Weblogs vs. conversation
I know why I like weblogs even more than conversation (argumentative/debate-type conversation). I can read someone's argument, their comments, take the time to understand their POV. Then I can respond. No rapid-fire must-keep-up intellectual discourse. I can fire my retort off days or months later (the usual timeframe for my verbal retorts as well). And in that time I let my thoughts germinate until I come up with a really good response or counterpoint.
Or, I decide they said it best and leave it be.
Works for me!