All good points. We are all in one way or the other biased.

I feel the act of examining is important in that it exposes, “to the light of day,” results of actions that may or may not be intentional or wanted. Sometimes this in it’s self can bring about small changes. Thanks!

That A-Listers (or whatever you want to call them) feel a little bit of class bias and don’t want to be bothered with opinions of regular “peasant class” bloggers. I’m sure some feel defensive in the same way wealthy folks might, wondering about the various agendas — the “What do they want from (princely) me?”

It doesn’t even need to be malicious. It could simply be a matter of disinterest in what the little people might have to say. Bloggers aren’t immune to benign feelings of self-importance.

Then there’s the social circle aspect. If the A-list bloggers are peers, then they pay attention to each other. The rest of us are not peers.

Then there are the gender aspects. After all, guys don’t link (in an overgeneralized way), and then wonder about their biased perspectives.

It’s all rather unexamined, and people with privilege are very good at avoiding examination of those privileges. It’s not a conspiracy. It’s human nature.

Hummm…”serious critiques.” We’ll then, that leaves me out and free to say whatever I think. I think probably the “conspiracy” consist of an accepted mode of behavior by those selected few. Or a conspiracy based upon the “right” structure, dynamics, and social system…..results are the same.

Agreed that it can poison the well.

It poisons the well.

You have a valid point…what’s worst than a z-lister acting like an a-lister! LOL But then if you look at any of my other post you will see that if anything I probably over-link…if that’s possible.

Besides, I see myself as more of an observer in this issue. There’s obviously some deep seated resentments here built up over time. I don’t have the blogging time to seriously participate. With so many posting who do I choose to link to? All or none, and I happened to choose none.

Enjoyed your post.

“In all honesty, this subject matter has generated some of the most well thought out and well written post I‚Äôve read recently. Educational! I‚Äôm not linking to any of them because there are too many to even begin.”

Ummm … what?!?

Don’t you think you just might be engaging in the exact same kind of behavior that the conspiracy theorists are talking about? In other words: appropriating the ideas of others while refusing to credit them with a link?

In other news, yes, I’m one of those who have posted on this tempest in a teapot:
http://www.sparkplug9.com/bizhack/index.php/2006/08/16/a-lister-conspiracy-theories-and-dreams-of-easy-success/