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Who doesn't love positive feedback?

In a Freakonomics post this morning, Ian Ayres notes the high quality of the comments on that blog, but also some dismay at the harsh tone of some. In the comments to that post, Roy Huggins provides an important insight: "It seems that people in agreement are often silent when they need to be noisy." (note: one of the posts Ayres refers to is one in which he discusses gay marriage so it's not hard to imagine that some of the reaction was loud and negative).

On this blog, I don't usually discuss topics that are particularly controversial and I haven't had any comments that I would describe as negative flames. But I have noticed that when reading other blogs, I am far more likely to comment on a post if I want to disagree, or add something that I think is missing, than if I just want to say, "I totally agree." Somehow, it feels like agreement doesn't add as much to the conversation as disagreement. And yet, personally, I love getting comments that let me know someone out there thinks I'm on the right track.

As Steve points out in response to my last post, "one of the greatest benefits of participating in the blogosphere whether writing posts, reading them or leaving comments is the sense of community which develops among participants." Whether you agree with me, disagree or are completely confused by something I've written, I hope that readers here will always feel welcome to comment and respond!
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