I was watching so I could announce FP’s reaching the 6,000,000 views mark. Then my attention wandered and now we are over 6,040,000.
About the time I found out we’d passed the 6,000,000 mark, I saw a somewhat backhanded acknowledgement that we’ve had some impact. But as with many things on the net, what started out a simple pleasure became complicated and a bit unpleasant. Apparently a lot of people took the remark that FP has soured the profession to leave out other immense efforts to do so. (That is snark!) In addition, the very premature celebration of Brian’s loss of power and importance started up again.
So now back to a deflated feeling, let me give you the urls that added up, I thought, to something funny.
It starts with BL’s repeating a letter:
http://leiterreports.typepad.com/blog/2014/08/have-blogs-been-good-for-the-philosophy-profession.html
And it ends with Jaded PhD very funny interpretation of the letter:
http://philosophysmoker.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-answer-is-yes-some-of-them-have-been.html
Only now we have an Intro or two from Jaded, along with interim comments in bold, who appears to have been very severely chastised. And, of course, it would be very wrong to write out the last 40 or so years’ of feminist struggle for women in philosophy. I didn’t for a minute think Jaded was doing this. And nothing could be farther from the intentions of those writing for FP.
Celebrations about Brian are in the comments.
As Dr J, my partner, often says, But you’re dealing with philosophers! You know what to expect.
Feminist Philosophers 
Congratulations! Although I don’t always agree with everything posted here, I think the overall impact of this blog (and allied efforts, like “What is it like…?”) have been salutary for the profession, as have the debates this blog helped spark.
Congrats on the 6 million hits! I sincerely hope that FP keeps “having a deleterious effect on the balance of power in the profession!”
(Just a note about the late additions to the post [glad it was amusing!]: I wasn’t chastised except, perhaps, by myself. After coming across the poll late at night, writing the post in a tired haze, and waking up refreshed from my rage-sleep, I almost convinced myself BL was being trolled. Then, remembering discussions with acquaintances about their efforts in the past, pre-blogosphere, to have a “deleterious effect on the balance of power in the profession,” I thought it worth acknowledging (in the abstract) their efforts and successes in “having a deleterious effect on the balance of power in the profession.” As a defensive person, I also wanted to head off certain expected criticisms. As you point out we know what to expect when dealing with philosophers!)
Jaded, welcome. I’m so glad your chastisement was self-inflicted and anticipatory.
I’ve been so glad to be able to turn to PS when things look bleak.
What can you expect for exposing the family secrets of a pretty sick family?
JS, many people agree with your use of that metaphor. Since I read your comment, I’ve been asking myself why I don’t embrace it. I think it may be in part because I’m still fighting. I hope you are too. Even those quite disenfranchised may find a place on an APA committee. Or a local philosophical soc. Or by aligning oneself with another dept.
Best wishes!
Brian, thanks so much. My sense is that philosophers of genuine good will can reach very valuable agreement. I think that has happened between your blog and ours, though not always. I do hope the possibility will remain open.