They are a way out of thinking about folk and blues music not an aid towards thinking about folk and blues music.

They are a way of being community. They keep people around and checking back frequently who otherwise would check back very infrequently, and then far fewer of the actual music questions would get answered in a timely manner. Also I believe far fewer of us would hook up in real life if all this were were a "Q and A" site about music.

People are not just vehicles for the creation and delivery of music.

Alex