I kind of get it in the sense that every academic has to make themselves somewhat comfortable with self-promotion even if they don't like it. It's an important part of getting funding, but putting a blurb like that everywhere just hurts his credibility I think.

I cringe calling it out but it just stood out as it was plastered everywhere and I actually have never seen his links before.

> As to why he now has this on his blog?

He doesn't just have it on his blog, he has it EVERYWHERE. Sometimes 2 or 3 times on the same page.