Substack cometh, and lo it is good. (Pricing)

Unlurk thread

Posted on by Razib Khan

This is a post for anyone who wants to “unlurk.” Comments and the “communal” aspects of weblogs have declined in this decade, but there still seems to be some “regulars” around here. Though unfortunately, the blog is old enough that I know some retirees that used to read are now no longer alive.

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50 thoughts on “Unlurk thread”

  4. Though unfortunately, the blog is old enough that I know some retirees that used to read are now no longer alive.

    I’ve put to sleep multiple dogs that were much beloved companions (since they live 10-15 years each, their deaths are a generational measure in my family). I buried my father over a decade ago and one of the in-laws passed away this year. The two remaining grandparents to my children are sickly and are unlikely to last more than five years.

    Each year death gets closer and closer and I feel myself getting mentally less sharp and physically weaker. The decline, which began to be noted in trickles after I turned 40, is much more palpable now. Frankly, it’s depressing.

    On a positive note, my children are getting older, more knowledgeable, and stronger. For the first time, my eldest son beat me recently in Judo sparring, fair and square, with me not holding back at all. I just had a mental lapse and he caught me napping and threw me after setting me up with a couple of feints. And that’s what I look forward to these days – seeing my children reach the prime of their lives, even as I decline and I see fewer and fewer faces of familiarity from my own youth.

  7. I’m a regular reader of your blog. This is my first comment, as per the wishes of the author.

    Thanks for consistent and excellent content.

  9. I’ve been reading gnxp since it was you and godless capitalist. I don’t comment because I don’t have much to contribute. I find the blog very interesting, and am glad you’re back at it since your hiatus after unz.

  10. Thanks for keeping this blog rolling Razib – easily in my top 10 reads. I’ve read more books via your recommendations here than any other source in years.

  11. I expected Patrick’s “Hi everybody” above to be followed by “Welcome to another episode of Tides of History”

  16. Hello,

    Been a big fan of your blog for at least starting back when your on the discover blog, through unz and now your next incarnation. Learn a lot from the topics you cover and from the commentary you and others provides. Keep up the great work. Happy holidays and a Happy New Year everyone!.

  17. I’ve been following your blog since it was hosted at, I think it was Discover Magazine?

    It has been quite an education, because I had not kept up on human genetics since the days when the experts said that modern humans had no trace of Neandertal ancestry.

    Keep up the good work.

  18. Recent convert. It all started with 23andMe and trying to understand my ancestry (“wtf is ashkenazi a separate group???”) and googling for explanations –> GNXP.

    Then Reich’s book –> also GNXP.

    Hey, I also like Razib’s politics –> more GNXP.

    And here I am.

    Happy New Year everyone…

  21. I’ve been reading the musings of “Darwins wolves and one cuddly lioness” since summer 2002 after freshman year of college. Now I’m a government banking regulator. I just bought my 13 year old neice David Reich’s book. If that ends badly I’ll blame you.

  22. Google Activity says I’ve been lurking here since 2016. IIRC I read your syndicated stuff starting in 2012/2013.

    Was building cancer phylogeny software for predicting genetic and volumetric progression. Genetic analysis toolchain validity is a professional pursuit.

    Paleogenomics is a leisure pursuit. Bedtime and vacation reading on bioarxiv, sci-hub, etc.

    The population reconstructions are fun to watch each week/month…more fun than watching football/basketball/soccer/cricket 😉

  23. Started reading this blog very sporadically in 2005. Intensified the frequency a bit in 2010. Actually started posting comments in the Fall of 2012. Hopefully can still go on for the next 10 years.

  24. I’ve been a regular reader since the days when it was a multi-contributor blog, but I’ve never listened to Tides of History. There are just so many podcasts out there, especially with The Insight back.

  25. I remember starting to read Razib’s stuff in 2008 or 2009 (was it in Discover Magazine?), but I see that around here people are saying that the beginning is 2012. A magnificent example of the Mandela effect. My memory is beginning to fail.

    I remember when the Internet was opening up a fascinating world full of mind candy and infinite unanticipated possibilities. Now it’s a reminder that we’re running out of time.

    Happy New Year, everyone, by the way.

