[vfinn]

I have thought along similar lines, and I think one's own abilities determine the places you end up :), meaning that the more one knows, the more likely one will end up in deep conversations with deep thinking people in sites or situations that are buried in the net and/or in life out there. I'm pretty sure I'm excluded from these events :D.

edit: but on the other hand, it's quite easy to get in touch with famous and brilliant people if that's what you like, so... if you have something interesting to say, maybe you'll get somewhere that way.