Some folks in the policy/research business may still wonder what's the big deal with blogs? Here's part of the answer, courtesy of columnist Michael Kinsley.

"What floored me was not just the volume and speed of the feedback but its seriousness and sophistication.

"Most interesting, though, is how the Web enables people who are scattered physically around the globe, who share an interest in a topic as naturally uninteresting as the economic theory behind Social Security privatization, to find one another and enjoy a gabfest. Webheads like to call this phenomenon "community." I used to think that was a little grand and a little misleading. Populist electronic conversation mech- anisms like blogs and Web bulletin boards are more about the opportunity to talk than about the opportunity to listen. But that may be true of physical communities as well."

Kinsley posted to several blogs (he does not have his own) "My contention: Social Security privatization is not just unlikely to succeed, for various reasons that are subject to discussion. It is mathematically certain to fail. Discussion is pointless."

And generated a lot of interest - see Tech Central Station and feedback.

See also Kinsley's take on the episode.