I just added a list of the most recent comments on the sidebar...   maybe that will encourage the chatter.  Here's the code for MT/Typepad:  (Thanks Elise)

<div class="module">

<h2 class="module-header">Recently Commented On</h2>

<div class="module-content">

<ul class="module-list">

<MTComments lastn="10" sort_order="descend">

<li class="module-list-item">

<$MTCommentAuthorLink show_email="0"$> on <MTCommentEntry>

<a href="<MTEntryPermalink>#c<$MTCommentID$>"><$MTEntryTitle$></a>

</MTCommentEntry>

</MTComments>

</li>

</ul>

</div>

</div>