View source for Richard Dawkins' loss of influence

[[File:Richard Dawkins in Australia.jpg|thumbnail|300px|right|The [[Elevatorgate]] controversy and [[Richard Dawkins]]' commentary [[Richard Dawkins and Islamophobia accusations|about Muslims]] has generated bad press and public relations problems for Dawkins.]]
[[Richard Dawkins]] is one of the principle founders of the [[New Atheism]] movement which is a form of [[militant atheism]] in terms of its [[rhetoric]]. In recent years, the prominence of the New Atheism movement has greatly waned (see:  [[New Atheism#Decline of New Atheism|Decline of New Atheism]]).  

The [[Elevatorgate]] controversy and Richard Dawkins' commentary [[Richard Dawkins and women|about women]] and [[Richard Dawkins and Islamophobia accusations|about Muslims]] have generated a significant amount of bad press and public relations problems for Dawkins (See also: [[Elevatorgate news stories]] and [[Richard Dawkins and women]] and [[Richard Dawkins and Islamophobia accusations]]). 

== Martin Robbins at ''New Statesman'': Dawkins grasping for attention and relevance ==

''See also:'' [[Elevatorgate news stories]]

In 2013,  Martin Robbins wrote in the ''New Statesman'' concerning the public persona of Dawkins: "Increasingly though, his public output resembles that of a man desperately grasping for attention and relevance..."<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2013/08/atheism-maturing-and-it-will-leave-richard-dawkins-behind Atheism is maturing, and it will leave Richard Dawkins behind]</ref> 

Recently, Richard Dawkins has been reduced to Tweeting provocative Twitter post in order to gain attention.  After the predictable ensuing uproar, Dawkins half-heartedly apologizes for the provocative Tweets.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/21/the-12-stages-of-a-richard-dawkins-twitter-scandal_n_5698443.html The 12-Stage 'Evolution' Of A Richard Dawkins Twitter Scandal], By Paul Vale, The Huffington Post UK, Posted: 22/08/2014 02:06 BST</ref>

== Following of Richard Dawkins has markedly diminished ==

[[File:Rebecca watson portrait 2011.jpg|thumbnail|right|225px|A 2011 portrait of [[Rebecca Watson]]. Watson was a central figure in the [[Elevatorgate]] scandal.  ]]
''See also:'' [[Elevatorgate news stories]] and [[Blog posts on Elevatorgate]]
  
Although his following of Dawkian atheist has significantly waned post [[Elevatorgate]] and due to his generally [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins|abrasive manner]], as noted above, he does retain a small cult following (See: [[Richard Dawkins' cult of personality]] and [[Atheist cults]]).  In addition, Dawkins frequently faces accusations of engaging in [[Islamophobia]] (see: [[Richard Dawkins and Islamophobia accusations]]). 

As noted above, Dawkins is a leading figure in the [[New Atheism]] movement. The movement was called a cult by the [[agnosticism|agnostic]], journalist Bryan Appleyard in a 2012 article in the ''New Statesman'' in which he describes the abusive behavior of New Atheists.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2012/02/neo-atheism-atheists-dawkins ''The God wars'' by Bryan Appleyard], ''New Statesman''</ref> See also: [[Atheist cults]]

=== Decline of New Atheism ===

''See also:'' [[New Atheism#Decline of New Atheism|Decline of New Atheism]]

On November 6, 2015, the ''New Republic'' published an article entitled, ''Is the New Atheism dead?''<ref>[https://newrepublic.com/article/123349/new-atheism-dead ''Is the New Atheism dead?] by Elizabeth Bruenig, New Republic, November 6, 2015</ref>

In 2015, the atheist author Joshua Kelly wrote:
{{cquote|...since the death of Hitchens: angry atheism lost its most charismatic champion.  Call it what you like: New Atheism, fire-brand atheism, etc., had a surge with the Four Horsemen in the middle of the last decade and in the last four years has generally peetered out to a kind that is more docile, [[Political correctness|politically correct]], and even apologetic.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/danthropology/2015/12/uproar-against-dawkins-is-sign-of-new-atheism-retrogression/ Uproar Against Dawkins Is Sign of New Atheism Retrogression] by Joshua Kelly</ref>}}

In addition, New Atheism's abrasiveness/aggressiveness caused it to wore thin over time in terms of its public relations (see also: [[Atheism and public relations]]).

