I have been analysing statistics of the readers of this site. I would like to say a big hello to all my readers in Belgium, Canada, China and Finland. Who the hell are you people? I would also like to especially thank the 3 readers who have each logged on to the site over 100 times in the past 4 days. Fair play to you, whoever you are.
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Dear Brian
ReplyDeletedo the statistics reveal whether you have increased anybody's happiness and well-being?
Justin
Why do you suppose that 3 of your readers have logged in over 100 times in 4 days? It's an astonishing statistic. People generally wouldn't even log into a useful site, such as online banking, eBay or The Samaritans. I wonder what they are looking for...maybe they need help but are afraid to ask and so anxiously check your posts to see if any match their problem. Or perhaps they have asked for you help and urgently need it but due to your busy schedule, demanding wife and fear of getting involved you haven't yet responded. Whatever it is I'd kill for these ratings on my blog.
ReplyDeleteAwesome question
ReplyDeleteHi Justin,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately the software in Google Analytics does not measure whether reading a particular website has increased people's happiness or not. The vast majority of readers here are "return visitors" which is perhaps a good sign - although this may just mean that they find the site entertaining, or gruesomely fascinating, rather than genuinely useful.
But my colleagues and I are currently working on a way to try and get some information about this.
In the meantime, readers will need to decide for themselves if reading this site has been of any use to them or not.
Do you believe that you have increased another person's happiness?
ReplyDeleteHi Justin,
ReplyDeleteI have received positive feedback from readers of the site. But does this mean that people have become happier as a result of reading it? Is it possible to write something that will make people happier or that will improve their lives? In a sense, everyone who writes publicly and in good faith, does so because they think that what they say might in some sense improve some people’s lives. Otherwise why write? In this sense, to write at all may be considered an act of arrogance. Personally, I have found that reading the great philosophers HAS improved my own life, and increased the joy I find in life. But this may not apply to other people. However, anyone who writes publicly is hoping that what they say will resonate with a readership. In most cases, the hope is unfounded, and what they write remains largely unread. So one just needs to write, and see how people react. It is up to other people to decide whether what a writer says is of any use or not.
But there does exist a large and mostly exploitative self-help industry which promises people easy solutions to their problems. One of the purposes of this site is to hopefully try and satirise that industry.
I can't argue with you there.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'd say that your comments on bestiality and public speaking have helped me if not made me a happier person.
The entertainment value can't be discounted either. If only you could post more regularly or people sent more problems to you.
I must be one of the magic readers - I've been on this site more than a 100 times in the past week but from different locations and IP addresses and so I might in fact account for all of the surge in readership.
ReplyDeleteMy time here is coming to an end so you should see things settle down again
Mr. O’Connor, Thanks for your contribution. Feel free to pop back in occasionally if the mood takes you.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you need me anymore.
ReplyDeleteBesides I have to turn my attention else where now that I've done what I promised to do.
Most urgently I need to find your cousin who now owes me €50 euro.
All the best.
It’s nice to see somebody making some money out of this site. Although if it’s the cousin I think it is, you’ll be doing well …
ReplyDeleteGood wishes
To Justin, I am a reader who is currently living abroad.I have few friends here and little to do with my time.While I can't say that the site has increased my happiness to any large degree.I can say with some certainty that it has provided me with great amusement and has given me something to look forward to during the day.So I suppose that in some way it has brought some happiness to my life! BB's intelligent and witty insight into the world we live in and the problems that some of us are facing(real or imaginary)are well worth logging on to read and have provided me with more than a few laughs,as well as some philosophical 'food for thought'.In any case I would suggest that anyone who is really looking to and expecting to increase their happiness,through the use of this site,may have more problems than any of us would be qualified to comment on!Keep up the good work BB!!
ReplyDeleteAn Avid Reader