Hi Bernie, I have wondered the exact same thing. There is a lot out there that is quantitative, some of it good, some of it bad. Pew's research gives well researched clues; Forrester Research provides outright clap-trap, but clues nonetheless. I believe this primarily to be a qualitative question. I think what you're getting at is the notion not just of "participation" (although that's part of it), but of "broadcasting" one's identity. What are the motivations that go into this kind of mediated extroversion? Under what circumstance are people less or more comfortable in doing so? In other words, what gives some people the feeling of being "loud" while others being "quiet"? Well I suppose age and gender play a role. I suppose also social groups play a role. I have use the following source before to understand how young people, at least, come to engage with "broadcasting" their identities online: McMillan, S. and Morrison, M. 2006. "Coming of Age On the Internet: A Qualitative Exploration of How The Internet Has Become An Integral Part of Young People's Lives." New Media and Society. Vol 8. 1. best, -s. -- ~~~~~ Sam Ladner, PhD Sociologist Toronto