I find the lack of real debate to be counterproductive too. I think the last time I actually got into a knockdown-dragout with someone with an opposing viewpoint was several years ago.

I have a new web project in the oven that (shhhhhhhhh) is at least nominally multi-partisan.

Why should we expect anything other than echo chambers from blogs? Or rather, more particularly, why should we expect anything other than echo chambers from POLITICAL blogs? Personal blogs are 1000 times more interesting, real, balanced and nuanced than the bumper crop of political blogs that exist. The people that write political blogs have an agenda that is of interest only to those that have the same agenda or those that want to argue. They are ideologues trying to proselytize. Left wing, right wing: who cares? If the point of a blog is to push an agenda, intelligent people will lose interest. Like-minded people will chime in and thus a blogging community is born. But discussion ceases. Those that are trying to create community through blogging will have to forget about labels like right and left. Political bloggers, those pushing agendas (and we know who they are), will have to dropped from the community if the goal is to have healthy discussions about the future of our society.

Hmmmm. Interesting points. One reason I don't read too many lefty blogs, or hard-core right-wing blogs is the shrillness of the discussion. Jay may be correct in that we aren't reading each other much - but that's because I'm not interested in the abuse, rarely any real argument.

The other aspect is 'entertainment'. I've got a highly-connected blog (on the right side, very few left-leaning blogs link) but I have low traffic in comparison to other Mortal Humans at TTLB. I'm mid-20's for links, 270-something for volume.

Why? Because I *do* supress mindless moonbattery from either end of the spectrum. I'm *not* controversial. So, the people who visit me regularly do so because they want to be a part of that community.

For the most part, I try to make everyone welcome - but, let's face it, most left-leaners don't want to hang out amongst the Gun Pr0n and military stuff unless I'll let them shout at me what an asshat I am for wanting to own that stuff, or etc, etc, etc.

It's kind of like the Usenet. Back in the day, when it first got going, it was a fascinating place. Then people discovered you could spam it with porn.

Blogs suffer from verbal porn. It's one reason that big sites like Instapundit don't allow comments, others, like LGF and Kos thrive on the excess.

I just try to keep a low profile, have fun, be polite, and not feed the Moonbats. Of course, it also means I'll never make money or break even, either!

But I kinda like being highly-linked, but low traveled. Because the travelers have a good time.

That is why this wee red is so glad you make a special place for me. I am stunned sometimes how dull it is to agree and support all the time and, conversely, how doing otherwise triggers incivility. I am interested in your interest in your interest not my interest. Did that make sense?

Yes, Alan, it did, in your way. I also let Jack in, too. And Sanger is of course all over the place.

And I'm nowhere near the Freeper people assume I am because of my infatuation with weapons and warfare...

You know I just like the acronyms.

I am because of my infatuation with weapons and warfare

Have you been in military service?

A few weeks ago the folk at Crooked Timber(crookedtimber.org--a progressive minded academic blog) put up a sociology study on blogs and political cross reading therein. I didn't get into it because I just wasn't interested in the subject, but there is some academic activity on the subject if anyone is interested.<p>[Ed.: <i>this one? - or this one?</i>]

Alan, you might want to keep an eye on that John character, he refers to you as a Pet Lefty. I think he is just trying to lull you into a false sense of comfort before he erases your gridsquare (or whatever those artillerists do to markings on the map).

Watch out for ranging shots, anyway. ;-)

Never fear - Tovarich John and I both like thingiskis WWII Sovietski. It is we two who are keeping track of those who are not fellow travellers.