Derek Powazek on the inherent serendipity of linkage:
Tracking hits is like watching a butterfly and trying to explain chaos theory. First you have to write something on a timely topic, and you have to write it well. Then other people have to read it, like it, and link it, leading more people to repeat the process. All of which depends on so many separate people taking individual action, it’s difficult to imagine any way to have done it all on purpose. (And a little ignoble, to boot.)