[kevinalexbrown]

When people suggest this is a stupid idea, I think there's a profound misunderstanding of how enticing exclusivity is.

Not everyone gets to send a piece in to the NYTimes, the WSJ, the National Review and get it published as an op-ed. But for someone in political science or macroeconomics it's definitely a status symbol. Note that anyone could just as easily put something on their own blog. In fact, many people who regularly send in pieces do publish on their own blogs. People who have much larger fan-bases, power, and immediate influence than almost anyone in tech still seem to find value in spending a few hours writing a piece for no profit, no ad revenues, no pictures next to their name. Larry Summers, who was the head of arguably the most gate-keeper-ish institution in the nation still wanted to get his views published in the WSJ.

Tech people may not view these venues as worthwhile for their field. What then, is the prestigious place to have your content featured? I think Svbtle could be that. If you own something every influential person wants to be featured in, that would be huge. You'd be a gatekeeper of ideas.

[jberryman]

But the NYTimes et al. are exclusive because they've earned respect and have a genuine history of excellence, not the other way around. I'm sure "svbtle could be that" for something, as long as that something is inherently vapid and mediocre.

[heartbreak]

That's the problem with Svbtle. You can't just "be" that. You have to earn it.

[tptacek]

Says exactly who, and with what evidence?

[heartbreak]

Well I account for respect on a personal level so the answer is me. Other readers may behave the same way, and they could also feel that respect is something which must be earned.

As for evidence, plenty of research has gone into respect and credibility, particularly as they relate to leadership.

http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=leadership+credibility

[jmcqk6]

By jove, I think you've got it!

[jrabone]

I don't have a problem with curation; Sturgeon's Law goes double for blogs, and I'd be happy to have someone else filter the crap. It's not like it won't find somewhere else to get published or self-hosted. Honestly, the way some people are reacting to this you'd think the government just passed a law that meant if you didn't use Svtble you got the orange overall treatment :)