== Google trends data on monthly searches for the term "Richard Dawkins" ==

[[Google]] Trends shows how often a particular search-term is entered relative to the total search-volume. It provides Google search volume data across various regions of the world, and in various languages. 

Below is a Google trends data graph related to monthly Google searches for the term "Richard Dawkins".

[[File:Richard dawkins google trends 9-22-2019 (1).png|thumbnail|800px|center|Google trends data graph related to monthly Google searches for the term "Richard Dawkins".]]

== Initial loss of web traffic to Richard Dawkins's website post Elevatorgate ==
[[File:Richard Dawkins web traffic 12-23-12.png|thumbnail|center|775px|According to the web traffic tracking company [[Quantcast]], the web traffic of Richard Dawkins' website fell in 2012.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/12/2012-has-been-bad-year-for-richard.html 2012 has been a very BAD year for Richard Dawkins's website according to Quantcast]</ref> By October 2014, the web traffic for his website fell to a lower level according to Quantcast.<ref>[http://shockawenow.blogspot.com/2014/10/richard-dawkins-loss-of-influence.html Richard Dawkins' loss of influence]</ref>
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In October of 2012, [[Rebecca Watson]] published a story about Elevatorgate and its aftermath in ''Slate'' entitled, ''It Stands to Reason, Skeptics Can Be Sexist Too: I spoke out about sexual harassment among atheists and scientists. Then came the rape threats''.<ref>[http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2012/10/sexism_in_the_skeptic_community_i_spoke_out_then_came_the_rape_threats.html It Stands to Reason, Skeptics Can Be Sexist Too: I spoke out about sexual harassment among atheists and scientists. Then came the rape threats] by Rebecca Watson, ''Slate'', October 2012</ref>
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The web traffic was measured via [[Quantcast]] which directly measured Dawkins' website traffic via embedded code on his website.<ref name="Quantcast - Quantcast Measure">[https://www.quantcast.com/measure/ Quantcast - Quantcast Measure]</ref>]]

== Web traffic of Richard Dawkins' website has seen a dramatic drop ==
[[File:Richard Dawkins' website traffic.jpg|500px|thumbnail|center|The above graph shows the monthly website traffic to Richard Dawkins' website as of June 22, 2015 in terms of unique monthly web visitors.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2015/06/web-traffic-of-richard-dawkins-main.html Web traffic of Richard Dawkins' main website]</ref>  As you can see above, in 2012, Richard Dawkins saw a very large decrease in web traffic.
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The website traffic is measured via [[Quantcast]] which directly measures Dawkins' website traffic via embedded code on his website.<ref name="Quantcast - Quantcast Measure"/>]]

== Alexa ranking of Richard Dawkins' website ==

''See also:'' [[Alexa rankings of Richard Dawkins' website]]

