Dave Winer’s words couldn’t be more true.
They’re supposed to seek out people, to interrupt repeating and droning.
The people with the awareness and attention need to be the ones exploring and discovering those hidden on the edges instead of continually droning about themselves and their own ideas. This pushes the idea of sustainability for everyone, not just a select few. The idea is to share what you have gained with others around you, so that the entire “village” prospers and grows instead of just you.
This is why search engines are such popular and powerful points on the Web. They point away from themselves.