Orac is the nom de blog of a (not so) humble pseudonymous surgeon/scientist with an ego just big enough to delude himself that someone, somewhere might actually give a rodent's posterior about his miscellaneous verbal meanderings, but just barely small enough to admit to himself that few will. (Continued 
My adopted alter ego may be nothing but a computer played by a box of colored blinking lights, but those few who are actually familiar with the 30 year old British SF TV show that featured Orac beginning in the last episode of its first season know that Orac is an arrogant and vain computer. Given that, how could I fail to notice a couple of accolades that came my way last week.
First off, on Friday, Respectful Insolence was included in a list of top skeptical blogs, along with Science-Based Medicine, NeuroLogica Blog (which Steve Novella informs me is down due to excess traffic and a really idiotic ISP that just shut him down rather than charge him more or give him a warning), Quackwatch, Skeptic Blog, Skepchick, and Pharyngula, and Richard Wiseman Blog. Whoa.
Then, earlier in the week Eureka Zone included Respectful Insolence in its list of the Top 30 Science Blogs.
Too many accolades can go to the head of even a cranky computer.
Finally, before I sign off, I know I promised I'd try to leave the Wakefield case alone next week, but AoA and NaturalNews.com posted some stuff that I may not be able to lay off of. If I am weak, I ask your indulgence for one more day on Monday.
Medicine & Health
Comments
Congratulations, Orac! You deserve some positive recognition. Go on and bask in it.
Posted by: han | February 7, 2010 10:35 AM
Congratulations.
The Eureka Zone list, however, is seriously flawed with the inclusion of the anti-science blog "Watts Up With That?" (something which many people point out in the comments)
Posted by: Kristjan Wager | February 7, 2010 10:52 AM
Oh, geez. I didn't notice that. Since I only occasionally blog about AGW denialism, I'm not up on all the AGW denial blogs.
Posted by: Orac | February 7, 2010 11:01 AM
HostPapa has committed fraud if they shut down NeuroLogica for excessive traffic. Their web site clearly and plainly states in multiple places that they provide "Unlimited Bandwidth" and "Unlimited Disk Space".
This makes me wonder if their "Green Web Hosting" proclamations are also a scam.
Posted by: Paul Hutch | February 7, 2010 11:07 AM
HOORAY!!! :) Congratulations. And, for the record, I don't mind you staying on top of the Wakefield stuff. Your attention to the antivaxxers is one of the top reasons I love this blog. It gives me a one-stop information place to send people who have not yet drunk of the kool-aid, but are beginning to be worried by the shrieks of the infectious disease promoters.
Posted by: The Perky Skeptic | February 7, 2010 11:12 AM
Never bored by the anti-vaccine posts. We need more ammo b/c the stupid is burning all over the place.
Posted by: mekei | February 7, 2010 11:33 AM
Love the antivax postings. My son has ASD and is FULLY immunized. Work with some people who are rather wooish....and it gives me great ammunition to argue back against their crap.
Thanks for that and Congrats!
Posted by: nlgirl | February 7, 2010 11:49 AM
Hey, it's your blog, you choose the topics. As long as AoA, et al, keep the stoopid coming, you are right to get your circuits in a twist and fire back.
Posted by: Anthro | February 7, 2010 11:51 AM
Orac, blink away in glory.
Posted by: ursa major | February 7, 2010 11:59 AM
Egomania? Solipcism? Vainglorious *auteurism*? Grandiosity unimpeded by higher cortical activity? Actually, those are accurate descriptions of pseudo-scientists skewered by Orac-who illustrates that science fiction belongs in BBC shows, not in medical practices and universities.
Posted by: Denice Walter | February 7, 2010 12:06 PM
Congratulations, chief! You work hard and are exhaustively committed to combating pseudoscience and trying to protect people from their own biases and credulous thinking. You are most deserving of such recognition. Well-done, good sir.
Posted by: Abel Pharmboy | February 7, 2010 1:57 PM
Congrats! It was also good seeing you on the Huffpo Stagliano thread.
Posted by: WildK | February 7, 2010 1:58 PM
May you continue to "liberate" people from pseudoscientific woo.
Tamara
Posted by: Tamara | February 7, 2010 2:10 PM
If you're looking for a change from the anti-vaccine claims, I have to recommend looking at http://www.autism-in-the-christian-home.com/hyperbaric-chamber.html. Two types of woo (young earth creationism and autism) for the price of one.
Posted by: Terrie | February 7, 2010 3:17 PM
good on ya, Orac!
as they say in Australia.
And -- it's always a pleasure to see AoA and Adams knocked into a loop, so anytime you feel like shoving some Insolence their way is good with me.
Posted by: DLC
| February 7, 2010 4:03 PM
Off Topic:
Homeopath Jeremy Sherr brings his "Curing AIDS with homeopathy"-wagon into Finland next month. I believe Camilla Sherr is his wife (?)
http://www.homeopaatit.fi/news?id=1407
I hope there will be a bit of a WTF in the media about this here in Finland.
Posted by: Paholaisen Asianajaja | February 7, 2010 6:47 PM
Oh, forgot to congratulate you, sir!
Superb job!
Posted by: Paholaisen Asianajaja | February 7, 2010 6:52 PM
Congrats! Where is the link to the list of skeptical blogs or am I somehow missing it?
Posted by: Marilyn Mann | February 7, 2010 8:18 PM
It is between Quackwatch and Skepchick.
Posted by: Chris | February 7, 2010 8:39 PM
Congrats Orac.
As far as the Wakefield roast, keep it coming. I come here for the autism woo, and stay to see what other fascinatingly awful crap people fall for.
Posted by: Kristen | February 7, 2010 9:15 PM
Congrats on the basking. I
Posted by: FreeSpeaker | February 7, 2010 9:27 PM
Congratulations. Now if you need to just laugh, here's a superb takedown of homeopathy:
http://drboli.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/dr-bolis-press-clipping-bureau-23/
enjoy.
Posted by: Donna B. | February 8, 2010 2:41 AM
Congratulations! Bask away, it's deserved.
Posted by: OleanderTea | February 8, 2010 6:24 AM
I continue to very much enjoy your blog. Thanks for the note on Neurologica's troubles. It sounds like Big Placebo has succeeded in its worldwide conspiracy to silence Dr. Novella. I was part of the traffic, so sorry about that - I should know better than to actually try to read someone's blog.
Posted by: BKsea | February 8, 2010 5:00 PM