[[File:Richarddawkins.net alexa.png|thumbnail|center|400px|According to [[Alexa]], Richard Dawkins website lost a large amount of its global market share during to period between 2010 and the beginning portion of 2012.]]
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[[File:Richarddawkins.net alexa 10-2106.png|thumbnail|center|400px|In 2016, Richard Dawkins' website lost a considerable amount of global market share according to the web traffic tracking company Alexa.]]
[[File:Richard Dawkins alexa 2016.png|thumbnail|center|400px|In 2015, Richard Dawkins' website fell in terms of its [[Alexa]] ranking.]]
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[[File:Richard Dawkins Alexa December 2016.png|thumbnail|400px|center|In the latter half of 2016, Richard Dawkins' website saw a significant decline in its Alexa ranking.]]
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[[File:Richard Dawkins alexa feb 2017.png|thumbnail|center|400px|In 2016 and the in the beginning portion of 2017, the global internet market share of of Richard Dawkins' website has been falling according to the web traffic tracking company Alexa.]]
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[[File:Richard Dawkins website Alexa March 2017.png|thumbnail|center|400px|In March of 2017, according to Alexa, Richard Dawkins' website was experiencing a steep decline in terms of its global market share.]]
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[[File:Richard dawkins website alexa April 2017.png|thumbnail|center|400px|In April of 2017, according to Alexa, Richard Dawkins' website continued to experience a steep decline in terms of its global market share.]]
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[[File:Richard Dawkins alexa June 23 2017.png|thumbnail|center|400px|In June of 2017, Richard Dawkins' website continued its trend of a declining Alexa ranking. As of June 23, 2017, Richard Dawkins' website was the 138,009th most popular website in the world according to Alexa.]]
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[[File:Richard Dawkins' website 9-4-2017.png|thumbnail|center|400px|On September 4, 2017, according to Alexa, Richard Dawkins' website was the 133,104th most popular website in the world.]]
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[[File:Richard dawkins alexa 10-27-2017.png|thumbnail|center|400px|On November 27, 2017, Richard Dawkins' website was the 158,206th most popular website in the world. 
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His website was losing global market share in the latter quarter of 2017.]]
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[[File:Richard dawkins alexa ranking 2018.png|thumbnail|center|400px|On November 9, 2018, Richard Dawkins' website was the 190,708th most popular website in the world according to Alexa.
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Compared to 2017, Richard Dawkins' website lost global market share according to Alexa.]]
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[[File:Richard dawkins alexa ranking 11-1-2020.PNG|thumbnail|center|On November 1, 2020, Richard Dawkins' website was the 194,776th most popular website in the world according to Alexa. 
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On November 1, 2020, the daily time on his website for an average web visitor to his website was 1 minute and 36 seconds according to Alexa.]] 
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=== 2021 Alexa rankings of Richard Dawkins' website  ===

[[File:Alexa ranking of Richarddawkins.net on 11-26-2021.JPG|thumbnail|center|1000px|On November 26, 2021, Richard Dawkins' website was the 428,287th most popular website in the world according to Alexa.]]
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== Coverage of Richard Dawkins speaking tour ==

In 2016, the Shadow To Light blog wrote in article entitled ''Fading Dawkins'':
{{Cquote|Dawkins has been on a speaking tour recently in the United States.  On Nov 1 and 2, he had a “public conversation” with [[Sam Harris]].

In the golden years of [[New Atheism|Gnu]], there would have been a couple of news reports about this talk filled with some click-bait quote and I’d probably be blogging about something they said.  But despite Dawkins’ return to the speaker circuit, and despite him teaming up with Sam Harris for two days, I can’t find a single report.  No one outside that theater is interested in what two of the Four Horsemen had to say.

Look, Dawkins and Harris will always have their place among the [[Madalyn Murray O'Hair|Madalyn Murray O’Hair]] crowd.   But as far as breaking out into the mainstream is concerned, the fad has run its course.<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2016/11/03/the-fading-dawkins/  ''Fading Dawkins'']</ref>}}

== Compete.com web traffic data for Richard Dawkins website ==

[[File:Richarddawkins.net uv 1y.png|thumbnail|center|400px|According to the web traffic tracking Compete.com, Richard Dawkins website saw a loss of web traffic during the period between 4/2011 to 4/2012.]]
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== Elevatorgate news stories ==

''See also:'' [[Elevatorgate news stories]]

Below is a list of news stories about the [[Elevatorgate]] scandal which involved [[Richard Dawkins]] and [[Rebecca Watson]]. 