  27. Hopefully can still go on for the next 10 years.

    we’ll see. i have lots more ‘responsibilities’ now with 3 kids than the first 10 years of my blog 😉

  28. Read since discover and through unz. love your work and insiteome. don’t comment because i am a professional scientists and am too terrified of peasants with pitchforks to share my heterodox opinions even anonymously.

  29. Discovered your work about 6mos ago, don’t recall exactly how, probably a link from an OP ed to some other blog which then linked here. Now the blogs and podcast are among my favourite things on the internet. So, generally nothing I’d want to change. A couple times here you’ve indicated that the rise of China might make room for alternatives to Western thought. If I’ve missed the post where you elaborated, I apologise, but that is one thing where I’d like to hear more details. (I’d be happy to hear the case made by any other commenters as well.) Just can’t convince myself there isn’t a less risky path to reform.

  31. Been a reader since the Discover days. Up to now too shy to comment. By shy I mean it feels rude to share my opinion with people I don’t actually know. But an online community implies knowing people you haven’t physically met. So, hi!

  32. I’ve followed for a couple years sporadically…its now become one of three blogs I regularly check (Steve Hsu at infoproc.blogspot is excellent, and Peter Turchin although Peter doesn’t post much).

    I’m coming from a more religious pov generally speaking, but I respect your work and the fact that you operate in good faith and from a high level of intellect. Happy New Year!

  33. Been an on-and-off reader for a long time but rarely commenting.

    I find it incredible you find the time to keep reading and writing this much with the kids and day job and all. When I was younger I think I kind of envied people with such capacity — now I’m just happy they exist and are able to share and flourish.

    Cheers from Suomi and keep up the good work!

  35. Lurking a long time, almost never commenting, because I know you are quite irritated by people who have no idea about the subject, and who nevertheless feel the urge to share their thoughts on said subject.

  36. Hello from Down under, very long term lurker and appreciative regular audience – degenerative disease now makes it very hard to type and communicate accurately now but will say ditto to Ginasius and Szopen’s comments, my profession expertise and long term areas of interest and reading history and passions largely overlap your own though they differ in depth now. Thank you and Cheers S.

  37. Just commenting to say I hate the term ‘lurkers’. It sounds as if we are all furtive characters up to no good! There are many reasons people don’t comment – many regard blogs as the equivalent of magazines, some are just not comfortable with words, others have nothing interesting to add. I enjoy your posts, but as I am not a geneticist, some of them go over my head. However, I have always found the march of mankind fascinating, like your historical and sociological perspectives, and I have bought books you have recommended. Hope you still enjoy and have time to continue blogging, and I look forward to continuing to read.

  38. Have read your posts here and on Brown Pundits for several years. I am particularly interested in everything related to Aryan Migration Theory, as my field is historical linguistics (ancient Indo-European languages, and especially Old- and Middle-Indo-Aryan languages). The history of Medieval Spain has been another topic I have followed with great interest. I have read a few books you recommended, which I have enjoyed a lot, and I am looking forward to reading more of them. Of course I am also looking forward to continuing to read your posts! Hope you will keep up this work.

  41. Been reading since I was an undergrad (circa 2007). A lot of what I learned shifted my politics from being solidly left of center to moderate with left of center values and goals but a right of center world view.

  42. Long-time reader of your blog. This is my first comment — probably my last, as well.

    Thank you for the very interesting content and for your hard work in keeping the blog going.

  43. Reading since 2004 and grateful for Razib’s extravertedness that compels him to write!

    Hope the three little Khans are doing well and learning their Tolkein well. 🙂

  46. Always lurking. Happy New Year, Razib (and Godless Capitalist, if you’re still out there somewhere…)!

  48. Randall Ison

    Reader and buyer of some recommended books since 2004.
    I’ve enjoyed your blog in its various forms.

  49. I’ve been a frequent reader since 2011 or 2012 when I started my first job out of college… Now I’m married and am unlurking while on maternity leave with my first child.

    I enjoy reading and thinking about your posts…I have learned a lot over the years. I find I don’t have the time or expertise to comment, but often wish for an in person discussion. Happy New year!

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