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Message from the Physicist

The Ask the Physicist site has become quite popular—the number of visits to the site is now approaching 100,000/month. While this is quite gratifying, it is also frustrating because I run the site alone and there are getting to be more questions than I can handle. There are still nothing at all like 100,000 questions/month and this means that there are a lot of people who just like to peruse my answers; that is also gratifying. I have begun to be considerably more selective in answering questions. My number one frustration is the huge number of questions which are either homework or seeking tutoring from me, I would estimate something like 80% of all questions. Very specific textbook-like problems, questions with imperative statements like "explain" or "show that..." etc., and multiple choice questions, are immediately discarded. Questions which could easily have been answered if the questioner had taken the trouble to look through my FAQ page are usually discarded now. Questions which can be answered succinctly but will not be of much interest to my general audience will not be published but will receive a brief email answer. Above all, I will increasingly be answering questions which I find interesting or fun and think my readers will also. To the many of you who read, learn from, and enjoy the site, thank you. To the few of you who have sent donations, thank you especially!