*[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/07/05/richard-dawkins-and-male-privilege/#.VYgS0LZmLUA Richard Dawkins and male privilege] By Phil Plait, ''Discover Magazine'', July 5, 2011 10:30 am

*[http://www.thewire.com/national/2011/07/richard-dawkins-draws-feminist-wrath-over-sexual-harassment-comments/39637/ Richard Dawkins Gets into a Comments War with Feminists] by Caitlin Dickson,'' The Wire'', July 6, 2011 

*[http://gawker.com/5818993/richard-dawkins-torn-limb-from-limbby-atheists Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists]  by Remy Stern, ''Gawker'', July 7, 2011 

* [http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women?] - ''Salon'', July 8, 2011

*[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/24/richard-dawkins-women-chilly-climate Richard Dawkins, check the evidence on the 'chilly climate' for women] by Emily Band, ''The Guardian'', July 24, 2011 

*[http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-15/atheist-sexism-women/50416454/1 Atheists address sexism issues] - USA Today, September 15, 2011

=== Rebecca Watson's article appearing in a news outlet ===

*[http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2012/10/sexism_in_the_skeptic_community_i_spoke_out_then_came_the_rape_threats.html It Stands to Reason, Skeptics Can Be Sexist Too] by Rebecca Watson, ''Slate'', October 2012

=== Subsequent articles mentioning Elevatorgate incident ===

*[http://www.religionnews.com/2014/08/07/richard-dawkins/ Richard Dawkins: Atheism’s asset or liability?] by Kimberly Winston, ''Religion News Service'',  August 7, 2014 

*[http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/09/is-richard-dawkins-destroying-his-reputation Is Richard Dawkins destroying his reputation?] by Sophie Elmhirst, ''The Guardian'', June 9, 2015

== Richard Dawkins and Twitter ==

''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins and Twitter]]

Despite the medical advice of his doctors, Richard Dawkins had a very active Twitter presence before his minor stroke (with a number of Twitter controversies) and numerous public controversies.<ref>
*[http://www.religionnews.com/2016/02/15/richard-dawkins-stroke-due-to-stress/ Richard Dawkins says stroke caused by stress over controversy], Religion New Service
*[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/21/the-12-stages-of-a-richard-dawkins-twitter-scandal_n_5698443.html The 12-Stage 'Evolution' Of A Richard Dawkins Twitter Scandal] by Paul Vale, The Huffington Post UK, Posted: 22/08/2014 02:06 BST
*[http://www.salon.com/2016/01/27/richard_dawkins_delete_your_account_the_prominent_atheist_unleashes_new_islamophobic_assault_partner/ Richard Dawkins, delete your account: The prominent atheist implodes on Twitter (again)], Salon
*[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/15-of-richard-dawkins-most-controversial-tweets_us_56004360e4b00310edf7eaf6 15 Of Richard Dawkins' Most Controversial Tweets], ''Huffington Post''
</ref>   

Dawkins has  accumulated over 30,000 Twitter tweets.<ref>[https://twitter.com/RichardDawkins?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Richard Dawkins Twitter]</ref>  ''The Independent'' reported, "Dawkins also admitted he wasn't very good at managing Twitter and the strong reactions his posts tend to provoke. 'Twitter is very difficult medium to handle,' he said. 'I’m not much of a diplomat.'"<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/richard-dawkins-defends-ahmed-mohamed-comments-and-dismisses-islamophobia-as-a-non-word-10515389.html Richard Dawkins defends Ahmed Mohamed comments and dismisses Islamophobia as a 'non-word']</ref>  However, after his stroke, in May 2016, Dawkins  gave up posting on Twitter and the tweets that appear in his name are done by his staff.<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/affinity/2016/05/26/dawkins-ive-given-up-twitter/ Dawkins: I’ve Given Up Twitter.]</ref>

== Diminishing meme of Richard Dawkins and the rising memes of Jesus Christ and global creationism ==

''See also:'' [[Global Christianity]] and [[Global creationism]]

Richard Dawkins coined the term and the concept of a [[meme]]. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a meme as "an idea, behavior or style that spreads from person to person within a culture."

Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]] told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NtvDErEmBY Shall the religious inherit the earth - Festival of Dangerous Ideas - Eric Kaufmann]</ref> See: [[Global atheism|Decline of global atheism]]

[[Johns Hopkins University]] Press reported in 2014 about [[global creationism]]: "Over the past forty years, [[creationism]] has spread swiftly among European Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Hindus, and Muslims, even as anti-creationists sought to smother its flames."<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2015/03/johns-hopkins-university-press-reported.html Creationism spreading in Europe]</ref> See also: [[Evolutionary indoctrination]]

== Atheists declaring that Richard Dawkins is now a liability to the atheist movement ==

''See also:''  [[Atheism and public relations]]

Post [[Elevatorgate]] and subsequent to his various embarrassing/inflammatory Twitter posts, many atheists are now asking if he is a liability to the [[atheist movement]].<ref>
*[http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/richard-dawkins-atheisms-asset-or-liability/2014/08/07/9f19a7a2-1e58-11e4-9b6c-12e30cbe86a3_story.html Richard Dawkins: Atheism’s asset or liability?] by Kimberly Winston, ''Washington Post'', source: ''Religion News Service'',  August 7, 2014
*[http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119596/appetite-wonder-review-closed-mind-richard-dawkins ''The Closed Mind of Richard Dawkins''], New Republic by John Gray
*[https://twitter.com/jennifurret/status/405391218273554433 Jennifer McCreight on the Twitter about the Elevatorgate scandal]
*[http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/downs-syndrome-girl-passes-six-4095031 Down's Syndrome girl passes six GCSEs as dad calls Richard Dawkins 'an ignorant idiot'], Mirror by By Grace Macaskill, Aug 23, 2014 15:41
*[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/21/the-12-stages-of-a-richard-dawkins-twitter-scandal_n_5698443.html The 12-Stage 'Evolution' Of A Richard Dawkins Twitter Scandal] by Paul Vale, The Huffington Post UK, Posted: 22/08/2014 02:06 BST</ref> 

See also: 

*[[Richard Dawkins quotes]]

== Google search results reflecting Richard Dawkins' loss of public influence ==

[[File:Screen cap about Richard Dawkins loss of influence.PNG|center|1000px]]

== See also ==

*[[Richard Dawkins meme]]
*[[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins]]
*[[Elevatorgate]]
*[[Richard Dawkins and women]]
*[[Decline of the atheist movement]]
*[[David Silverman's loss of public influence]]
*[[Atheism and public relations]]
*[[Instances of Richard Dawkins ducking debates]]
*[[Richard Dawkins and pseudoscience]]
*[[Atheism and cowardice]]
*[[Richard Dawkins, atheist atrocities, and historical revisionism]]
*[[Richard Dawkins' commentary on Adolf Hitler]]
*[[Richard Dawkins and Creation Ministries International]]
*[[Richard Dawkins and the origin of the human eye]]
*[[PZ Myers' loss of influence]]

Essays:

*[[Essay: Questions for Richard Dawkins and his remaining fans]]

== External links ==

*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/richard-dawkins-atheisms-asset-or-liability/2014/08/07/9f19a7a2-1e58-11e4-9b6c-12e30cbe86a3_story.html Richard Dawkins: Atheism’s asset or liability?], ''Washington Post''

*[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/richard-dawkins-atheism-criticism-atheist-study-rice-university-science-scientists-a7389396.html British scientists don't like Richard Dawkins, finds study that didn't even ask questions about Richard Dawkins], ''The Independent''

*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-creation-ministries-international.html The Creation Ministries International meme is growing stronger. The memes of Richard Dawkins are growing weaker]

*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-growing-irrelevance-of-richard.html The growing irrelevance of Richard Dawkins and the rapid growth of global creationism]

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

{{DEFAULTSORT: Dawkins, Richard}}
[[Category: Richard Dawkins]]