and Scungilli. Yum, yum!
The Delta V as I write is 140!!!
December 13th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
Just wanted to add that I am very pleased to see the excellent Panda’s Thumb is running in third place. It deserves the recognition.
Delta V = 135
December 13th, 2006 at 7:20 pm
I’m your bitch. I did your bidding. Now pimp me out like you promised!
December 13th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
Phil!!
Here’s the link to the post on my blog…
The Public Me: Help the Bad Astronomer do Good Astronomy!!
And… I found something out!!! You can vote more than once every 24 hours!! – if you use a different computer!
December 13th, 2006 at 10:35 pm
Just in case I wasn’t blatant enough:
http://hipsubwg.blogspot.com/
I am, Hip Suburban White Guy. Hear me kvetch.
December 14th, 2006 at 2:34 am
Better late than never I guess.
Two posts so far – with another going up on the 15th.
http://bootlovers.typepad.com/booted_up/2006/12/do_me_a_favor.html
http://bootlovers.typepad.com/booted_up/2006/12/not_letting_you.html
Just to be safe, my blog is not for kiddies or fundamentalists, so – knowing that – use common sense before clicking on the links please:).
December 14th, 2006 at 7:09 am
Okay BA I’ve voted for you once again. That’s at least three times now.
Besides, look at it this way – if you lose it’ll only be because the Squitty (Squid-kitten) backfired which will have meant that you helped him win .. Which will have meant you’ve won.
Sorta. Somehow. Anyway.
Its close now…
The ends in sight
The BA’ll give the kraken fright!
December 14th, 2006 at 7:12 am
Oh yeah incase you’re wondering I’m oneof thoserare peopel that doesn’t yet have awebsite anywhere just email.
But you could direct people to the “Stellar Spotlight” column in Australia’s ‘The new Sky & Space’ magazine where yours truly has a column!
Or hang on, have I just done that?
December 14th, 2006 at 9:37 am
Linked for the last day voting crowd. Even though you’re in the lead as I look now and probably don’t need it.
http://www.neonbubble.com/article/sexy-science-stuff
December 14th, 2006 at 9:52 am
and… my entry. Seeing as it’s on Myspace, I’m also going to post a bulletin for those who don’t subscribe to my blogs to ensure they’re aware of it.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=94124332&blogID=205448136&MyToken=254281b4-62ab-47df-ac5a-efe29ebc4218
December 14th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
Vote For BadAstronomy!…
If you don’t vote for Dr. BA, hurricanes will destroy Dover, PA! Fire and brimstone will rain down on Kansas! American marriage will be destroyed! Communism will take over, and we’ll all be sent to concentration camps by the secret Evil Cep…
December 14th, 2006 at 7:58 pm
You’ve got my vote.
http://thedesigninterference.blogspot.com/
December 14th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Voted! Many times!
http://jsteele.livejournal.com/385950.html?nc=1
December 15th, 2006 at 1:58 am
So, today was my last day I could cast my vote. Yesterday at the library, I sat at every free machine and voted – one man, multiple IPs = multiple votes
Seems like the trackback didn’t register, so here’s the link to my post of support:
http://nodependenciesnologo.wordpress.com/2006/12/13/my-name-is-nils-and-i-endorse-this-message/
To victory!
December 15th, 2006 at 3:34 am
Woo hoo – pulling ahead even more
http://tonymorel.livejournal.com/230229.html
December 15th, 2006 at 6:28 am
I don’t have a blog, but I emailed my astronomy club’s “discuss” email list telling them to vote for you.
December 15th, 2006 at 6:29 am
http://lists.atmob.org/pipermail/atmob-discuss/
December 15th, 2006 at 11:36 am
I voted, and I’m begging my readers to vote as well.
http://www.bay-of-fundie.com/
December 15th, 2006 at 3:27 pm
I’m a bit late to the party, but I just wrote a post promoting your weblog—good luck!
December 15th, 2006 at 9:43 pm
I have enjoyed everything you have said, so far. I taught Space Science in High School, and I enjoy what you are doing. There are many crazy people around,
Don’t fear them.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
[...] And Phil (Pander, Pander, [...]