Comments vs Forums
DataGirl got me thinking....
Most every blog includes a comments section. The thing is, it is almost never used (with the exception of Chris Sells' blog that is). I think this has a lot to do with the format. It is more of a "bathroom-wall" approach than a discussion forum.
Maybe we should borrow a concept from the blog's older cousin, the Rant Site, and use actual forums instead (each post is then linked to a discussion thread)? They do lend themselves to more of a community than the standard comment system we use today.