In March, Southern Fried Science experienced a sudden increase in traffic due to the popularity of three highly read articles. Despite this surge, the month ended with over 19,500 visitors, representing a 50% increase from January. Visitors read a variety of old and new articles during this time, including some classic pieces that resurfaced after being dormant for years.
The blog also featured extensive coverage on deep-sea mining, which resulted in a noticeable decrease in traffic after publishing seven consecutive articles on economics and international negotiation. It seems that an unusual article about sulphur pyramids from a decade ago still holds more appeal than more technical topics.
The top ten articles on Southern Fried Science for the month of March showcased a diverse range of topics that reflected the varied interests of readers. Additionally, the blog launched its Big Sticker series as part of its Patreon campaign. This funding has been instrumental in keeping the blog operational for over 15 years by covering server fees and supporting projects such as OpenCTD and microplastics research. The blog also participated in important events like the ISA meetings where diplomats determined the future of ocean exploitation.
