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In the beginning, it was just Bob and Mickey. The two writer-bloggers wore headsets, peered into the camera, and engaged in what they dubbed a "diavlog," or dialogue-meets-video-blog, while ransacking the day's news. Other pundits from various political viewpoints (though more left-leaning than not) have since agreed (or were coerced) to join in. Related links appear next to each discussion, comments materialize below, and the guests sometimes seem on the verge of simulcast guffaws or cranky fits. Invariably, they then launch into a 25-minute diatribe on the Pentagon or Iraq. The New York Times pegged it as "comfortingly primitive." We agree, and we love it. This should be tediously wonky, but instead it's authentic and interesting and a refreshing contrast to cable news shows. Recently, participants have tackled midterm elections, "partial birth" abortion, Israeli settlers, John McCain, and space exploration. So, here's to the future of diavlogging, may it remain as primeval as it possibly can.

It started with Political NASCAR. The image of Hillary Clinton and Rick Santorum zipped into suits emblazoned with their sponsors' logos rated an immediate spate of emails to friends. The speedway satire also introduced us to the new magazine Good. Officially launched this month, Good aspires to no less than creating "content that matters" for people "who give a damn." And frankly Scarlett, we do. We like the way politics mingles breezily with culture and humor, profiles of punk capitalists jostle with pieces on up-and-coming organic farmers, and 10 reasons one Russian loves America mix with an essay on why you never learned to read. The cleverly titled sections may get too involved in being bright and witty ("Look," "Transparency," "Fieldwork"), but we still settle in to them on our late-afternoon latte breaks. Some of the sections remain print only, but the site (so far) is a treasure trove of stuff that's smart, sassy, and, yeah, good.

On January 7, 2006 in Baghdad, a journalist named Jill Carroll was abducted by Islamist insurgents. For 82 days, Jill lived, ate, and wept under the watch of her captors. When at last she was freed, the world seemed to release a jagged sigh of relief. Now, The Christian Science Monitor, the paper Jill was freelancing for when she was kidnapped, has launched an in-depth site that relates Jill's harrowing tale with all the tools available to the online storyteller. Jill has penned a gripping, and ongoing, account of her experience. Staff writer Peter Grier's description of what was happening simultaneously back in the U.S. intermingles with her report. Video, slideshows, and podcasts supplement the articles. Over time, Jill will give video answers to questions submitted from readers. And her story will continue to take shape. For that reason, we're happy to say again: Welcome home, Jill.