You know, I still think there is a much wider range of blogging dynamics taking place than that perception of individual author as self-referential lets us access. To me, the idea that an author has that degree of control over the reception of their writing seems as misplaced as the optimism that linking develops a more reciprocal and conversational culture. Surely in many versions of blogging practice linking is as much about distributing or attributing negativity as much as positivity?

But I do like your notion of textual neighbourhood. I’d love to hear you develop that more. It really helps me think about why proximity in an actual physical location doesn’t necessarily equate to a desire for collegiality, let alone friendship. On which - with no irony of course - I will have more to say on my blog!