The Feedback System

In chapter 12 of his book We the Media, Dan Gillmor writes:

Blogs and other modern media are feedback systems. They work in something close
to real time and capture -- in the best sense of the word -- the multitude
of ideas and realities each of us can offer. On the Internet, we are defined
by what we know and share. Now, for the first time in history, the feedback
system can be global and nearly instantaneous.

This feedback system is a big reason I got involved in the online world in the first place. I am wondering where it ranks for other people as a reason for them to be pulled into the Internet.