Blawging requires one to be a watcher as well as a writer.  Our existence in the blawgosphere does not continue for long if we are isolated from others, and that results in the growth of communities of interest and relationships with others in the blawgosphere.  Within these communities emerge some special individuals who keep them vibrant and alive. 

From my observations, there are really three blawgospheres.  They overlap from time to time, but can be described as distinct from one another and have characteristics that distinguish them from the other two.  Within these blawgospheres, there have emerged wise men and women.  They are respected, even by those who disagree with them.  They didn’t pronounce themselves to be wise men and women,  They never asked for the job.  But by virtue of their intelligence, thoughtfulness, inquisitiveness and integrity, wise men and women they became.

First, allow me to describe the three blawgospheres I know.  First is the academic blawgosphere, which is distinguished by its curiosity and self-deprecation.  Law professors have no cause to drum up clients, and because of this offer pure thought and argument, untainted by the mundane pressures that influence others.

The second is the marketing blawgosphere, consisting of those who have found a tool to convey a message and for whom the tool is omnipresent in everything the blawgosphere offers.  The marketing blawgosphere consists of those whose purpose in joining is to present themselves and their services to the broader world, to offer services needed by those who wish to do so, and to engage in a synergistic existence with everyone else who can help them to achieve their goals. 

While I have been critical of this part of the blawgosphere for its effort to extend its reach into the third blawgosphere, and its refusal to accept the premise that just because the marketing blawgosphere believes itself to be the core, I recognize that it is real, that it serves interests that it believes to be legitimate and that it means to be a helpful and productive part of the blawgosphere, and is integral for many members of the blawgosphere who believe in its purpose.

The final blawgosphere is the practical blawgosphere, consisting of practicing lawyers who write of their legal experiences in the trenches, philosophies, victories and defeats.  They offer a vision of life as a lawyer to be shared with anyone interested.

The title of this post is three wise men, but that’s just a Christmas vanity.  There are many wise men and women that I’ve encountered in the blawgosphere.  Here are some of their names.

Mark Bennett, Dan Hull, David Giacalone, Kevin O’Keefe, Susan Cartier Leibel, Gideon. Mark Draughn, Joel Rosenberg, Carolyn Elefant, Eric Turkewitz, Eugene Volokh, Orin Kerr, Dave Hoffman, Frank Pasquale, Dan Markel, Dan Solove, Ken, Ken Lammers,  Anne Reed, Howard Bashman, Walter Olson, Marc John Randazza, Jim Chen, Charon, Radley Balko, Geeklawyer, Jamie Spencer, Skelly, Jon Katz, Jonathon Turley, Lyle Denniston, Douglas Berman, Scott Henson, David Lat, Niki Black and the departed Norm Pattis.

I’m sure I’ve left some off, because I am not as wise or thorough as those I admire.  Some in this august group I call friends.  Some don’t even know I exist.  Some have linked to me regularly, while other have not and never will.  Some have said nice things about me, and others have expressed nothing but disdain. 

My appreciation of wise men and women bears no connection to what’s in it for me, and I have no expectation of gain for putting someone onto this list.  It is the list of people whom I believe are wise based on my observations.  It is not a list of people with whom I necessarily agree or wish to curry favor.  They certainly do not need someone like me to put them on a list, as my list is of no consequence to what they bring to the blawgosphere.

The blawgospheres have expanded and contracted over the past year.  Some changes present interesting challenges to its ongoing existence and vitality.  Much as there are wise men and women, there are many fools.  The fools desire prominence for their own ends, and present one of the greatest challenges to the blawgosphere, as they want the wise men and women to be fools as well, so that no one will notice how foolish the fools are.  The wise men and women will simply continue to do what they do for as long as it seems worthwhile.

It’s an honor to be a part of the blawgospheres, and the blawgospheres exist because of the wise men and women who have made it a place worthy of being.  Thank you for your efforts, which have allowed me to contribute my small piece.