Blogs through history

The Economist notes:

WHERE do you go when you want to know the latest business news, follow commodity prices, keep up with political gossip, find out what others think of a new book, or stay abreast of the latest scientific and technological developments? Today, the answer is obvious: you log on to the internet. Three centuries ago, the answer was just as easy: you went to a coffee-house.

then offers lots more historical context. (Via Instapundit)

Here’s an old mumbling of mine about the continuities between blogs… European coffee-houses… and salons and newsletters in pre-1789 France.

More history: an old post comparing Instapundit to Socrates.